About Eastside Lutheran College
| Philosophy & Aims |  |
ABOUT US
Eastside Lutheran College is situated in a bush land setting of some 14
hectares with magnificent views of the Derwent River and Mount Wellington.
The school is centrally located being only two minutes from the Mornington
roundabout and ten minutes from the Hobart CBD. The placement of the campus
at its current site was to provide the opportunity for Christian education
to people who lived on either side of the river.
Eastside Lutheran College (originally named St Peter’s Lutheran School) was established in 1982 by the congregation of St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hobart as part of its Christian outreach to the wider community. Its original location was in the house next to the church in Davey Street. In 1985, as enrolments increased, the school moved to its new premises on the East bank of the river and has been more recently known as Eastside Christian School.
At the end of 2002 the School moved towards offering a complete secondary curriculum and in November 2004, it was decided to change the name to Eastside Lutheran College.
Eastside Lutheran College is a school of the Lutheran Church of Australia and its development is overseen by the South East Regional Director, Dr Ken Bartel. Eastside Lutheran College is a thriving, dynamic, outward-looking community that learns and lives according to the school’s motto ‘Christ Our Rock’.
Live in harmony with one
another.
(Romans 12:16)
Students at Eastside Lutheran College can link into the global community through our comprehensive information and communication technology facilities. From researching via the internet, to communicating through email with students in other countries, our students have access to the world’s learning community and its extensive resources to extend their knowledge in exciting and valuable directions. We are committed to ensuring that our students have ready access across the full curriculum to leading fibre-based technology, as an integral part of preparing them for lifelong learning.
Our students are encouraged to develop an awareness
of the needs of others through regular involvement in charities and fundraising
activities. Raising money for various relief projects, and being involved
with Australian Lutheran World Service are examples of the many activities
that have been enthusiastically undertaken by our students, as they participate
with care and compassion in the world’s wider community.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM
Eastside Lutheran College established an Environmental
Education Programme in 2005. Middle and Upper Primary classes will focus
on environmental studies for the whole year. The entire school is also
involved in a waste management programme, which consists of green waste
recycling and classroom paper reuse and recycling.
Eastside has recently established a paper reuse and recycling system.
This system is maintained by students who have been delegated as recycling
monitors from each class. The paper reduction system relies on separation
of paper suitable for reuse as scrap paper. This paper is used by the
students to make paper which is then made into books, cards and other
paper products. Surplus paper is collected and reused by Collex Recyclers
for recycling.
All food scraps from the school are recycled in a compost and worm farm.
Students from the Grade 2/3/4 class manage the worm farm.
The College is also involved in many different environmental activities
and competitions during the year. This includes Clean Up Australia Day
and the Clean Up Australia Day Poster and Poetry Competition, the Clarence
City Council Water Conservation Poster Competition, Collex/Visy Recycling
Schools Challenge, Planet Ark Tree Planting Day, Clean-up, Green-up, Sanctuary
in Australia Competition, the Mitre 10 Junior Landcare Grants, Hall of
Fame and more!
Middle and Upper Primary students, with the help of parents, have planted
native plants around the school. These plants were donated by parents
and by the Clarence City Council for participating in their Water Conservation
Poster Competition.
Middle Primary students manage the school's Recycling Centre. This area
is used for the collection and storage of reusable materials, such as
cardboard boxes and plastic bottles. These items are also used by students
for art and craft classes.
Aims
The purpose of Eastside Lutheran College is to provide a caring, safe and stimulating Christian environment in which high educational practices provide all students with the opportunity to strive for excellence. The teachers, parents, students and congregation actively collaborate to ensure every child is provided with the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential.
A Community of Learning Excellence
Our school has a comprehensive curriculum catering for a dynamic community of learners. We are committed to equipping our students with vital knowledge and skills for lifelong learning.
Young people are faced with daily change as they move from childhood towards young adulthood, and their learning needs become more demanding. Through our curriculum structure, we seek to establish strong links between what is taught in the Primary School and the Middle School, so developing a continuum of learning from Prep to Year 10. We embrace the philosophy of middle schooling at Eastside, a philosophy attuned to the needs of young people who are both uncertain about and yet keen to discover their growing potential. Our Middle Years Program has its emphasis on:
> a holistic and balanced approach to educating
the person
> integration of learning experiences
> developing independent learning skills
> the growth of the individual learner through recognizing differences
in learning styles and needs.
The Areas of Learning – Language A (English); Language B (Japanese); Mathematics; Science; Arts; Humanities, Technologies, Physical Education; Christian Studies. This curriculum focus provides our students with the breadth and depth they need in their learning experiences.
Special Education
Eastside Lutheran College provides for students whose learning requires particular assistance in both the Primary and Middle Schools. We have a Special Education teacher on staff who provides the necessary help through the Literacy and Numeracy Support Program. The Special Education teacher coordinates the programs of students with individual needs, and teacher aides also assist with bringing about positive learning outcomes in the classroom.
A teacher affects eternity;
teachers can never tell
where the influence stops.
Based on Henry Brooks Adams
A Caring Community
Because your child is a unique gift from God, we are committed to helping you nurture your child’s growth and development, through our school’s integrated and active Pastoral Care Program that affirms the gifts, talents and unique needs of every student.
Our Pastoral Care Program begins at the Home Class level. Every student is a member of a small and distinct group headed by a Home Class teacher who acts as the first point of contact for the important partnership between you, your student and the staff in our school community. Home Classes meet every morning, and our Home Class teachers take the time to listen to and guide the students in their academic, spiritual, social and emotional care. Our school chaplain oversees the spiritual care and growth of our students as they move through the crucial stage from childhood to young adulthood.
A morning devotion is held in Home Classes each day and on Thursday morning, we meet together in our chapel. Eastside Lutheran College is committed to a Christ-centered spiritual education for students. Beginning each day with worship and reflection promotes a uniquely calm, caring and purposeful atmosphere. The chaplain and Home Class teachers provide confidential guidance and care for our students.
Extensive care and support for our students are also available when they are making important decisions regarding their future educational and vocational pathways. Home Class teachers, the Chaplain, subject teachers, the School Coordinator are all available to provide guidance and information when these decisions must be considered.
Because we value partnerships, we encourage parents to become involved in the various groups which contribute to the School. Our Parents and Friends Association is an active body of people which makes valuable contributions to the School’s development.
Without a sense of caring,
there can be no sense
of community.
Anthony J. D’Angelo
A Community of Wholistic Learners
At Eastside, we believe education for lifelong learning extends well beyond the traditional classroom boundaries and we encourage our students through a variety of programs to immerse themselves in the wider community, showing interest and care while broadening their horizons and experiences.
As an extension of our Physical Education curriculum, we actively encourage our students to take part in our sporting program. We have coaches in the area of netball, basketball, soccer, hockey and tennis. Local clubs offer representative sport in all areas of interest for students.
Each year, Eastside students organise and participate in a variety of clubs that extend their interests and talents beyond the classroom. Clubs offered have included chess, robotics, computer games, school newspaper, music groups and choir. Students can negotiate with staff to establish and manage new clubs.
Students have entered the various competitions provided on a state and national level. We have produced the top students in Tasmania in the areas of Computer Studies, Mathematics and Science. We have also had several medal winners in the national competitions, as run by the University of New South Wales.
Citizenship comes first
today in our crowded world
No person can enjoy the privileges
of education and thereafter with a
clear conscience break their contract
with society. To respect that contract
is to be mature, to strengthen it is
to be a good citizen, to do more than
your share under it is noble.
Based on Isaiah Bowman