Secondary School - Carrum Downs | Flinders Christian Community College

Secondary School is where students identify and develop their passions, gifts and strengths to pursue the pathway best suited to them. Our aim is to support our students on this journey and help them develop both a sense of purpose and Christian character.


Co-Curricular Programs

We offer Secondary Students a stimulating Co-curricular Program of camps, excursions and extra-curricular activities that will provide many challenging opportunities for personal development. Our Secondary School teachers also provide pastoral, academic and careers guidance to help students to fulfill their personal goals.


Years 7 - 9

All children have different learning needs from each other. Grouping by ability or achievement is a form of instructional management that can be used in conjunction with accelerated progression, differentiated curriculum and coaching interventions to improve the learning outcomes for all students. This is the essence of the Matthew Flinders and Navigators Program in Years 7 and 8.

The Navigators Program consolidates learning and builds upon fundamentals, to equip students with the knowledge and skills that will maximise their options for Year 9 and beyond.

The Matthew Flinders Program presents highly academic students with deeper, inquiry-based, age-appropriate challenges.

Both programs conclude at the end of Year 8 enabling all students to select from the full range of options in Year 9.

Matthew Flinders Program Overview

The Matthew Flinders Program contains accelerated content, thoughtfully planned and relevant enrichment activities, teamwork with peers of similar ability, and access to mentors who have high levels of academic expertise.

Matthew Flinders students are required to maintain a high academic standard across Mathematics, Science, English and Humanities. The will also participate in National Mathematics, English, Science and History competitions and other events which provide suitable extensions of their skills and interests.

Application to the Matthew Flinders Program starts when prospective students are in Grade 6. Applicants are invited to undertake tests in Mathematics, Comprehension, Writing and General Ability. These tests, along with feedback obtained from school reports, form the basis for determining which program best suits the applicant.

If your child is currently attending Flinders, please contact the Grade 6 Coordinator for advice. If your child currently goes to a different school, please contact the Enrolments team at the College on 9785 0000 or email enrolments@flinders.vic.edu.au.


Year 9

The Year 9 Program is designed to build learning capacity and equip students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes essential to success in their final years of Secondary School.

Students will undertake Morrisby testing and interviews with staff to help identify career pathways and assist with elective subject selection.

Students can select from a wide range of combined Year 9/10 elective subjects to facilitate both personal interest and study pathways, as they progress toward their final years of school.

Years 10 - 12

Flinders provides excellent facilities to support your child in their studies and transition to university and / or work life. In Year 10, capable students have the opportunity to accelerate into VCE subjects, whilst also having a choice of electives (including VET Taster courses). Year 10 Mathematics and Science classes are also streamed in order to provide contextually relevant learning opportunities for students of different interests and ability levels.

In Years 11 and 12, students are on individual journeys where they will be able to select subjects that satisfy their gifts, interests and personal goals for life after school. We provide access to a growing variety of courses leading to tertiary education or the world of work.

The College offers both VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education ) and VCE-VM (Vocational Major) pathways. Through partnership with other schools and TAFE institutions, these pathways can be combined with a broad range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses.


VCE Studies

During Year 11 (Units 1 and 2), students will complete twelve VCE Units over the course of the year – six in each semester.

At Year 12 level (Units 3 and 4), students will complete ten VCE Units – five in each semester. Units 3 and 4 studies are designed as a sequence so they will need to complete both units.

If VCE students have an interest in vocational study we can connect students with their chosen VET course at local TAFE institutes.


VCE Vocational Major Studies

The VCE Vocational Major is an applied learning program within the VCE, completed over a two-year period. The VCE VM allows students more flexibility to pursue their interests in an applied learning environment. VCE - VM will begin to replace the VCAL programme from 2023.

VCE VM Students will undertake 16 - 20 units of study over two years, including a minimum of four VCE Unit 3 & 4 sequences (or more) in their learning programme. Structured workplace learning and VET courses also form part of the VCE VM programme.


School TAFE Alliance - Chisholm Trade Training Centre

The School TAFE Alliance for Regional Training (START) is a partnership between 12 local schools including Flinders Christian Community College, and Chisholm Institute, that aims to provide Vocational Education and Training (VET) and other pathway options for young people.

Located on the grounds of the Frankston Campus of Chisholm Institute, the START Trade Training Centre (TTC) was officially opened Friday 8th May 2015. It was purpose built to accommodate local skill shortages with flexibility in design to allow for pathways of the future.

START prioritises work towards activities that engage all consortium schools, and focuses on industries that are experiencing skill shortages and high job prospects. Emphasis is placed on helping students gain skills and knowledge to enhance employability and assist them in their lifelong learning journey.