Cape Naturaliste College opened in 2008 and was built in Vasse to accommodate the students from Dunsborough, Vasse and West Busselton Primary Schools. The College serves a fast growing region of the South-West, renowned for its natural beauty, tourism and wine industry and continues to attract local development.

 

The College’s first building stage is set on 8 hectares of its grounds and offers a warm, welcoming and modern environment for students and parents alike. It has a unique teaching space design and supports the teaching and learning needs of its students through its Learning Communities. These ensure a wide range of learning styles and teaching and learning approaches that focus on individual needs and the attainment of personal excellence and direct students to acquiring knowledge, skills and community values for the future.

Underpinning this is a strong focus on a strong and supportive pastoral care system. The high level of pastoral care is supplemented by the support of a chaplain and a school psychologist. The students will progress from the middle school approach in years 8 and 9 to a senior school model for years 10, 11 and 12.

 

The college’s culture has a commitment to the core values that are essential in creating a fair, equitable, tolerant and compassionate society. These core values are an integral component of the curriculum. A positive learning environment is clearly evident when moving around the college and observing the interaction between all members of the college.

Teachers use research and access professional development to ensure that they are able to provide sophisticated and relevant learning experiences in a variety of contexts and through the development of technology. Their planning delivers an integrated and relevant curriculum across all Learning Areas. The staff culture is a strong role model for students, as it exemplifies a commitment to ongoing learning and action research. On occasions, off-site specialist staff, located in tertiary learning institutions and industry, provides cutting edge expertise to enhance student learning.

Our strong involvement in community partnerships provides students the opportunities for real-life learning, enabling our students to be engaged in relevant, meaningful and enterprising learning experiences. The community is providing opportunities for learning both by sharing their expertise directly as part of the college curriculum or in context outside the classroom.

Cape Naturaliste College welcomes parent and community contribution to college life, both on a formal and informal basis. Through the educational programs, there is a merging of the community and college boundaries. Parents have a clear understanding that they are welcome at the college and are encouraged to discuss issues or concerns with the staff. The college fosters a strong working relationship with agencies that deal with youth issues to provide a full service for the students.