WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE THE 2-21 AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL OF THE YEAR?
STEVE COOK
19 MARCH 2022
What a local story of national success!
Steve Cook, Principal of Albert Park College took us on the school’s journey from 2011, a school with new students, new staff and new building and a roof that fell in with a freak storm on day one, to winner of the Australia’s best public school and Australian school of the year in 2021.
The school has grown from one campus with 150 students in 2011 to 1,600 students in 2022. Classes are now held across six campuses.
The campuses work on an open plan, open also to the Port Phillip community. All are first class architecturally designed buildings and fit out, a source of delight for all.
And there is more to come – a new Arts precinct with the Victorian College of the Arts on the industrial site in Gasworks Park.
From its inception Steve has worked hard to integrate the school with the community
The glue however that binds the school community under Steve’s leadership is a shared sense of core values: positivity, a culture of excellence, creativity, and commonality of purpose. Steve’s expectation is that these values are shared by students, staff, and parents.
Steve is most optimistic about young people, he feels despite what could be perceived as trying times, that our future is in good hands.
Much of the webinar was conducted as a conversation. Lyn Place a U3APP tutor as the facilitator was brilliant – knowledgeable, relaxed, and entertaining.
Pam Caven
The recording of the seminar is available, click HERE