Walcha Central School · Our students become confident and connected citizens who are ready to meet...

Walcha Central School Your Learning Journey

Kindergarten to Year 12

At Walcha Central School, students, staff, parents and the community work collaboratively to deliver a quality education, from Kindergarten through to the Higher School Certificate.

Our staff are caring and committed professionals who provide a supportive environment

where successful learners are nurtured.

Our students become confident and connected citizens who are ready to meet the challenges of the contemporary world as confident and creative individuals.

Walcha Central School Information Booklet 2017 2


FROM THE PRINCIPAL

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Walcha Central School. At our school we are committed to excellence and the provision of high quality educational opportunities for each and every child. This means our teachers nurture, guide, inspire and challenge students – to find the joy in learning, to creatively build their skills and understanding, and to make sense of their world. As a student you can expect to be working in an environment where respect, engagement, achievement and learning are the core values. You will have the opportunity to build life-long friendships, have genuine support to build resilience and make positive and healthy decisions for yourself. Walcha Central School is fortunate to have strong and productive partnerships with our wider community, central to many learning activities which enhance the values and citizenship of students. I encourage you to take advantage of the unique opportunities and experiences that Walcha Central School has to offer and to enjoy your own creative learning journey.

Mark Hall Principal

For more information please contact:

Deputy Principal: Mr Simon Warden Assistant Principal: Mrs Brenda Watkins Assistant Principal: Mrs Sonya Rogers

154E NORTH STREET, WALCHA, NSW, 2354 I T 6777 2777 I F 6777 1009

WWW.WALCHA-C.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU I [email protected]

http://www.walcha-c.schools.nsw.edu.au/

mailto:[email protected]


LOCATION

Walcha Central School is a dynamic community school located in the picturesque New England town of Walcha which services a large rural district with over 3000 people. The town is the main centre of business and industry for the Walcha shire and provides support for the various farming enterprises and local businesses. At 1070 metres, Walcha Central School is one of the highest schools in NSW and is one of the largest central schools in the state. It is also one of the oldest, celebrating its sesquicentenary in 2009. Because of its central location and excellent facilities, this community school is able to provide quality education for children and young adults from Kindergarten to Year 12 which is accessible to the whole district.

HISTORY

A school was established in Walcha in 1859, one of 128 schools in operation in NSW at the time. The secondary department in Angle Street was officially opened in 1956, creating a split-site school. However, further building work was completed in 1988, including the construction of a school and community Multi-Purpose Centre. This and the subsequent building work on classrooms and other facilities enabled the school to be amalgamated onto the one site in February 1995.

Education is a joint venture between the school and the local community. Walcha Central School is committed to nurturing strong family and community links which can only be possible where a school is closely in touch with its constituency and knows the local needs of its students. The school has worked hard to forge effective and supportive links with the local community for many years. We are supported by families, businesses and service groups who assist with Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs, School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT), the agriculture farm, work placement and our Scholarship Program and also have a very active and involved P&C.


THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Walcha Central School is a modern facility boasting expansive, beautiful, well-maintained grounds and inviting play areas. Art works throughout the school echo the town’s outdoor art theme and are the result of collaborative work with local artists and community members. Conversely many of our students art works feature in outdoor art throughout our community.

We are proud of our extensive resources including two computer laboratories, two modern science laboratories, a sound-proofed and air-conditioned Tiered Learning Centre and a Trade Training Centre which incorporates a state of the art kitchen and industrial arts workshop. In addition to art and music facilities our library is well resourced with internet access and exciting study areas with adjoining seminar rooms.

Walcha Central School has an amazing agricultural resource. The farm is approximately 160 acres and we have registered Limousin cattle and Border Leicester studs. Students participate in hoof and hook cattle shows and ram sales. The students are exposed to a variety of industries and enterprises during their studies and participate in many agricultural excursions.

Our school has access to a range of excellent sporting facilities including a full size indoor basketball court, synthetic tennis courts, a swimming pool (in season) and well-maintained sports fields.

Many curricular and extra-curricular excursion opportunities are also offered to students throughout the year providing access to experiences, expertise and venues to challenge, motivate and enhance their learning.


TEACHING AND LEARNING

Teaching and learning is our focus. We work co-operatively, individually and in groups in a positive environment with mutual respect and understanding. As a school we have identified three areas: student wellbeing and whole school literacy and numeracy, as our focus to support student improvement. Having K-12 teaching staff is a special feature of our school enabling students to draw on a full range of expertise in the key learning areas of education.

