Genazzano FCJ College

At Genazzano FCJ College, we are proud to be celebrating 131 years of history within Catholic education. We highly value our past and present students, our inspiring educators and our College community. Together as educators and parents, we work to create a learning environment enriched by the traditions of the Catholic faith and the Ignatian heritage of the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus.

Ours is a College where intellectual pursuits flourish in a climate of excellence and inquiry. We are a community of faith; inspiring a passion for life, a love of learning and the courage and confidence to lead and serve others. Our vision encourages our students from ELC to VCE to approach life with optimism, to be creative learners looking for ways to contribute to society, and to be actively engaged with issues of social justice. Like a child’s imagination, we believe that learning should have no bounds. Our co-educational three and four year old Early Learning Centre (ELC) instils in our young girls and boys the joys of learning and discovery.

Our all-girls environment from Prep to Year 12 enables each student to take intellectual risks and focus on achieving personal success across a wide range of subjects and pursuits which include: an extensive curriculum, quality religious education, diverse co-curricular activities, and social justice programs.

Genazzano celebrates difference and diversity, and is a non-selective entry school. The College aims to promote inclusion and provide every student with the chance to build upon their strengths, whatever their background. Genazzano is a vibrant and energetic community that seeks to positively influence all aspects of a student's development; learning and wellbeing go hand in hand.

Genazzano was founded in 1889 by the Catholic Order of Sisters, the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). Inspired by the spirit of St Ignatius (founder of the Jesuits), the inspirational foundress of the Sisters FCJ was the Blessed Marie Madeleine d'Houet, born in Châteauroux, France in 1871.

For over 129 years, we have explored, developed, learned, and become experts in girls’ education. At Genazzano, we take pride in preparing girls for their life journey of learning now and beyond school. We know and understand girls and as a result, our programs support our students in developing into adaptable, confident and courageous young women.

Our curriculum is innovative, life changing, and deliberately designed for girls. Learn about our Performance Psychology Program, our Social Justice Program, our Co-curricular Program, GenInstitute, Flow Theory, and our Year 9 Experience as these are key programs that build resilient, independent young women who strive to reach their fullest potential in all areas of life. At Genazzano, we continue in our aim to develop the whole person, to nurture honest citizens with integrity, and to prepare our girls to strive and flourish in a world that is ever-changing.

Our Playgroup is in its second successful year at Genazzano. We have grown from our 'foundation members' to a thriving community of babies, toddlers, mums, dads, grandparents and friends. Playgroup is a wonderful place to come, play, learn and socialise with so many engaging and educational planned activities, crafts and toys!

The Junior School at Genazzano caters for students from Prep through to Year 6. These foundation years are focussed on exposing the students to  a broad and diverse curriculum that piques their curiosity and interest in learning and fosters a life-long love of learning. Students are supported to pose and answer their own questions, think critically and creatively and take risks in their learning, supported by teaching staff who are highly invested in the success and growth of every student.

The magnificently restored Victorian mansion, known as Grange Hill, is home for the Prep-Year 4 students and provides a positive and supportive learning environment where students engage in a broad and stimulating range of learning experiences, with a strong focus on developing excellent literacy and numeracy skills. The curriculum builds learning confidence and capitalises on student interests within and beyond the classroom.

Our Learning and Teaching programs in the Senior School of Genazzano are designed to cater for the learning needs of all students. Our programs are differentiated to ensure that every student is challenged appropriately and their learning program is individualised to their particular needs. We have a strong belief that learning should be aspirational and about growth. Our learning and teaching programs are designed around the concept of growth in learning and our curriculum caters for the academic, social and spiritual growth of all of our students. We also adopt a stage and age appropriate approach to our curriculum so that our curriculum is aligned with the developmental needs of our students.

All of our Learning and Teaching programs are informed by the latest educational research and theory. We adopt an evidenced based approach to curriculum development, design and delivery. We are also blessed with a wonderful learning environment that is technologically rich and   allows for multi-modal approaches to learning and teaching. Students are also able to access a number of both internal and external enrichment activities run by members of our Learning Enhancement Department.

The Senior School curriculum is comprehensive, relevant and purposeful. It is designed to allow students to develop the knowledge, skills and key competencies needed to achieve at the highest levels and prepare them for the challenges of VCE. Students complete both core and elective studies which provides them with a wide breadth of learning experiences and allows students to pursue areas of interest and passions. The development of sound study skills and habits is incorporated across the curriculum in an age and stage appropriate manner. Students are guided and encouraged to be independent learners and the establishment of sound work habits is emphasised across the Senior Years program.