Schools that Excel: Melba College hits the high notes
Aaron Sykes believes in quality public education and a relentless focus on the things that matter in schools.
Mr Sykes is principal of Melba College, a slightly disadvantaged school in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs.
The Age has awarded Melba College its 2021 Schools that Excel government school winner for Melbourne’s east. Students Harry Pearson, Hser Tin, Gemma van Rooy and Thang Zathang, L to R, and assistant principal Allirra Scott with acting principal Matt Lee.Credit:Eddie Jim
Melba was born in 2013 from a merger of Croydon and Maroondah secondary colleges and has juggled multiple campuses and years of noisy construction.
When Mr Sykes joined the school in 2018, he sought to improve student results by “having that relentless focus on the things that matter″.
“In 2019, the focus was really on structural reforms in the school and what was important for us as a school community. And ultimately, that was for us to focus on literacy and numeracy.”
The school also broadcast its high expcectations. “We stress that success is not defined by a student’s postcode,” Mr Sykes said.
Melba College student Hser Tin, assistant principal Allirra Scott, Gemma van Rooy, assistant principal Luke Ventieri, Thang Zathang, acting principal Matt Lee and student Harry Pearson.Credit:Eddie Jim
Melba replaced couches with formal study areas and introduced five lessons a day instead of four.
It also brought in sport, dance and drama, music and STEM programs for years 7 and 8, and comprehensive course counselling for year 10s.
Prior to COVID, Melba halved school fees and supplied students with Chromebook laptops.
Mr Sykes said: “We absolutely value public education and we believe that we should be supplying those essentials for our families. It was the case of the crystal ball on that one.”
Melba achieved its best VCE results and VCAL completion rate last year despite Victoria’s lockdowns and long periods of remote learning. Enrolments are rising and Melba College is a step closer to becoming a school of choice.
The rise in its median study score, to 29 from 25 in 2013, has led The Age to name Melba College its 2021 Schools That Excel winner in the government school category in Melbourne’s east.
You can view the full list of winning schools, and explore the data for your high school using this year’s Schools that Excel dashboard:
Mr Sykes said during almost two terms of remote learning in 2020, the school focused on the learning and wellbeing of its students.
“Our VCE student didn’t miss a lesson, we ran every single lesson online … and that cohort of students achieved the best median score in our school’s history.“
Student Hser Tin said, “I think it’s because it’s small we have a bigger sense of community.
“I have a lot of friends across year levels as well, and we all get along and know each other.”
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