A NEW CONCEPT IN EDUCATION

The Melbourne City School, a new concept in education and a bold initiative of ELTHAM College, was officially launched at the Melbourne Town Hall on Monday 16 June, 2008. The launch received heavy national media attention and was attended by over 120 guests including the Lord Mayor, John So, Melbourne City Councillors, and representatives of the business and wider community.

Proceedings were opened by one of ELTHAM’s six College Captains, Belinda Sharrock who spoke of the importance of student voice and collaboration at ELTHAM College. She said, ‘It's no surprise that some of the key players in the ELTHAM Board's decision to support this new school were my predecessors, last year's College Captains. Student voice, I know, will be a large part of the Melbourne City School, from the youngest up.’ The Lord Mayor, John So, and Harold Mitchell, Chairman of the Mitchell Communication Group, one of the founders of ELTHAM College and founding benefactor of the Melbourne City School jointly launched the new school.

John So made the important link between the new school and Melbourne’s future as Australia’s knowledge capital. Harold Mitchell acknowledged ELTHAM College as an education innovator. He also directed attention to the way in which global cities had used their ‘docklands’ to rejuvenate their cities, particularly their CBDs and he linked this to development of Melbourne as a global city and the significance of relevant 21st century schooling to deliver it education needs.

In his address, David Warner, CEO of the Melbourne City School reflected on the importance of schooling in contributing to the growth and future success of Melbourne in the global knowledge economy through the development of skilled knowledge workers. He foresaw that the Melbourne City School would follow ELTHAM College’s lead as a model of schooling transformation for the 21st century. He said: ‘I feel very proud that ELTHAM College, established as a new vision of schooling in 1974, has led the way with the launch of the first truly CBD school for families of today.’

Located in the heart of the Melbourne business precinct, the Melbourne City School program will set new standards in learning, across traditional literacy and numeracy areas and in the fundamental 21st century skills based around creativity, self management and problem solving, emotional intelligence and self esteem.

In addition the school has been conceived to meet the lifestyle needs of families whose lives centre around the city, residentially, professionally, or both. The greater convenience of a city based school location will enable parents to spend extended quality time with their children at the beginning and end of the school day. A key feature of the school will be the seamless link between care and schooling and the opportunity for flexible hours and holidays. The school will operate from 7am-7pm, five days per week, 52 weeks a year so that each family can personalise schooling to their needs.

The Melbourne City School Prep to Year 4 junior years campus will open in 2009, with plans for a middle years campus in 2010-2011 and a senior years campus in 2012.

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