CURRICULUM

We favour a rigorous approach to the core curriculum subjects as specified in the Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES):

In K-6 English and mathematics make up about 50% of the school week – this is equivalent to at least 12 hours each week. The other subjects are spread across the remaining time (see pie chart below). The use of digital technologies is included in every stage of every subject.


In Years 7-10 subjects taught are depicted below. In addition to subject-based content, all syllabuses address important contemporary themes and general capabilities as students prepare to live and work successfully in the 21st century. These include Australian Curriculum cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities and other learning across the curriculum areas identified by BOSTES.

Choice and diversity characterise the senior (Years 11 and 12) curriculum at this school.

Students must follow the BOSTES requirements for Preliminary and Higher School Certificate

(HSC) study to be able to qualify for the HSC with or without an Australian Tertiary

Admission Rank (ATAR). English is the only compulsory course and students select, with

guidance, from a broad range of Board Developed Courses (BDC), Vocational Education and

Training (VET) courses or Board Endorsed Courses (BEC) to fulfil their individual

requirements.

The students at Walcha Central School are well catered for in terms of the range of courses

offered but their choices should be guided by:

a) interest in the course selected

b) ability to satisfactorily complete the requirements of the course

c) vocational intentions (linking courses to future employment and study requirements).

Mandatory

Subjects in

Years 7 & 8

LOTE Visual Arts

Music Technology

Science

Compulsory

Subjects up

to Year 10

English

History

Geography Mathematics

PDHPE

Sport


WHY CHOOSE WALCHA CENTRAL SCHOOL FOR

YOUR CHILD?

Walcha Central School has a staff dedicated to providing a range of extra-curricular activities which expand horizons, bond friendships and offer stimulating competition and challenges such as:

Billy Tea Bush Dance Musica Viva Science in the Bush UNE Year 8 Maths Challenge UNE GRASS Science Investigation Awards University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Challenge

agriculture local and regional shows and competitions North West and New England Primary Chess competition Debating representation at district, regional and state levels in various sports including:

swimming, athletics, cross country, hockey, cricket, touch football and rugby league

Waste into Art competition.


Walcha Central School also provides students with whole school experiences where students support students to develop and become well rounded responsible citizens. The school does this by:

providing students with excellent welfare programs Cattle Club encouraging students to participate in a wide range of different sports

providing opportunities for curricular and extra-curricular excursions providing leadership opportunities with programs such as Peer Support, the Premiers

Sporting Challenge (PSC) sport leadership program Learning to Lead, and student representative council (SRC)

participating in agricultural competitions Buddy Reading and Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC) Read and Get Educated (RAGE) program Reading Recovery transition for preschool to Kindergarten and Year 6 students into Year 7 school to work programs which include SBAT and TVET courses

Students with special learning needs are integrated into mainstream classes at Walcha Central School and support staff may be employed to improve and support their learning. The Learning Support Team works in collaboration with students, families, teachers, school counsellor and external service providers to ensure every student has equal access to the curriculum and all aspects of school life. Individual student adjustment plans assist the classroom teacher to best cater for students with additional learning needs.


WELLBEING Our school environment is pivotal to the growth and development of our most important assets – our children and young people. At Walcha Central School we strive for excellence in teaching and learning, connect on many levels and build trusting and respectful relationships for students to succeed.

Walcha Central School is focused on building individual and collective wellbeing through a climate of care and positivity. This is delivered through a range of initiatives including:

holding Year and Stage meetings every fortnight K-12 using Mind Matters and Kids Matter frameworks to develop student resilience and

understanding of mental health delivering 21st Century learning skills including creative thinking and teamwork developing productive partnerships with our school, parents and community

targeting programs to meet individual needs of students clearly identifying support networks for students including Year Advisor, Counsellor

and access to further health care professionals ensuring classroom environments are safe and supportive

providing extensive student leadership opportunities.

Our school has a comprehensive and integrated strategy in place to support the cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual wellbeing of students in a context of quality teaching and learning.


POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING (PBL)

Walcha Central School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) School where Respect, Engagement, Achievement and Learning (REAL) are our core values. PBL is a comprehensive, integrated whole school approach to student wellbeing and behaviour.

Our aim is for students, teachers and staff, and members of the wider school community to have a shared understanding of the behaviours, attitudes and expectations that enhance wellbeing and lead to improved student outcomes.

Students at Walcha Central School will experience a sense of connection, inclusion, respect for individuality and difference, resilience, empowerment, capacity to contribute to their school and wider community, and confidence to positively shape their own futures.

