School Atmosphere

CARING ENVIRONMENT

One of the special features of our school is its family nature. With its wide age range, concentration on smaller clases and individual teaching, students are given every encouragement to reach their potential in a warm and caring environment.   We have Class and Form teachers, Deans, a Guidance Counsellor and a Careers Adviser who are committed to the students' welfare and progress.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Students are encouraged to develop leadership, communication and social skills through a variety of different programs. Senior pupils are encouraged to be involved in the school and one of them is elected by the Yr 9 – 13 school as a Student Representative on the Board of Trustees. School Student Leaders are selected each year. These students run the School Council which meets on a regular basis and has representatives from Year 6 – 13. The STARS Programme in Year 9 includes a number of senior students who act as Peer Mentors to the Year 9 students and all attend a week long camp at the beginning of the year. This mentoring role lasts throughout the year in a structured programme.  The House system and the Cool Schools programme offer Leadership opportunities at different levels within the school.

LINKS BETWEEN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

There are very strong links between the school and the community. Parents are frequently involved with activities at the school and are encouraged to work alongside teachers and attend significant school functions.  We have a number of community volunteers who give their time to our school also.  We encourage such contacts.  The school has a range of specialists who it works with in the interests of students, e.g. Public Health Nurse, Dental therapists, Speech Language Therapist, Hearing and Vision personnel, Police Education Officers, Itinerant Music Teachers, Group Special Education and local Youth Support Services. A regular meeting is held with all of these agencies to ensure the best possible services for our students.

YEAR 1-3

Our Year 1-3 classes are in a multi-level structure which means every class has a mixture of Year 1-3 students.  Students remain with this teacher for 3 years.

COOL SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

We have implemented a "Cool Schools" programme as part of creating a safe school environment.  This is a peer mediatioin programme providing trained student mediators to resolve smaller conflicts in the playground.  All staff have undergone training to introduce the skills to all students.

SCHOOL HOUSE SYSTEM

All staff and students are members of one of 4 Houses which builds positive relationships between all members of our school.