Melba Copland Secondary School

Contact the Principal Michael Battenally Phone: 02 - 62057622 Fax: 02 - 62057629 Email: michael.battenally@ed.act.edu.au

Principal's Message Amalgamating to form a single Year 7 to 12 school in 2008, Melba Copland Secondary School continues to build upon the proud traditions of Copland College and Melba High School in developing young Canberrans to think critically as independent learners. Our success across academic, vocational, sporting and cultural programs continues with 80% of our students who achieved a University Admission Index in 2008 accepting admission offers into the Australian National University, Canberra and the University of Canberra. The Fast PACE program caters for high achieving students in year 7 to 10. Fast PACE implements best practices in educating motivated, talented and hard working students in their intellect, achievement and social development. Entry into this program is by application and interview. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is taught at the Senior Campus and is aimed at year 11 and 12 students. The IB Diploma is widely recognised by the world's top leading university and tertiary institutions. Students may seek admission into selected leading universities with entrance being based on their IB grades. This is an exciting time for our school community. The merger of a separate high school and college into a single school twin campus model places us in the very best possible position to cater for the personal, social and learning needs of our students while easing the transition process from high school to college. Our high school and College staff meet constantly to develop programs designed to help individuals to achieve their full potential in their transition from year 10 to year 11. The student as an individual matters to us. We have in place a year 7 – 12 Pastoral Group (PG) program that ensures that every student has a teacher to whom they can go to for help, assistance and guidance. The PG program plays a significant role in promoting the personal and social development of each student as they strive towards individual pathways to success. Our students are encouraged to establish relationships based on respect, tolerance and a healthy attitude to life and society. At MCSS, teachers are implementing the Quality Teaching Model (QTM). This framework supports the elements of good teaching to ensure improved student outcomes, particularly in relation to academic rigour, classroom environment, curriculum significance and relevance. Melba Copland Secondary School offers students a modern and well resourced learning environment. Both campuses have undergone significant refurbishments over the last year. Facility upgrades include: Senior Campus A new Performing Arts Centre including Music and Dance facilities A new Performance Theatre Student Welfare/Services Suite Junior Campus: New Office Administration Centre Performing Arts upgrade for Music and Drama Student welfare suite Two new Science Laboratories A new IT Lab Parents play a vital and crucial role in each student's success. We are committed to maintaining effective communication so as to ensure that parents are well informed of each student's progress. Parent participation is welcomed in various forums including the Parents and Citizens Association and the School Board. I look forward to working with the staff to provide the challenge, support and positive environment for the success of every student. I wish you success in your studies. Michael Battenally Principal

Contact the Principal

Michael Battenally

Phone: 02 - 62057622
Fax: 02 - 62057629
Email: michael.battenally@ed.act.edu.au

Principal's Message

Amalgamating to form a single Year 7 to 12 school in 2008, Melba Copland Secondary School continues to build upon the proud traditions of Copland College and Melba High School in developing young Canberrans to think critically as independent learners.

Our success across academic, vocational, sporting and cultural programs continues with 80% of our students who achieved a University Admission Index in 2008 accepting admission offers into the Australian National University, Canberra and the University of Canberra.

The Fast PACE program caters for high achieving students in year 7 to 10. Fast PACE implements best practices in educating motivated, talented and hard working students in their intellect, achievement and social development. Entry into this program is by application and interview.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is taught at the Senior Campus and is aimed at year 11 and 12 students. The IB Diploma is widely recognised by the world's top leading university and tertiary institutions. Students may seek admission into selected leading universities with entrance being based on their IB grades.

This is an exciting time for our school community. The merger of a separate high school and college into a single school twin campus model places us in the very best possible position to cater for the personal, social and learning needs of our students while easing the transition process from high school to college. Our high school and College staff meet constantly to develop programs designed to help individuals to achieve their full potential in their transition from year 10 to year 11.

The student as an individual matters to us. We have in place a year 7 – 12 Pastoral Group (PG) program that ensures that every student has a teacher to whom they can go to for help, assistance and guidance. The PG program plays a significant role in promoting the personal and social development of each student as they strive towards individual pathways to success. Our students are encouraged to establish relationships based on respect, tolerance and a healthy attitude to life and society.

At MCSS, teachers are implementing the Quality Teaching Model (QTM). This framework supports the elements of good teaching to ensure improved student outcomes, particularly in relation to academic rigour, classroom environment, curriculum significance and relevance.

Melba Copland Secondary School offers students a modern and well resourced learning environment. Both campuses have undergone significant refurbishments over the last year. Facility upgrades include:

Senior Campus

A new Performing Arts Centre including Music and Dance facilities
A new Performance Theatre
Student Welfare/Services Suite

Junior Campus:

New Office Administration Centre
Performing Arts upgrade for Music and Drama
Student welfare suite
Two new Science Laboratories
A new IT Lab

Parents play a vital and crucial role in each student's success. We are committed to maintaining effective communication so as to ensure that parents are well informed of each student's progress. Parent participation is welcomed in various forums including the Parents and Citizens Association and the School Board.

I look forward to working with the staff to provide the challenge, support and positive environment for the success of every student. I wish you success in your studies.

Michael Battenally
Principal