SCHOOL MERIT SYSTEM

The school has a merit system as part of the School Welfare Policy. The merit system aims to acknowledge students who show respect, engagement, achievement and learning. The system assists in the development of self-esteem of all students; encourages socially acceptable behaviour; prepares students to become valuable members of our community; develops a school tone more conducive to learning; encourages students to participate in all aspects of school life and to respect the rights of others.


DISCIPLINE

Achieving a high standard of discipline is central to the continued successful operation of the school.

Being a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) school, our core values (respect, engagement, achievement and learning) provide a framework which promotes students empowerment and personal development.

Our aim is to provide a stable, safe and happy environment in which students display self- discipline and a sustained application to learning.

The Walcha Central School community (staff, parents and students) will not tolerate illegal, anti-social or unacceptable behaviour within the school. Any such behaviour will be dealt with promptly to help maintain an environment conducive to effective learning.

Parents are encouraged to make an appointment to speak with the deputy principal to express any concerns of a discipline nature.

HOMEWORK

Secondary homework is set in all subjects and the following suggested weekly time allocations should serve as a guide and are to be considered in relation to the student’s abilities and needs:

Year 7 & 8 60 minutes x 4 nights per week

Year 9 & 10 90 minutes x 4 nights per week

Year 11 & 12 2 to 3 hours per week night with 4 hours at the weekend increasing significantly during Year 12 as the HSC approaches

UNIFORM

Walcha Central School is a uniform school. The wearing of school uniform is an important way of showing that a student belongs to our learning community. When a student belongs to the school, he or she respects the school community and works with it. Experience tells us that when students comply with the school regarding uniform they also comply with their teachers and classmates and tend to achieve more at school.

Please refer to the procedures outlined in the uniform brochure. It is a safety requirement to wear enclosed leather shoes in practical classes.


LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

There are many paths open to students at Walcha Central School to develop their leadership skills from K-12, ranging from the early stages of taking on classrooom responsibilities or leading group work sessions, right through to representing the student body in a variety of more formal roles.

Students have the opportunity to become a member of the Student Representative Council, lead their team as a House captain for school sporting events, be involved in the Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), represent the school in agricultural events, be trained for peer leadership programs or become an elected school captain or vice-captain.

All of these roles, whether formal or informal, involve students working closely with their peers while maintaining high standards in their personal work ethic and behaviour. Students hone their leadership skills through planning events, solving problems, communicating with and organising other students to complete tasks.

Students are trained and supported by staff to execute these roles to the best of their ability and learn skills which they can continue to develop in their adult lives.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (SRC)

Student Representative Councils (SRCs) are a NSW public school tradition. An SRC is a group of students in a school elected by their fellow students to represent all students in the school and to organise ways for students to participate in school life. SRCs work democratically to represent the student body in school decision-making. Students work together, with help from a staff member, to improve school life and to contribute students’ ideas.

At Walcha Central School the role of the SRC is to promote and display positive behaviour within the school and wider community; attend regular SRC meetings; lead school assemblies; represent the student body on school committees; fundraise to provide grants for student needs and community charities; organise whole school activities; and represent Walcha Central School at community events.

The SRC is a great avenue for students to develop leadership skills and to be involved in decisions that will improve the experience for all students at Walcha Central School.


KEEPING IN TOUCH

WEBSITE

Our school website www.walcha-c.schools.nsw.edu.au contains information about our school and is updated regularly. Newsletters, photos, school information and permission notes can also be viewed on our website and downloaded as needed.

NEWSLETTERS

Newsletters are published twice a term and are emailed home as well as published on our school website. Copies can also be collected from the school administration building. Newsletters keep you informed of what is happening at school.

ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies are held to showcase performances, celebrate achievement and recognise special occasions, approximately once a term, with details of these being advertised on the school website.



REPORTING

All students have formal written reports at the end of Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students in Years 11 and 12 receive reports in Terms 2 and 3. At any time in the school year a parent may request a progress report for their child from the deputy principal.

Parent teacher information evenings are held for parents - check our website for dates and times.

PARENT ENQUIRY PROCEDURES

At our school we acknowledge there are times parents have concerns about their child’s education. Issues or concerns that you as parents have regarding your child’s education are most effectively dealt with if you follow these guidelines:

1. Make an appointment to talk to the teacher. 2. If you consider that the issue you raised is still unresolved, you need to state this

to the teacher at the conclusion of the meeting and make an appointment with the appropriate executive member i.e. the head teacher or deputy principal.

3. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the above meeting please phone or write to make an appointment to see the principal.

VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL

As part of our commitment to Workplace Health and Safety, visitors to the school (including parents and guardians) are required to come to the main office in the administration building. Visitors can then make arrangements and/or appointments. Visitors are required to sign the visitor’s book if they are venturing further into the school. We ask that you do this in case of fire or accidents when the school may need to be evacuated.


