Fintona has approximately 600 students from the Early Learning Centre to Year 12. There is one class per year level from Prep to Year 4, two classes in Years 5 and 6 and three classes from Years 7 to 12. Fintona has always been, and will remain, a school with smaller class sizes.
In keeping with the educational philosophy of the School, class sizes are small, usually under 20 students in a class. With the extra attention we provide in a small school environment, our senior girls consistently achieve among the highest VCE and NAPLAN results in Victoria.
Fintona is organised into four areas which reflect the intellectual and physical developments of the girls. These are:
|
Early Learning Centre |
Kindergarten programs for three and four year olds |
|---|---|
| Junior School | Prep to Year 4 |
| Middle School | Year 5 to Year 8 |
| Senior School | Year 9 to Year 12 |
| Early Learning Centre | 8.45am to 3.00pm |
|---|---|
| Junior School | 8.30am to 3.15pm |
| Middle School | 8.30am to 3.30pm |
| Senior School | 8.30am to 3.30pm |
Yes, out of hours care is offered at an additional cost in the ELC and Junior School. Before school care is from 7.30am to 8.45am, and after school care is from 3.00pm to 6.00pm.
Our Learning Support staff member works either in the classroom or with staff to modify, adapt or alter work for students at either end of the learning spectrum. Unlike many other schools, we try to withdraw students from the classroom as little as possible. We encourage able students to join in groups working on consolidation or revision so that students can see learning as a continuum rather than identify intelligence as a finite and set commodity.
Year levels can vary tremendously in terms of availability. Therefore, we recommend securing your child’s place as early as possible. To place your child on a waiting list or to enrol, you will need to complete our Application Form.
| Girls in girls’ schools achieve significantly stronger academic results than any other group in Australia. |
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| Girl-centred learning means all subjects are taken up and none are seen as boy or girl subjects. |
| There is a greater sense of connectedness – listening, helping and accepting others’ point of view. |
| All the leadership roles are filled by girls. |
| Girls see strong female role models and understand that they too can achieve successful outcomes from their own efforts. |
| All activities are open to girls: they participate, influence and lead. |
| In an all-girl classroom, girls take on all roles in the group. |
| Girls thrive and excel in collaborative teams. |
| Teachers can match their teaching to the way girls learn and develop their courses to suit girls’ needs. |
| Girls can work through the challenges of adolescence without fear of embarrassment or harassment. |
| Promotes active student participation in a wide range of cultural and other activities in groups and teams. |
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| Enhances the learning environment of the School where girls in classes are individualised and can work co-operatively with each other and the teacher. |
| Develops interpersonal relationships and communication within the whole community. |
| Promotes enhanced and active pastoral care. |
| Assists in maintaining a warm, harmonious, vibrant and productive environment for teachers. |
| Succeeds in producing high calibre students whose academic results consistently place them in the top schools in the state, and it develops strong personal and interpersonal skills. |
No. Fintona offers a full range of academic subjects across all disciplines, including three languages. Our results at Year 12 suggest a strong success rate in a diverse range of areas.
Use the links below to view the subjects available at Fintona:
Fintona offers three languages: French, Japanese and Latin. Students at Fintona take French from Prep to Year 6 and. In Years 7 and 8, all students study two of the three languages offered. In Year 9, students continue to study at least one of their languages and many choose to retain both. Most students continue with at least one language right through to Units 3 and 4. Many girls also study a language outside school and they can then sit their examinations in these languages on the School campus.
Physical Education is a compulsory part of the curriculum from Prep to Year 10. Senior students in Years 11 and 12 participate in a recreational sport program once a fortnight offering a diverse range of activities. Some of these include badminton, swimming, rock climbing, spin class, tennis and ice skating.
Competitive interschool sport is facilitated by the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) competition for students in Years 4 to 6. This competition includes other independent girls’ schools and local primary schools from the Booroondara region. In Years 7 to 12, students compete in the Girls Sport of Victoria (GSV) competition which includes 24 independent girls’ schools within Melbourne. There is a diverse range of teams and sports for girls to choose each involving one training session during lunchtime and a weekly (home or away) match after school.
The Outdoor Education program covers Years 1 to 10 and includes a developmental program of skills, including co-operation, co-ordination and survival. We are also involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, which operates in the Senior School, and its forerunner for the Middle School – the Compass Award scheme.
We believe students learn best through conversation and personal interaction. Digital technologies are seen as learning tools and are integrated into the curriculum where relevant.
Senior LOTE students can participate in exchanges to France and to our sister school in Japan. Study tours to France and Japan run in alternate years and the World Challenge trip is also offered every two years. All our overseas exchanges and trips are optional and are an additional cost.
Fintona offers a rich music program which includes Junior and Senior Choirs, various string, wind and percussion ensembles, a chamber orchestra, Senior Orchestra and several quartets.
There is a play each year for all students from Years 5 to 12, and a Years 3 and 4 musical every alternate year. With our productions, we aim to be inclusive and showcase the talents of as many students as possible both on and off the stage.