Principal's Message

About

Vision and Values

  • Category: About

Visioncels values poster

Collingwood English Language School provides innovative, high quality, contemporary and relevant teaching and learning programs to our students as their first educational experience in Australia preparing them for successful transition into mainstream and other pathways.

Values

Our core purpose is underpinned by the following values:

  • Respect: For ourselves, each other and our environment.
  • Kindness: To others through compassion and celebrating success.
  • Learning: Being ready to learn, do my best, be actively engaged, share ideas, seek support and welcome feedback.

School Council

Collingwood English Language School is privileged to work with a School Council comprised of community members and nominees, including representatives from the:

  • City of Yarra
  • Spectrum Migrant Resources Centre
  • Victorian Cooperative on Children's Services for Ethnic Group (VICSEG)
  • Jesuit Social Services
  • Fitzroy Learning Network
  • Brotherhood of St Laurence

Staff

  • Category: About

Principal
We have a Principal who oversees all four campuses. 

Assistant Principals
We have an Assistant Principal at each campus, who takes enrolments and supports families to settle into the school. You can talk to the Assistant Principal about your child’s wellbeing and learning and they will direct you to the best support within and beyond the school.

Wellbeing Leaders
We have a Wellbeing Leader at each campus who:

  • Support and monitor students at risk within the classroom
  • Assist students and parents/guardians on Wellbeing issues
  • Monitor delivery of regular health, and Wellbeing programs

Transition Leaders
We have a Transition Leader at each campus who:

  • Support the transition of students to their next local government school or further education pathways
  • Assist with enrolment (organising  appointments, completing enrolment forms, choosing electives)
  • Follow up with students in their mainstream schools

Mentor Teachers 
The Mentor Teacher role is to help students with their learning and well being. Mentor teachers:

  • Create a safe and positive learning environment where students achieve success and are engaged.
  • Identify, discuss and monitor curriculum, assessment and reporting
  • Devise individualised goals and learning improvement plans for students at their point of need.
  • Establish common expectations and approaches in the classroom.
  • Ensure students understand and follow the values and procedures of the school. e.g. absences, lateness and early departure from school, appropriate dress.
  • Reinforce student’s ‘readiness to learn’.
  • Guide students to develop a positive view of self as a learner through
  • Be aware of the home situation of students and notify the Wellbeing Leader and Assistant Principal of any wellbeing concerns, such as health problems, transport difficulties, financial problems

Social Worker
The Social Worker works with the wellbeing team to help students and families while they are at CELS. The Social Worker helps : 

  • Educate: to strengthen and build new skills 
  • Link: to create and support healthy connections
  • Counsel: to listen with empathy and give guidance 
  • Protect: to ensure that students’ and families’ rights are supported and understood
  • Advocate: to act for others when needed

Teachers 
Our teachers have specialist English as an Additional Language qualifications. CELS has a commitment to ongoing professional development, team planning and regular program review, together with a long tradition of innovative curriculum development.

Outreach Services Coordinators
Outreach Services Coordinators support improved access to appropriate programs for eligible newly-arrived students in primary and secondary schools in the NWV Region.

Education Support Staff
Teachers are supported in the classroom by a team of experienced and skilled Multicultural Education Aides (MEAs), Literacy Support Staff, and an Integration Aide. 

Administrative Staff
Our administration staff support the smooth running of the school. The School has a full-time Office Manager and Receptionist/Administrative Officers. CELS also employs staff to provide technical support for our Information and Communication Technologies program.

Role in the North Western Victoria Region

  • Category: About

Our Language School provides intensive English programs for newly arrived Primary and Secondary aged students prior to entering mainstream schools or other pathways.

We provide a specialist EAL (English as an Additional Language) intensive program based on student needs. Our specialised EAL curriculum references the new Victorian Curriculum EAL Curriculum framework and the EAL continuum.

We have four P-10 campuses located in Collingwood, Broadmeadows, Craigieburn and South Morang.

The Outpost Programs at Thomastown Primary School and Preston North East Primary School are temporary closed. 

