In a bold departure from traditional educational norms, Forest Hill College in Burwood East has embraced a conversation-based approach to learning, propelling the school into Victoria’s prestigious “30 club” for the first time. This club comprises schools achieving a median study score of 30 or above in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), a benchmark of academic excellence.
Joining Forest Hill College in this elite group are Ballarat High School and Damascus College, both located in the regional city of Ballarat. Forest Hill College, a modest state secondary school, attributes its success to fostering a culture of listening and dialogue, which has seen its median VCE study score rise from 29 to 31 in 2024.
Conversation as a Catalyst for Success
Acting principal Nicky Buckingham credits the school’s emphasis on open communication between students and teachers as a critical factor in their academic achievements. “We encourage students to discuss their academic goals with teachers, which leads to more meaningful conversations and a clearer understanding of where they stand in their learning journey,” Buckingham explained.
Forest Hill’s top student, Jennifer Schutz, achieved an impressive ATAR of 98.15, with 16 percent of her classmates also scoring above 90. Buckingham believes that this success is partly due to the school’s approach of continuous dialogue and feedback.
“When we’re talking to students about their academic outcomes, those conversations are having a bit more depth, and there’s more interest in those conversations with the students,” Buckingham said.
Ballarat High School: A Focus on Teacher Development
Meanwhile, Ballarat High School has also seen significant improvement, breaking through the 30 median study score barrier after years of hovering at 29. Principal Stephan Fields attributes this success to the school’s commitment to keeping teachers’ skills current and relevant.
Fields emphasized the importance of regular meetings among VCE teachers to discuss assessment, moderation, and feedback. “Our aspirations also lie in terms of pushing it even higher,” Fields noted. “We will be working closely with students to ensure continuous improvement as a teaching staff and as a school.”
Damascus College: Celebrating Diverse Pathways
At Damascus College, principal Steven Mifsud highlights the school’s dual focus on both academic and vocational pathways. This inclusive approach, which awards duces to students in both streams, is rooted in a strong emphasis on literacy from year 7 to 10.
“For the last three to five years, we’ve had a really strong focus on literacy, building up high expectations for our learners and being really clear about classroom practice,” Mifsud said. The school also benefits from a comprehensive coaching program for teachers, which includes regular meetings to refine educational strategies.
Implications and Future Prospects
The success of these schools underscores a broader trend in education towards more personalized and communicative teaching methods. As schools like Forest Hill College, Ballarat High, and Damascus College continue to innovate, they set a precedent for others aiming to elevate their academic standards.
Looking ahead, these institutions are not resting on their laurels. With aspirations to further improve their median study scores, they are committed to refining their educational approaches and fostering environments where students and teachers can thrive.
The journey of these schools serves as a testament to the power of conversation and collaboration in education, offering a model for others to follow in the quest for academic excellence.