GETTING INVOLVED

PARENT & CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

All parents are encouraged to join the P&C. You will find that you are made to feel very welcome at their meetings and functions.

P&C meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (during school terms) at 6.30pm in the staff common room.

One of the aims of the parent body is to improve the school for our children. Through fundraising they improve the learning conditions within the school and purchase extra learning equipment to assist our students learning.

STUDENT BANKING

A school banking service with the Commonwealth Bank is offered each week for students on Wednesdays when a staff member from the Commonwealth Bank comes to school to process bank books for students. Forms for this service are available at the front office.


HEALTH CARE AT SCHOOL

If your child has a medical condition or allergy it is vital that you inform the school so we can collaborate with you to put in place a health care plan to manage the condition at school. The school must be informed by parents in ALL cases when students bring medication to school. Attention to a student’s medical needs is part of the school’s duty of care.

When a child requires regular prescribed medication the following procedures will apply:

parent completes a “Request for Support at School of a Student’s Health Condition” form and provides detailed advice from the student’s doctor

A member of the school executive will then meet with parents to arrange an appropriate plan for meeting the requirements of the request.

When a child requires medication on a short term basis, (eg antibiotics) the medication must be in the original container with the prescription information on it. Students are to bring the medication and a note from parents/caregivers giving permission for school staff to administer the medication. All medication is to be handed in to the front office.

SCHOOL BASED ADOLESCENT VACCINATION PROGRAM

Each year NSW Health offers the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school-based program. Walcha Central School participates in this program and will distribute information to parents when the 2016 schedule becomes available.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Thanks to the generosity of many business houses and organisations in Walcha and surrounding areas, scholarships are available to students to assist them in their school endeavours. Applications are made towards the end of each year and apply to the next calendar year. Scholarship funds can be put towards school fees, book packs, uniform and other associated school costs.


SCHOOL ROUTINES

ATTENDANCE

Attending school every day makes learning easier for your child and helps build and maintain friendships with other children. If students miss the basic skills in the early years they may struggle later on. Regular attendance at school can build habits that may help your child to succeed in later life. Exemplary attendance is rewarded at Walcha Central School and consistent absence is reported to authorities.

Pupils should not arrive at school before 8.30am as there are no teachers on duty before this time. K-6 students arriving after 9am and Year 7-12 students arriving after 8.50am must sign in at the front office to receive a late pass and all students need to have a note from a parent explaining their late arrival.

Leaving School During The Day

Pupils may only leave the school during the day with special permission. A parental note is required before this permission will be given. K-6 students must be collected by a parent and be signed out at the front office. Students in Year 7-12 should submit notes to the deputy principal for signing before 8.50am on the day concerned if possible, or at recess or lunch if the deputy principal is unavailable in the morning. When signing out at the front office the signed note must be given to the front office staff. Students must sign out at the office every time they leave the school and sign in upon re-entry, if they return. This is a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) requirement. Students will be issued with a pass which they should keep on their person in case asked to produce it by the police. Students who do not take all these steps and leave school without permission will be deemed to be truanting.

Full Day Absences

Parents should contact the school early (office staff are at school from 8.30am) on the day of an absence to inform the office that their child is absent. If this is not done, parents will be phoned. The school must be notified of the reason for the child’s absence within 7 days as after this time records cannot be adjusted.

Exemptions

Parents may apply for an exemption from attendance at school for exceptional circumstances, employment in the entertainment industry or to participate in elite sporting events or elite arts programs encouraged or endorsed by the Department of Education.

Family holidays are no longer an accepted category for exemption from school, instead extended leave can be applied for at the discretion of the principal.

Exemption forms can be collected from the office or downloaded from the website.

Home School Liaison Officers have been specially trained to help you with your child’s school attendance. They work with schools to encourage all students to attend school regularly.


BUSES

Students are required to wait for their buses inside the school gates for safety reasons. Secondary students will be released to move to their buses to board before the primary students. Students who are walking home are permitted to leave the grounds at 3.10pm.

The Code of Conduct from the Department of Transport states students will:

behave safely at all times respect the needs and comfort of other passengers

respect bus property by not marking or damaging it.

Students will not:

distract the driver except in an emergency smoke, eat or drink on the bus allow any part of their body to protrude from the bus

fight, spit, use offensive language or place their feet on the seats throw any article inside, or out of, the bus.