 

Message from the Principal

  • Category: About

Welcome to Collingwood English Language School. 
Catherine Mcmahon

Collingwood English Language School is committed to providing a quality English language program for newly-arrived migrants and refugees prior to their enrolment in a mainstream school or further education. CELS teachers are qualified to teach English as an Additional Language (EAL) and provide a stimulating, English language program, nurturing students to achieve their full potential.

We are proud of how well we prepare our students for their next pathway. Students return again and again to revisit the school, and to meet with their past teachers and other staff. The school holds important memories for students, as well as providing the building blocks for future successful study.

I am privileged and proud to be the Principal of Collingwood English Language School. I would like to acknowledge both current and past staff members for their work at Collingwood English Language School, and for their commitment to excellence and care for students. I would also like to thank School Councillors, both past and present for their work at our school in a voluntary capacity, and all volunteers who have given their time to improve the school’s program.

Welcome to all parents and guardians both to the school and to Australia. Parental commitment is integral to providing the support needed for students to learn effectively. We look forward to you attending parent and teacher reporting meetings, information sessions and being involved in the school’s program.

Best wishes to all students and parents and guardians for your stay in our program.

Catherine McMahon
Principal

Locations

Collingwood English Language School has four campuses. Each campus is well serviced by public transport, catering for new arrivals in the inner city area and from the Northern and Eastern suburbs at the Collingwood Campus, and for new arrivals from the Northern suburbs at the Broadmeadows Campus, the Craigieburn Campus and the South Morang Campus.

Collingwood Campus:

The Collingwood Campus is centrally located in Cambridge Street, Collingwood, approximately one kilometre north east of the city centre.

19 Cambridge Street, Collingwood, Victoria, 3066
Phone: +61 3 9419 7633
Email: Contact Form

 

Broadmeadows Campus:

The Broadmeadows Campus is located in Johnstone Street, Broadmeadows, close to the Broadmeadows Shopping Centre

80 Johnstone Street, Broadmeadows, VIC, 3047
Phone: +61 3 9419 7633
Email: Contact Form

 

Craigieburn Campus:

The Craigieburn Campus is located approximately two kilometres from the Craigieburn Railway Station.

71 Northleigh Ave Craigieburn, VIC, 3064
Phone: +61 3 9419 7633
Email: Contact Form

 

South Morang Campus:

The South Morang Campus is located on Jardier Terrace, entrance via Gordons Road in South Morang. It is co-located with The Lakes South Morang College – Senior Campus.

235 Gordons Rd, South Morang VIC 3752
Phone: +61 3 9419 7633
Email: Contact Form

 

School Goals

At Collingwood English Language School (CELS) we aim to:

  • Develop students’ English language skills, knowledge and concepts and physical and developmental skills as fully as possible so that they can make a successful transition to further education and participate effectively in the wider community.
  • Provide a safe, secure learning environment in which the school community shows respect for the needs and cultures of others.
  • Maintain and develop students’ self-esteem and confidence, and encourage them to value their own culture and language and those of others.
  • Develop students’ understanding of Australian society and its resources and develop the skills necessary for their successful participation in this society.

About the School

Collingwood English Language School is a major provider of the New Arrivals Program in the North Western Region. It is a combined primary and secondary school, which provides full time, intensive English courses for eligible newly-arrived migrants and refugees prior to their enrolment in a mainstream school or further education.

The main aim of the school's program is to provide a cooperative and supportive learning and working environment to enable students to develop the language and skills they require to move successfully into mainstream schooling. CELS is committed to building on what students know, taking account of different learning styles and rates of learning. A secondary aim is to introduce students to Australian society and culture. The school values the diversity and richness of cultures represented in the school and implements policies that support the provisions of racial and religious tolerance, sexual harassment and equal opportunity legislation.

Underpinning all school policy is recognition of the importance of developing self-confidence, respect for the rights of others and self-responsibility, as well as promoting sensitivity and tolerance as characteristics of school life.

The CELS environment promotes success and achievement and is responsive to the wide range of needs of the school community.

CELS Student