For over 130 years, we have explored, developed, learnt and become experts in girls’ education. At Genazzano, we take pride in preparing girls for their life journey of learning now and beyond school. We know and understand girls and as a result, our programs support our students in developing into adaptable, confident and courageous young women.
Our curriculum is innovative, life changing and deliberately designed for girls; and together with our co-curricular offering builds resilient, independent young women who strive to reach their fullest potential in all areas of life.
At Genazzano, we continue in our aim to develop the whole person, to nurture honest citizens with integrity and to prepare our students to strive and succeed in a world that is ever-changing.
Creative Arts
The Creative Arts Program is an exciting and vibrant part of College life, as well as an essential part of a well-rounded education. Creativity and design are critical to assist students develop their ability to problem solve and be creative thinkers.
The Program
Students in Prep to Year 8 are taught Art as a compulsory study, taught by highly trained and specialist teachers. The diversity of the program can be seen regularly in displays and exhibitions of student work throughout the College. Students will be exposed to a variety of learning opportunities across a range of mediums and materials, including:
- Ceramics
- Painting and drawing
- Collage and mixed media
- Construction
- Textiles
- Design
- Printmaking
Student outcomes reflect the Victorian curriculum standards and are designed to encourage the development of essential skills, knowledge and techniques.
Students in Years 9 to 12 are offered a number of electives that relate to the Visual Arts including photography, painting, drawing, visual communication design, media studies, textiles and fine art. Students can choose a number of these electives at Year 9, then specialise in Years 10, 11 and 12 if they wish to choose a pathway into any of these fields.
Subjects offered at Years 9 and 10 expose students to subject specific learning outcomes and allow them to be able to make informed choices in their VCE study program.
Highly trained and specialised teachers have created a learning environment for students to excel at VCE level.
Studios
Our Creative Arts curriculum and resources are critical in the development of our students, and as such, we have specialist classrooms that provide students with the perfect environment for their work. We have specialist textiles, media studies and visual communication and design studios as well as several multi-purpose art rooms that allow the students to paint, create, sculpt and sew their creations.
In early 2020, the College celebrated the completion of stage one of its Visual Arts refurbishment.
The three-month building development transformed part of the old building into a modern work of art, boasting open plan areas that support our teaching pedagogy and encourage cross curricular in the Arts.
The integrated design adjoining the different rooms allows students to use a variety of studios to create their work and caters for a comprehensive Arts program that exposes students to different subjects including Studio Arts, Art, Visual Communication Design, 3D Printing, Ceramics and Art Production.
With interactive screens and ergonomic furniture, the space is available from Year 5 up and includes four new arts rooms—a Ceramic room, Studio Arts room, Senior Art room and Junior Art room, in addition to staff offices and a dedicated VCE art workspace, available during their study periods.
A light, bright and welcoming space, the new area is conducive to collaboration and communication between teachers and students, with a larger space for moderating folios or conferencing and benches for easy interaction.
Exhibitions
Genazzano holds an annual VCE Graduate Art Show in The Madeleine Centre for Music and The Performing Arts. It showcases the many folios and final works of the Year 12 graduating class. Many of our students have had great success in showcasing their work at Top Designs and Top Arts in recent years.
Ongoing exhibitions showcase work in the College breezeway, Our Ladies’ Hall and the Furlan Exhibition Space.
For ELC to Year 4 students, we hold the ‘Les Jeunes Artistes’ art show. The Grange Hill corridors and spaces become adorned with our young artists’ work.
Each year, our Year 9 students develop an ‘Art for a Cause’ exhibition.
Photography work is made available for purchase as part of fundraising for a cause that the students select through their awareness of world events and social justice program.
Drama
Drama is a subject that engages body, mind and spirit in a dynamic and creative way. At Genazzano, we prepare students for the future by requiring that they think creatively, collaborate and plan to timelines while enhancing their literacy and confidence.