SAFETY ON THE STREET

Be sure your child knows the safety rules for our busy streets. Below are some safety rules to teach your child:

before you cross the street, look first right, then left, then right again; do not cross if traffic is near

if there is a marked crossing, please use it walk quickly across the street; do not run

take special care when you get off a bus don’t step out from behind parked cars or buses play your games in a safe place; away from the street ride your bike safely; obey all signs and give correct hand signals. Wear a helmet use the footpath if there is one. Where there is no footpath, walk on the right-hand

side of the street, facing the traffic.

Warn your child against loitering on the way home, visiting friends without permission, or going anywhere with strangers.

Reminder Please remember that when the crossing flags are

displayed cars must stop to allow children to cross the

road safely.

For the safety of your child please pick up and drop

off from the Angle Street entrance and avoid the bus

pick up area.


HOUSE COLOURS

Oxley - gold and green Apsley - blue and white Fitzroy - red and black Derby - green and white

HOUSE WAR CRIES Oxley High kicker high High kicker high Oxley Oxley do or die Gold and green are the best we’ve seen And we’re cheering for our team O-X-L-E-Y Apsley Booma lacka booma lacka Bow wow wow Chicka lacka chicka lacka Chow chow chow Apsley Apsley here we are Apsley Apsley best by far A-P-S-L-E-Y FITZROY Zoolum zoolum Zoolum zar Fitzroy house is best by far Red and black Red and black Fitzroy house is right on track F-I-T-Z-R-O-Y Derby Zoolum zoolum Zoolum zar Here we go honey go Here we go bunny go Good old Derby Rah rah rah D-E-R-B-Y


SCHOOL SONG (Tune - "John Brown's Body")

We're students, teachers here together

sportsmen great and small; We're here to do the best we can,

we’ll not let standards fall; For manner maketh man we say,

so here we loudly call WALCHA CENTRAL leads them all.

W-A-L-C-H-A, WALCHA, 'tis for honour that we steer;

To strive for Walcha is the reason why we're gathered here;

And W-A-L-C-H-A is the one for which we loudly cheer

We cheer for the Red and White.


SCHOOL HOURS No child should be at school before 8.30 am as there is no teacher supervision until 8.30am. K-6 9.00am - school starts 10.50am-11:20am - recess 1:30pm-2:10pm - lunch break 3.10pm - school finishes Years 7-12 8:50am - school starts 10:50am-11:20am - recess 1:40pm-2:10pm - lunch break 3:10pm - school finishes

BELL TIMES

Time K - 6 Time 7 - 12

09:00 09.10

Morning Assembly 08:50 09:50

Period 1

09.10 09.50

Period 1

09:50 10:50

Period 2 09:50 10:50

Period 2

10:50 11:20

Recess (30 min) 10:50 11:20

Recess (30 min)

11:20 11:40

Mon: Peer Support T, W, Th, F: Peer Reading

11:20 11:40

Mon: Assembly T, W, Th, F: Peer Reading

11:40 12:40

Period 3 11:40 12:40

Period 3

12:40 01:30

Period 4 12:40 1:40

Period 4

01.30 01.40

Lunch (eat in class)

01:40 02:10

Lunch (30 min) 1:40 2:10

Lunch (30 min)

02:10 03:10

Period 5 2:10 3:10

Period 5


TERM DATES 2017

FIRST TERM First Day

Friday 27 January 2017 staff only to attend

Monday 30 January 2017 & individual assessment appointments for Kinder Tuesday 31 January 2017 students Monday 30 January 2017 Year 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12 students start today Tuesday 31 January 2017 Year 8 students start today Wednesday 1 February 2017 Kinder, Year 1, 9 and 10 students start today Last Day Friday 7 April 2017 students and staff Friday 14 April 2017 Easter Friday Monday 17 April 2017 Easter Monday

SECOND TERM First Day

Monday 24 April 2017 staff only Tuesday 25 April 2017 Anzac Day Wednesday 26 April 2017 all students Monday 12 June 2017 Queen’s Birthday

Last Day

Friday 30 June 2017 students and staff

THIRD TERM First Day

Monday 17 July 2017 staff only

Tuesday 18 July 2017 all students

Last Day

Friday 22 September 2017 students and staff

FOURTH TERM

Monday 2 October 2017 Labour Day

First Day

Monday 9 October 2017 staff and all students

Last Day

Friday 15 December 2017 students Tuesday 19 December 2017 staff

NB: Please check school website www.walcha-c.schools.nsw.edu.au for calendar updates


Walcha Central School · Our students become confident and connected citizens who are ready to meet...

Documents

Transcript of Walcha Central School · Our students become confident and connected citizens who are ready to meet...