St Helena Secondary College

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St Helena Secondary College
Image:Sthelena logo.gif
Dare to be excellent
Location
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Information
Principal Trudy Thomson
Teachers 116 (2007)
Students 1,606 (2007)
Type Public
Grades 7 - 12
Established 1984
Homepage http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au
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St Helena Secondary College is a state secondary school in Eltham North, Victoria, Australia.

Contents

[edit] About

St Helena is a large, co-educational government secondary college committed to striving for excellence in all its endeavours. It features architect designed facilities which include a library, theatre, gymnasium complex, specialist technology rooms, a VCE centre, Junior School area and a large canteen.

In 2005 the school completed the construction of a $2.7 million Science & Technology Centre as well as soccer field, which is shared by the Eltham Junior Soccer Club.

Form teachers are the primary contact for students and continuity of contact is considered important in the transition from primary to secondary education.

The curriculum offers a balanced mix of academic and skills-based subjects. A wide range of subjects at VCE level provides students with optimum choices, enabling them to be well equipped for further study or the workforce. All courses provide open ended extension activities to challenge high achievers and students having difficulty are also supported. The school offers an Accelerated Curriculum and Enrichment (ACE) program for students at years 7 - 10 and mainstream students in years 7-9 can also enjoy enrichment activities in a wide range of subjects through the ‘Access’ program.

[edit] Structure

The school is divided into three units; Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, each with a particular learning focus.

Each mini-school has a principal and year level manager as well as managers who are responsible for welfare, discipline and learning support, as well as developing and fostering student leadership.

Each mini-school team has a specific location in the school so that students find them easily. St. Helena's principals are: Principal - Trudy Thomson, Junior School Principal -George Willox, Middle School Principal - Rosemarie Neville, Senior School Principal - Karen Terry.

Each form is assigned form teacher who looks after its students and helps other teachers with discipline and welfare matters. The form teacher is the person to be contacted by parents and students if any problems arise.

A careers adviser also works closely with the Senior School to assist with course information and future career pathways.

[edit] Respect

Respect is a core value at St Helena, with three key foci:

1. Respect for the college and the community. Clearly articulated expectations of students’ conduct and behaviour guide the life of the college community.

2. Respect for peers: A key aspect of respect for peers is not allowing any form of bullying. The Anti-Bullying program at St Helena (controversially) addresses the issue of building positive student relationships, developing respect for others and giving students responsibility for the well being of others.

3. Respect for self: Self-respect is fostered by encouraging all students to recognise and develop their individual strengths and interests. However, the college complicates issues through the lack of individuality and personal development pathways through various policies implimented throught the school.

[edit] Commitment

[edit] Commitment to extra curricular program

The college is committed to a traditional core value of respect and they particularly respect teachers who enhance their extremely extensive extra curricular program. All nine learning areas are equally valued and there is an Accelerated Curriculum Enhancement Program (ACE Program).[1]

[edit] Commitment to HOTS and IT

Because of the high level of expertise in the use of information technology that already exists on the staff, all reports are computer generated, curriculum materials are expected to be stored on the college computer network and staff members enter their own data relating to most school operations. The college will be redeveloping its entire curriculum over the next three years with an emphasis on Higher Order Thinking and the use of information technology. This is known as the "HOTSPOT" project. All teachers are being trained in these skills, and, with the school's "Leading Schools" funding, at any time around twenty teachers will be released from a class each for a semester to work in groups with each group revising a section of the curriculum. It is the college's expectation that teachers commit to the introduction of the Higher Order Thinking Skills and IT in their curriculum and so agree to trial new curriculum as it is developed.[2]

[edit] Commitment to Performance & Development Culture

St Helena is proud of its tradition of mutual staff support. The college is also appreciative that it was selected in the first cohort of schools to gain accreditation for its "Performance and Development" culture. There is an expectation that all teachers will perform at a high level and participate in a program of performance management. Sharing amongst staff is a paramount value. Hence, it is an expectation of all new staff appointed to St Helena that:

  • They are committed to assisting in the development and redesign of curriculum, and

are willing to share with other staff.