The Program
The Drama program provides students with an exemplary education in all aspects of drama, theatre production and performance. Along with a solid grounding in the History of Theatre, it includes current trends in contemporary practice and exposure to the Performing Arts industry in Australia and the world.
Specialist trained teachers lead classes from Prep to Year 12, with both Drama and Theatre Studies at Year 10 and VCE. There are curricular performance opportunities at all stages of learning, along with co-curricular performances with both St. Kevin’s and Xavier Colleges.
With access to two purpose-built theatre spaces, the intimate Wardell Theatre and the state-of-the-art Montagner Auditorium, Genazzano students have a host of opportunities for hands-on learning. Students write scripts, design costumes, create sets and stage lighting, participate in specialist workshops, and experience the thrill of collaborating with peers to create performances they are proud to be a part of!
Languages
Genazzano has had a long tradition of offering students the opportunity to excel in the study of languages other than English. We strongly believe in making language come alive for our students. Students are immersed in the study of a language from the early years of learning, through to an advanced VCE level.
The Program
Our language programs challenge students to:
- acquire communicative skills in the languages studied
- reinforce a deeper appreciation of their own language
- increase awareness and understanding of other cultures.
Biannual language and cultural tours and exchange programs with schools in China, Italy and France further support and enhance these aims.
Curriculum
Early Learning Centre (ELC)
In ELC, Chinese (Mandarin) is introduced.
Junior School
From Prep to Year 4, students experience lessons in both Chinese (Mandarin) and Italian, using a gestural-based approach.
In Year 5 to 6, students may choose to learn Chinese (Mandarin) or Italian, in a more formal, academic manner.
Senior School
In Year 7 to 8, students choose two languages from:
- French
- Italian
- Latin
- Chinese (Mandarin)
In Year 9, students must maintain at least one of their chosen languages from Years 7 to 8.
Genazzano offers a unique Immersion Day Program for Year 9 students, allowing them to experience language and culture in an authentic setting and context.
In Year 10, the following languages are offered as electives:
- French
- Italian
- Latin
- Chinese (Mandarin)
In Years 11 to 12, the following languages are offered as Units 1 & 2 and Units 3 & 4 studies, respectively:
- French
- Italian
- Latin
- Chinese (Mandarin) (Second Language and Second Language Advanced)
Physical Education
Physical Education is a vital aspect of the curriculum at Genazzano and important to student wellbeing. Our state-of-the-art sporting facilities and generous grounds provide an abundance of space and opportunities for students to be involved in all aspects of Physical Education, aiding to improve their skills and fitness levels.
Genazzano’s facilities include a state of the art Physical Performance Centre, large oval, open grassed areas, 25m indoor heated pool, six tennis courts, six netball courts and an indoor gymnasium complex.
Curriculum
At all stages of learning, Physical Education at Genazzano aims to:
- Emphasise skill learning through basic instruction
- Provide fun and enjoyment for all students to foster their growth, fitness and development
- Provide excitement and challenge, a sense of achievement and opportunity for success
- Provide expert instruction to enable the acquisition of knowledge and skills
- Provide opportunities for the utilisation of skills at a level appropriate to each student’s maturity and ability
- Offer encouragement to participate actively in a wide range of sports and recreational activities, in a pleasant and safe environment, both as individuals and in groups
- Endorse the principles of good sportswomanship by developing respect for the ability of team mates, opponents and officials
- Ensure that thoughtful, sensitive and positive adult guidance is always present
- Enable students to share in leadership and decision-making roles
- Create an awareness of the value of physical fitness and of life long recreational sport
- Provide the opportunity to make meaningful decisions about the use of leisure time
- Enable all students to achieve high standards of learning and self-discipline, to develop self-confidence, optimism, responsibility and a sense of community.
Co-curricular
GSV Sport, Saturday Netball, Rowing, Snowsports, Gymnastics and recreational sports are some of the co-curricular activities Genazzano offers.