Curriculum
St Leonard's was the first school in Victoria, and second in Australia, to offer theLocation
St Leonard's College is located in Brighton East, Melbourne, Australia. The school is in close proximity to Port Phillip Bay and 11 kilometres south east of the Central Business District.Facilities
Facilities include a performing arts centre, systems engineering centre, theatre, Visual Arts Centre, music centre, Junior, Years 5 and 6, Middle and Senior School buildings, Junior School STEM laboratory, two libraries, modern sports centre with heated indoor swimming centre, gymnasium, dance and aerobics studio, basketball and netball courts, playing fields and multipurpose sports courts.Leonardian Centre
The Leonardian Centre is a giant beehive-shaped theatre located in the centre of the school grounds. Opened in January 2021, the theatre features an auditorium (seating up to 600) with a half fly tower housing a curtain rigging system and lights, and an orchestra pit. Behind the theatre is located an agora with a large screen and an outdoor stage approximately 30 metres in diameter. The theatre was designed with inspiration from theTechnology
St Leonard's College has a "bring your own device" (Hart Theatre Company
In 2012, St Leonard's College launched the Hart Theatre Company, named after long-time drama teacher Roma Hart. The college hosts five productions a year: a year 5/6 musical, Middle School play, Middle School musical, Senior School play and Senior School musical. Recent productions have included ''Hairspray, Doctor Dolittle, Peter Pan, Romeo & Juliet, Mulan, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Wizard of Oz, Annie,'' ''Oliver!, The Ruling Class, Invisible Friends, Barnum, Amadeus, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Bugsy Malone, Wind in the Willows, Sweet Charity'' and ''Beauty and the Beast''. Hart Theatre productions have consistently been received with critical acclaim, with the company and individual performers and directors receiving nominations and awards from the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria. The 2012 production of ''Barnum'' was awarded Junior Production of the Year and Direction of a Junior Production and was also nominated for Musical Direction of a Junior Production, Junior Male Performer in a Leading Role and Junior Female Performer in a Leading Role. In 2013 the Hart Theatre Company made history by winning Junior Production of the Year for a second year straight, this time for its production of ''Sweet Charity''. The production was also awarded Junior Female Performer in a Leading Role and was nominated for Direction of a Junior Production, Musical Direction of a Junior Production, Junior Male Performer in a Leading Role and Junior Female Performer in a Supporting Role. In the same year the Middle School production of ''Beauty and the Beast'' was awarded Junior Male Performer in a Supporting Role and was nominated for Musical Direction of a Junior Production. Elsewhere in the performing arts, other performances relating to private drama and VCE/IB examinations are held. Students also have the opportunity take private speech and drama lessons and complete AMEB speech and dramas exams.Music
A highlight of the music calendar is the House Music Competition, an event held annually for students in years 5 to 12. Held at The Plenary, each house presents two massed choir pieces, a small vocal piece and a small instrumental piece. Specialist judges from other schools are invited to select a winner in each category and overall. There is a multitude of other opportunities for students to be involved in music education and performance. Students from years 5 to 7 are required to learn an instrument, while private music lessons are offered onwards. Students are provided with the opportunity to join multiple ensembles, including orchestras (SLSO and STL Pops), choirs (Middle and Senior School), bands (Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Band, and Concert Band), and numerous other specialist ensembles. As well as involvement at college events and assemblies, St Leonard's students have many opportunities to perform as part of music tours and competitions. Each year, St Leonard's College students perform at Generations in Jazz at Mt Gambier, a competition for school ensembles from around the country. Students also have the opportunity to participate in music tours to Europe, the United States and Japan. The St Leonard’s College Big Band achieved 1st place in the premier division of the Victorian All-State Jazz Championships in 2021 and 2022. 14 of the band members were awarded a place in the all-star band in 2021.Sport
In years 5 and 6, St Leonard's students participate in the Coeducational Independent Primary Schools Sports Association competition, competing in a range of team sports against other coeducational independent primary schools. Although the sport program at St Leonard's is not seen as a priority for the college administration, nor is St Leonard's well known for its sporting prowess, students are mandated to join a sporting team up until year 11. The college is part of the Association of Coeducational Schools (ACS) sport competition which involves other independent co-educational schools around Melbourne. All students from years 7 to 11 are involved in the ACS and it is optional for Year 12 students. Students participate in a range of team sports, through the summer and winter seasons, as well as the carnival sports of cross country, swimming and athletics. St Leonard's College also has a community sport program, providing a number of opportunities for students, parents, staff and alumni to be involved in sport and fitness activities. Yoga, aerobics, gymnastics, adventure racing, surf ski paddling, cheer sports and triathlon are some of the activities available. There are also community basketball and netball clubs and a touch football group. In 2014 the sailing team won the Victorian Schools Team Sailing Championships for the seventh time, and also regularly competes at the National Championships. The Hawkes Sport Centre has a large indoor pool, tennis courts, aerobics room, gym, multi-purpose hall and change rooms. The college also has outdoor hard courts and an oval.ACS carnivals
* Athletics (9) – 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2014, 2018, 2019, (2020 and 2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19)2022 * Cross-Country (11) – 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2014, 2015, 2016 * Swimming (11) – 2000, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022ACS premierships
St Leonard's has won the following ACS premierships. Combined: * Beach Volleyball (4) - 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 * Touch Football (6) - 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021 Boys: * Basketball (7) - 2001, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021 * Cricket (3) - 2012, 2014, 2016 * Football - 2016 * Hockey (3) - 1998, 2020, 2021 * Soccer (3) - 2003, 2009, 2014 * Softball - 2020 * Tennis (2) - 2006, 2019 * Table Tennis - 2022 Girls: * Basketball (3) - 2004, 2011, 2012 * Football - 2019 * Netball (11) - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 * Soccer (4) - 2004, 2013, 2019, 2020 * Softball (5) - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2019 * Tennis - 2015 * Volleyball (7) - 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2020, 2021Social responsibility
The St Leonard's College community is also involved in a range of social justice activities. The College aims to support children and education in local, national and international settings. Since 1992, St Leonard's College has been involved in Bangladesh, funding and building three schools. Each year, senior students organise a Bangladesh Dinner to raise funds for the ongoing operational expenses of these schools. The college also supports schools in Timor Leste and Nepal. All year 9 students complete local service activities as part their experiential learning program – CUE (Community, Urban, Environment). The CUE program culminates in Big Experience trips, in which year 9 students take part in an international journey to a country in South East Asia, with the exception of 2022, when all trips were too Australia or New Zealand due to COVID-19. During 2020 and 2021, these trips did not occur. These trips have a strong emphasis on global sustainability and community service. St Leonard's students are also involved in fundraising for a range of charities and awareness programs, for example Shave for a Cure, Relay for Life, Amnesty International and Uniting Church social justice programs and camps.Outdoor education
Outdoor education is compulsory for students in years 3 to 10. Students attend year level camps at the college's dedicated campsite, Camp Ibis, located on the Gippsland Lakes where they take part in a range of adventure activities including sailing, mountain biking and canoeing. There is also a voluntary Outdoor Education Extension Program. Students can elect to take part in adventure camps, white water rafting, adventure racing, snowsports (primary to year 12) and hikes (years 10 – 12). In 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016 the St Leonard's College adventure racing team won the national Hillary Challenge, an interschool competition which tests basic outdoor skills and competencies.Talent development
St Leonard's College has a dedicated Talent Development Coordinator who runs an extensive program allowing highly able students to participate in activities includingNotable alumni
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