  • They agree to visit other teachers' classrooms and open their own classrooms to

their fellow teachers.[3]

[edit] Curriculum

Each week is divided into 30 lessons of 48 minutes each. The technology program is organised so that over three years all students study all Technology areas. This policy of providing a core program to all students from years 7-9, rather than electives, broadens students’ experiences and skills.

The school day begins at 8.30am and finishes at 2.50pm. Each day is structured around the following curriculum:

Years 7-9

In years 7 - 9 all students study the same subjects.

Year 10

Students undertake core studies in English, Mathematics, Humanities and Physical Education/Health. Students choose three electives each semester. They must choose at least one Science, one Information Technology, one Arts and one Technology elective over the year. A range of VCE subjects are offered as part of the elective system.

Years 11-12

St Helena offers a broad range of subjects in years 11 and 12. The senior school contains 400 students and has excellent facilities in all curriculum areas. St Helena offers an extensive VCE program which successfully prepares students for all areas of tertiary study and employment. The college currently has courses in a wide range of subjects including English, Humanities, the Arts (both Visual and Performing), Business Studies, Mathematics, Science, Information Technology, Technology, Health and Human Development Studies and offers four VET (Vocational Education and Training) Courses.

[edit] Nanotechnology

Main article: Nanotechnology

As of the start of 2007, St Helena started offering Nanotechnology as a subject in years 10, 11 and 12, and as part of the science curriculum in years 7, 8 and 9. St Helena is the first high school in Victoria, Australia to offer Nanotechnology as a part of the standard curriculum for years 7 through 9, and as an elective in Year 10.

[edit] VCE Statistics

In 2006, the number of students enrolled in at least one VCE program increased to 299, with 225 enrolled in a VET certificate. 99% of students successfully obtained their VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education), with 95% of VET units of competence completed. The median study score dropped from 30.3 in 2005 to 29 in 2006, and 5% of students achieved Study Scores of above 40 (putting them in the top 8% of the state)

[edit] Performance

St Helena is well known for its performance tradition. Highlights of the year are the musical production, Rock Eisteddfod, drama production and music concerts.

Musical production

These are always outstanding successes and involve large numbers of students from years 7–12 both in casts and backstage. In recent years students have sung, danced and acted their way through such diverse productions as The Pajama Game, Footloose and the The Wizard of Oz, staged to packed audiences over 12 performances. Under the guidance of director, Glenda Evans, the musical productions take on a highly professional feel with each and every cast member striving for perfection. The productions encourage student involvement and have inspired many participants to continue to perform after leaving St Helena. The college recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary Musical Production, "Kismet".

A list of the schools musicals are as follows:

Rock Eisteddfod

The college is actively involved in the Rock Eisteddfod annual competition. The performances, although limited to eight minutes, enable over 100 students each year to work together to create and perform a dance routine which focuses on positive lifestyles.

Drama

In 2004 the first College Production was staged. The play “I’m on TV” allowed students, with the aid of director Emma Oliver, to build on and act out a story. The project was considered a success and therefore, has been added to the colleges list of annual events. This will provide another option to students interested in drama and performance. A list of the college plays are as follows:

  • 2004 - I'm on TV!
  • 2005 - Stilettos and Sneakers
  • 2006 - Dags
  • 2007 - Skate
  • 2008 – Cosi

Instrumental Music

Music performance is an important part of the curriculum at St Helena. In addition to normal classroom music, students are encouraged to learn a musical instrument so they can participate in one of the five school bands and numerous smaller groups. Many of these groups perform at local schools and in state, national and international competitions.

There are currently four concert bands, with brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, three jazz bands, as well as many smaller ensembles. Each year, the Senior Concert band and the Senior Jazz band travel interstate to compete in band competitions.

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au/thecollege/positions/St%20Helena%20Commitment.pdf
  2. ^ http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au/thecollege/positions/St%20Helena%20Commitment.pdf
  3. ^ http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au/thecollege/positions/St%20Helena%20Commitment.pdf

[edit] External links