Matthew Flinders Anglican College promotes academic excellence, inspires intellectual curiosity, expects personal accountability and instils a genuine passion for learning.
OUR MISSION is to empower and equip our students to develop the skills and character to achieve academic excellence and become lifelong learners while contributing positively in the wider world.
OUR SECONDARY SCHOOL provides a rigorous academic program, a diverse and extensive co-curricular program across sporting, cultural and recreational activities, and opportunities to develop as leaders.
Flinders staff are deeply committed to ‘know’ young people and to create the optimal conditions to inspire their wellbeing, learning and growth.
OUR SUB-SCHOOLS are committed to age- and stage-appropriate teaching, learning and wellbeing across the Junior Secondary School (Years 7 and 8), Middle Secondary (Years 9 and 10) and Senior Secondary (Years 11 and 12).
OUR APPROACH to learning is underpinned by the understanding that students must feel valued, supported and experience a sense of belonging within every learning environment.
Junior Secondary School
(Years 7 and 8)
Junior Secondary School at Matthew Flinders Anglican College is more than just a transition from Primary to Secondary School. It coincides with a period of change in young people, that can be both challenging and exciting, in which they adjust to new roles, identities and expectations.
Adolescents of this age have the need for purpose, empowerment, independence and success and as such, our practices are collaborative, outcome-based and centred on the learner. Our educators are guided by the principles of RAMP (Relationships, Agency, Mastery and Purpose) to shape high-quality teaching and learning experiences for every student to thrive.
Middle Secondary School
(Years 9 and 10)
Year to RISE: Award-Winning Year 9 Curriculum
How can we inspire our Year 9 students to engage in their learning, experience authentic opportunities and grow through challenges?
This question sparked our award-winning program, the Flinders Year to RISE, which launched in 2023. It empowers our Year 9s to ask questions, seek solutions and take action, leveraging their curiosity by striking a balance between knowledge development and inquiry.
All subjects are taught through a conceptual lens, centring around the broad ideals of sustainability, inclusivity, diversity, environmentalism, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.
This innovative approach readies students for the demands of Year 10, engaging students in the big issues the world is facing and encouraging them to play an active role in seeking solutions. Year 10 serves as a pre-Senior, preparatory year where the foundations of the Senior Curriculum are laid. Students consider their future pathways and are counselled into the senior courses that will best serve their needs and interests.
Follow the Year 9 Year to RISE journey here.
CARING ENVIRONMENT
Our Secondary School is a caring and welcoming place where students develop the confidence they need to successfully learn and grow. Our staff work hard to establish a platform of trust and an environment in which students feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to their school. We encourage our students to extend themselves in a challenging, stimulating setting with our highly qualified teachers who are supportive and cognisant of the unique needs of this age group.
SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
The Flinders Curriculum is designed to extend students and develop capacities well beyond the expectations set out by ACARA through the Australian Curriculum. Ever mindful of the developmental needs of early adolescents, our curriculum places a deliberate focus on the core skills of literacy and numeracy while challenging students towards higher-order thinking, such as with our ENIGMA program. This is achieved through a balance of a traditional core of subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Physical Education and Languages, and an array of elective choices, which expand from year to year.
VALUES IN SECONDARY SCHOOL
Across all subjects, the Secondary Curriculum is deeply committed to fostering the values, attitudes and behaviours conducive to further learning, to effective citizenship and to leadership. Our teaching practices reflect a commitment to deep learning, collaboration and the formation of a growth mindset as we build the foundations for future success in the senior years. Students are supported to build the Flinders Learner Traits (also known as 21st century skills) of Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Character, Communication and Citizenship.
WELLBEING PROGRAM
Our WELL4LIFE (W4L) program reflects our College’s commitment to fostering the holistic development of each student: cognitively, emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually, and is informed by the Flinders Wellbeing Framework. Through a consistent focus on key skills, such as mindfulness, empathy, resilience and digital safety, students are encouraged to reflect, grow and build positive relationships. Students are under the care of a robust pastoral care network, including Homeroom Mentors, Heads of House and Year Level Co-ordinators.
Senior Secondary School
(Years 11 and 12)
The Senior Secondary School at Matthew Flinders Anglican College empowers students to become autonomous, high-achieving learners ready for vibrant futures.
Our Senior students are guided to set academic goals, be autonomous learners and flourish to their potential. For those searching for academic extension and enrichment, Flinders offer world-class programs and opportunities.
SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM FOCUS
Students are encouraged to fulfil their academic potential through a carefully staged curriculum. The Years 11 and 12 Curriculum is derived from the QCAA syllabus with 28 General and 2 Applied subjects available for students to select as they prepare to receive their ATAR and entry into tertiary studies. In this respect, the fine academic results of successive years of Flinders graduates speak for themselves.
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOLISTIC EDUCATION
The Flinders Secondary School provides an extensive array of co-curricular activities. Our Flinders Music program is renowned for excellence and our Dramatic Arts program provides multiple opportunities to shine on stage or behind the scenes each year.
Students are encouraged to take up a sport from a selection that caters for novices, right through to nationally-ranked athletes supported in our Flinders Elite Athlete Program. There are also exciting opportunities to develop skills in innovation, chess, environment, service learning, writing and enrichment.
LEADERSHIP IN SECONDARY SCHOOL
Flinders graduates are ready to be leaders of the future. Students build valuable skills, whether participating in the Leading Men at Flinders program, mentoring peers at the I-WiSH conference, engaging in the Year 11 Retreat at the University of Queensland college residences or stepping up as House leaders or Year 12 Prefects. The Flinders Round Square program provides cultural exchanges, leadership growth and service learning. Students gain a world view and contribute to something bigger than themselves, meeting like-minded students from different cultures.
QUALITY TEACHING TEAM
A visitor to our College is quickly aware of a tangible atmosphere of "warm demand" and caring encouragement that permeates our campus. Teachers at Flinders know that positive relationships are the cornerstone of great teaching. Our Secondary School staff are highly trained specialists who continue to develop their skills through our College's award-winning Teaching and Learning Framework and Wellbeing Framework.
Our Pastoral Care Network Comprises:
- Head of Pastoral Programs
- Eight Houses of approximately 100 students spread over Years 7–12, each with a dedicated Head of House and six Homeroom Mentors. Members of the same family will all belong to the same House and form a close association with House staff. Houses are named after prominent Australians:
- Bradman House
- Chisholm House
- Helpmann House
- Mawson House
- McCubbin House
- Oliphant House
- Sutherland House
- Thiele House
- Year 7 Co-ordinator who attends to the specific needs of students in their first year of Secondary School
- Two full-time counsellors
- A full-time and dedicated College Chaplain
- Head of Junior Secondary School, Head of Middle Secondary School and Head of Senior Secondary School who assist with course selection and special considerations.
In addition, subject and co-curricular staff members, office staff and library and sick-bay staff are significant points of contact for students and parents.
