FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Since we are a brand new school, there are no doubt many questions you would like to ask. Here are just some of the ones we have already been asked (if you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us):
Where exactly is the campus?
The campus is on Level 12 at 55 Swanston Street. This building houses a number of different educational facilities, including Hales Institute. Why are you located in the CBD?
Three reasons: easy access via public transport, the ability to make use of city facilities such as museums, libraries and art galleries, and to create a business like professional atmosphere in which students will be treated as young adults. Where will students play?
There are some passive recreation areas within the building. For more active students, we will escort them to nearby areas such as the City Square to enable them to “stretch their legs”. Will you have all the facilities of other schools?
Since our emphasis is not on sport or extra-curricular activities, we will not have extensive ovals or swimming pools or performing arts centres. However, we will have all the facilities necessary for teaching the core curriculum, including computers, audio-visual equipment and other teaching resources. Will you offer all year levels up to VCE?
Yes. We will start with Year 7 in 2009 and then add one year level at a time, so that our first graduating class (the Year 7s in 2009) will complete Year 12 in 2014. Who is behind Keating College?
Unlike many other private schools, we are not run by a religious group or a mysterious business consortium. We have been set up by the Keating family as a service to education. Keating College Ltd is registered as a public company, limited by guarantee. ACN: 128 628 151 ABN: 87 128 628 151 How will your standards be higher than other schools?
Several different ways. Firstly, in most subjects, the general pattern will be completing all the usual curriculum in three terms and then spending the final term on extension and enrichment. Secondly, we will be testing regularly and reporting this back to parents twice per term. We will also be encouraging students to take part in international competitions and urging students to strive for excellence in every piece of work. What is the difference between this and “acceleration” programs offered at some high schools?
A lot. Acceleration simply means going faster – most of these programs push the students through more quickly, covering the six years of secondary schooling in four or five years. This does not enable the students to master the content thoroughly and does not enable them to extend their understanding beyond the standard curriculum taught at all schools. Also, students who take part in these programs finish Year 12 at fifteen or sixteen years of age and are often not ready socially or emotionally for university yet. We believe that extension and enrichment are a much better way of ensuring students understand the work thoroughly and have time to reflect on their learning. What is tested in the Placement Test?
The Placement Test takes two hours to complete and has four sections: reading, writing, mathematics and general ability (logic, science, civics etc.). It is based on actual primary school curriculum and is not theoretical IQ based testing. Do you have to be an A+ student to get in?
No, you don’t. Of course, we welcome A+ students, but we don’t expect everyone to be that good already. You just need to be at least reasonably good at your work and interested in improving your standards. And you need to be able to pass our Placement Test. As a new school, are you sure you will be able to attract good teachers?
Yes. We believe many teachers will jump at the chance to work in an environment where the emphasis is on learning and there are no commitments to Saturday sport or constant after school meetings. We have already put together a fantastic team for our first year. If the students are just concentrating on the core academic areas, won’t that be boring?
We don’t think so. Even though the emphasis will be on academic work, rather than sport or “fun” electives, that doesn’t mean it will all be hard slog. There will be some time for relaxation and socialising and a program in both “Physical Arts” and “Creative Arts”. How can I find out more?
Ring or send an e-mail. Ask to meet the Head and discuss any questions you have with him. After all, deciding which school to send your children to is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
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