Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarships

Does Toorak College offer scholarships?
How does Toorak College choose scholarship recipients?
Can I join the year prior?

Does Toorak College offer scholarships?

Yes, Toorak College offers a range of scholarships from Year 4. Please visit our scholarships page for more information.

How does Toorak College choose scholarship recipients?

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of an independent academic test, current school reports (including recent NAPLAN) and an interview (for short-listed candidates only).

Can I join the year prior?

Yes. All scholarships can be redeemed for commencement the year prior for external applicants only.

Boarding School

What boarding opportunities does Toorak College offer?
How much does boarding school cost?

What boarding opportunities does Toorak College offer?

Toorak College offers full-time boarding options for students from Year 7-12 as well as week day or flexi boarding options. Please visit our Boarding House page for more information.

How much does boarding school cost?

Please visit our fees page for more information on boarding costs.

Curriculum

How is wellbeing included in the curriculum?
What specialist classes are available?
How do you support high/low achievers?

How is wellbeing included in the curriculum?

Health and wellbeing are at the very heart of everything we do at Toorak College. The foundation of all that we teach is centred around providing a high quality education in the best learning environment for our students to thrive in. For more information on our wellbeing philosophy and programs please visit our wellbeing page.

What specialist classes are available?

Toorak College offers a range of specialist classes commencing in our Early Learning Centre including Chinese, STEM-X, Music, Performing Arts, Equestrian, Soccer, AFL, Rowing and more. Please visit our co-curricular page for more information.

How do you support high/low achievers?

At Toorak College we have dedicated learning enhancement teachers who work with our children to provide both support and extension. These specialist teachers work with children in small groups or in the classroom depending on what is required.

Co-Curricular

What co-curricular activities does Toorak offer?

What co-curricular activities does Toorak offer?

Toorak students are encouraged to embrace a range of co-curricular activities including music, performing arts, sports, camps, outdoor education, House events and leadership initiatives. To learn more about the 53+ co-curricular activities we have on offer please visit our co-curricular page.

Local Enrolments

Is Toorak College a selective school?
Do I need to live within a catchment zone?

Is Toorak College a selective school?

Toorak College is a non-select independent school on the Mornington Peninsula. We are a school for every child, with boundless academic, co-curricular and wellbeing opportunities for students to embrace.

Do I need to live within a catchment zone?

No. Toorak College is an independent school which means anyone can enrol in our school, regardless of their geographic location.

All Girls Education

What are the benefits of an all-girl education?

What are the benefits of an all-girl education?

Educational research coupled with our extensive experience tells us that single-sex education offers girls the greatest chance to challenge stereotypes, develop strong self-worth and grow in confidence. For more information on the advantages of an all-girl environment, please visit The Toorak Advantage page.

International Enrolments

How does Toorak College support international students?
How do international students enrol at Toorak College?

How does Toorak College support international students?

Toorak College has a long and proud history of welcoming girls from many different countries from around the world. Our boarding program focuses strongly on the wellbeing of the individual and our on-campus English Language Support Centre ensures a smooth transition for our international students, equipping students with the English language skills they need to be active members of the Toorak College community. For more information on how we support our international students, please visit our boarding page.

How do international students enrol at Toorak College?

Each year we welcome many international students to Toorak College. For more information on our international enrolments process, please visit our enrolments page.

Playgroup

What is the difference between an Early Learning Centre and Playgroup?
Is the Toorak College Little Learners Playgroup program registered with Playgroup Victoria?
What are the fees for Toorak’s Playgroup program?

What is the difference between an Early Learning Centre and Playgroup?

Playgroup is a casual, play-based program run by our Director of Early Learning. Children partake in one session per week and these sessions are only one hour in length. Our Playgroup program is suitable for children who are 2-3 years of age and who are too young for our Kindergarten program. For more information on our Little Learners Playgroup please visit our playgroup page.

Is the Toorak College Little Learners Playgroup program registered with Playgroup Victoria?

Yes. Our Little Learners Playgroup program is proudly registered with Playgroup Victoria.

What are the fees for Toorak’s Playgroup program?

For up to date information on our fees and to register your interest, please visit our Little Learners Playgroup page.

ELC

Is ELC the same as Kindergarten?
Why is early childhood education important?
Is Toorak’s ELC co-ed?
Do you offer a child-care subsidy?

Is ELC the same as Kindergarten?

