Alia College is an independent, co-educational secondary school. It caters for young people in Years 7 to 12 and is accredited for international students. The school's primary focus is on education for academic progress and success. Alia College is not affiliated to any religious organisation and does not promote any particular belief system; Alia's community is open-minded and generous and it includes people of all faiths and of none. Alia's ethos builds trust and confidence among students and teachers. With this confidence and an abundance of opportunities, each student is encouraged to contribute to the life of the school, even as they develop their individual talents and pursue their own interests. From the recognition of respect and support for individuals in their learning, grows an understanding of reciprocal responsibilities and community well being. The forum in which this development is most evident is the daily meeting of students and teachers, conducted by the students themselves. At the meetings students' interests, hopes and concerns interact in a collaborative and creative dialogue, opening up new possibilities and finding solutions to problems. This negotiation of individual and collective responsibilities is successfully achieved by open, honest dialogue, not by coercion or threats of punishment. Alia is not a pure" democracy, but it nurtures and develops a democratic spirit within the school. Alia teachers are passionate and authoritative; their enthusiasm permeates their work with students. The subject content in each discipline follows the prescriptions of all mainstream schools and, while teachers organise the lessons and provide clear expositions, they also encourage curiosity, originality and initiative. Learning is seen as a multi-layered activity, extending beyond the process-product" model which so limits contemporary discourse. Classes are active and dynamic, featuring lively discussions, group projects, research and discovery, skills-oriented games and excursions, rather than lengthy..