At Toorak College our Early Learning Centre incorporates a 3 year old Kindergarten and 4 year old Pre-Prep program. Unlike community Kindergartens, we offer 2, 3, 4 and 5 day programs to allow families to choose the best fit for their child and circumstances. These programs run from 9:00am to 3:00pm for our 3 year old Kindergarten program and from 8:45am to 2:45pm for our 4 year old Pre-Prep program. We also have before and after school care programs available for families to access should they require extended care. For more information please visit our Early Learning page.

Why is early childhood education important?

During this important phase, children develop independence, social skills, communication and are introduced to skill learning which is exclusive to early education. When children are around the age of eight-years-old they have already begun to develop an understanding of their self identity and their identity as a learner. Children will decide how valuable and competent they are in these early years and this belief becomes increasingly difficult to change the older they become. To learn more about the importance of early education please read our blog on The Importance of Choosing the Right Primary School.

Is Toorak’s ELC co-ed?

Yes. Toorak College is co-educational from Kindergarten through to Year 4 and from Year 5 we take an all-girls approach.

Do you offer a child-care subsidy?

No. Unfortunately our ELC does not qualify for the child-care subsidy scheme.

Junior School

Is Toorak’s Junior School co-ed?
What specialist classes are available in the Junior School?
Do preps start off with a full 5 day school program?
Is there a homework policy in the Junior School?

Is Toorak’s Junior School co-ed?

Our Junior School is proudly co-educational from Prep to Year 4 and from Year 5 we take an all-girls approach.

What specialist classes are available in the Junior School?

Our Junior School students are able to extend their knowledge through a number of specialist classes taught by expert teachers in the field. These specialist offerings are clustered into five main groups: Language, Research and Digital Citizenship, STEM-X, The Arts and Health and Wellbeing. For more information on our Junior School curriculum please visit our Junior School page.

Do preps start off with a full 5 day school program?

Yes. Our Prep students commence the year with a full 5 day program from day one, Term 1.

Is there a homework policy in the Junior School?

Yes. Students are assigned homework tasks from as early as Prep in order to create lifelong organisational and study habits that will set them up for success in their future.

These tasks include daily reading and usually last from 15 minutes in Prep through to 30 - 45 minutes in the older year levels. Homework tasks increase in difficulty and frequency as students progress through the Junior School.

Senior School

What co-curricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, competitions) are available for students?
How do students get extra help if they need it?
Does the school offer career planning for students?

What co-curricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, competitions) are available for students?

Toorak students are encouraged to embrace a range of co-curricular activities including music, performing arts, sports, camps, outdoor education, House events, leadership initiatives and community service. To learn more about the 53+ co-curricular activities we have on offer please visit our co-curricular page.

How do students get extra help if they need it?

At Toorak College, we closely and regularly assess the progress of each of our students. Through regular reporting we are able to identify any difficulties early and work with families to put a support plan in place. This includes a personalised approach to teaching that identifies challenges and supports every individual. We also run after school homework clubs supported by our teaching staff, and offer supervised study times in our Boarding House for those students who are able to self-regulate their learning.

Does the school offer career planning for students?

Career planning starts as early as Year 9 at Toorak College. Alongside a VCE offering that has a high global reputation due to its breadth, rigour, and results, our Senior years curriculum ensures our girls are well prepared for their future career pathways. Our Futures Specialist works closely with industry partners to foster intern and cadetship placements and facilitates early entry opportunities to the top universities in Australia and internationally. In 2021, 40% of our Year 12 cohort received university offers in Term 3, prior to sitting their final exams. For more information on our Futures program please visit our Senior School page.

General

Is Toorak College a private school?
What are your average class sizes?
How does the school perform in VCE?

Is Toorak College a private school?

Yes. Toorak College is an independent school on the Mornington Peninsula from Early Learning to Year 12, with on-site boarding facilities.

What are your average class sizes?

Our small class sizes allow students the opportunity to achieve their best in whatever field they choose. Our average class size across the school consists of 17 students per class.

How does the school perform in VCE?

Toorak College has a proud track record of achieving outstanding results and is ranked as one of the leading primary and secondary schools on the Mornington Peninsula. For up to date information on our NAPLAN and VCE results please visit the Toorak Advantage page.

Careers

How do I apply to work at Toorak College?

How do I apply to work at Toorak College?

All staff, whether they work in education or operations, are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our students. To view our current employment opportunities or to learn more about our recruitment process, please visit our careers page.

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