GREEN BAY HIGH SCHOOL

Transcription

1 GREEN BAY HIGH SCHOOL

2 From the Principal a few words Green Bay High School: innovative, individualised and connected Our values are reflected in the Strategic Priorities of the Board of Trustees: BY CHOOSING TO ATTEND THEIR neighbourhood high school our families and students continue a relationship with their local community. The benefits that come from that continuity are significant. Everything is easier getting to school, seeing friends, making contact with teachers, attending sports practices or rehearsals, knowing who your children know. Attending the neighbourhood high school makes sense. Green Bay High School has been serving its community for nearly 40 years. Over this time it has been leader in educational innovation, nurtured an outstanding number of very successful graduates and placed a high value on developing independent, confident young adults. Now, as we accelerate into the new century, our school is taking the best of our past and weaving it into a fresh vision for our future. We want our reputation for being a small, friendly, semi-rural school to be blended with a sharp, professional focus on meeting the learning needs of the next generation of adults. In a rapidly changing world, our values are clear: Excellence Striving to do the best; acknowledging and celebrating the best. Respect Valuing individuals, the school and the environment. Responsibility Being accountable for learning - students, teachers and families. Innovation Taking intelligent risks; being enterprising and open to new ideas. Integrity Walking the talk; honesty; transparency High Achievement creating a culture of excellence Quality Teachers passionate, professional, innovative teachers make a difference Superior Information & Communications Technology an essential learning tool Effective Learning Environment ensuring the environment is conducive to learning Community Focus building and promoting strong links; neighbourhood networks Excellent Governance informed, strategic and committed The quality of a school relects the quality of its relationship with the community it serves. Where there is a genuine partnership with families the outcomes for students are always enhanced. I invite you to join us at this exciting time for our school and together we can make sure that our young people are the successful adults of the future. Morag Hutchinson BA, M.Ed.Mgmt.(Hons), Dip.Tch. P R O S P E C T U S 1

3 Learning and Academic Achievement our most important priority WE ARE COmmITTED TO providing learning that is innovative, individualised and connected. All students are entitled to high quality learning opportunities and to having their learning needs supported. Our expectation is that students will achieve to their potential and strive for excellence. An important guiding principle for us is that 'teachers make the difference'. This includes a focus on strengthening students' literacy and numeracy skills, developing thinking and inquiry skills, increasing the use of ICT, and building positive relationships between students and teachers as a foundation for effective learning and achievement. Our programme planning is informed by the New Zealand Curriculum and Qualifications Authority. This allows us to provide courses of study that meet the needs of all students in the school, along with the assurance of internationally recognised academic credentials. A broad, balanced and challenging curriculum JUNIOR COURSES Year 9 and 10 curriculum ensures that a sound knowledge and skills base is developed. All students study English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Physical Education and Health, with choices available to study a range subjects in Technology, Visual and Performing Arts and Languages (Te Reo Maori, French, German or Japanese). SENIOR COURSES At Years 11, 12 and 13 all courses lead to NCEA qualifications. We strongly encourage Year 11 students to undertake a broad curriculum programme that allows them to establish a solid base for further study. Students will select six subjects towards Level 1 NCEA, including English, Maths and Science, and three other full-year courses selected from the Arts, Social Sciences, Technology, Physical Education and Health, or Languages curricula. Year 12 students must study a course in English and five other subjects. We have an increasingly wide variety of academic and vocational courses from which to choose. All courses lead towards NCEA, with some also leading to another National Certificate. At Year 12 we offer our Gateway programme, which allows students to gain credits in workplace learning before they leave school. Year 13 students must select five courses. As in Year 12, we offer these students a variety of academic and vocational courses. All courses lead to NCEA and/or other National Certificates, which are all pathways to tertiary education. Students with an excellent academic record are encouraged to sit the University Scholarship examinations as well. 2 G R E E N B A Y H I G H S C H O O L

4 Meeting the Diverse Learning Needs of all students WE RECOGNISE THE limitations of a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to education. Everyone cannot learn the same thing at the same time or in the same way. A more individualized approach to learning is central to our curriculum planning. We ensure that individual learning needs are identified by our Academic Counselling programme, making sure that each student is following a course of study that helps them to achieve their learning goals. Academic Counselling is done in collaboration with students and their teachers, as well as families, and we regard this as critical to the success of our students. Banding and Multi-Level Study In Years 9 and 10, some subjects are broad-banded on ability levels: English, Science, Maths, Social Sciences and PE/ Health. Opportunities for multi-level study are available in the senior school. Some Year 11 students have the ability to study NCEA Level 2 or 3 courses. Similarly, students in years 12 and 13 may select courses from other levels in order to complete an NCEA or other National Certificate qualification. Learners with Special Abilities We identify these students through testing, referrals from teachers and previous schools, and parents. Through enrichment and acceleration opportunities, selected students engage in learning experiences that challenge them to extend their thinking, develop their individual talents and strive for excellence. Learners with Special Needs We provide a supported learning environment for Year 9 and 10 students who have identified significant learning difficulties. This is our Integrated Studies programme and only a limited number of places are available in it each year. We also provide some in-class support for mainstream individual students with specific learning difficulties. English language support is available to students whose first language is not English. Connected Technology and Digital Learning The use of current and relevant computer technology on a robust and modern network is a priority at Green Bay High School. Our dedicated computer labs run PC and Mac, modern animation, design and communication software and are available to all students across curriculum areas. Our recent network upgrades mean safe browsing, generous student accounts and portability of documentation for staff and students. Students are also able to access the School Wiki from home to pick up resources and assignment work. We connect digitally to parents through and online. The primary aim of all this technology is to prepare our students with the tools they need in an increasingly digital world. P R O S P E C T U S 3

5 Pastoral Care and Support.relationships matter DURING THE SECONDARY YEARS OF schooling, students are growing into adults and this can present challenges. The quality of a school should be measured, not by how well such challenges are avoided, but how positively they are managed. We believe we manage the challenges very effectively because: Our expectations of all students are simple, clear, commonsense and well communicated Our dedicated pastoral care team supports students to understand and meet these expectations Our practice is to involve parents as early as possible to resolve any problems, recognising that a robust partnership between school and home is crucial to a student s learning success. Our guiding principle is that relationships matter. What do we expect from members of our school community? Our School Code outlines the rights and responsibilities of all members of our school community. This code is also reflected in the expectations that students will see on the walls of their classrooms and in the school-wide rules outlined in their student diaries. Our expectations are reasonable and aim to ensure a positive, safe and well-ordered environment that encourages learning. We are generous with positive recognition for those who meet our expectations. This recognition consists of departmental rewards, Dean s recognition and positive postcards. Students may also be recognised in our weekly newsletters and web site, through Principal s letters and at assemblies, and they may gain valuable House points as well. Students who choose not to meet our expectations will face a clearly stated and graduated set of consequences including lunchtime, after school and Principal s detentions. Serious breaches of discipline are referred to the relevant dean or member of the senior management team, and parents contacted immediately. Bullying, violence and drug use offences are always in this category. The Green Bay High School Code: Rights and Responsibilities We have the Right to: Learn and teach without interruption Learn and teach in a safe environment Be treated with courtesy and respect Have pride in ourselves and our community Have a comfortable and stimulating learning environment We have the Responsibility to: Allow others to learn Keep our school a safe and healthy place Treat others with courtesy and respect Act in ways that build a positive image Keep our school tidy and attractive Our school understands the importance of restoring good relationships when there has been conflict or harm. To that end the principles of Restorative Practice underpin the strategies we use in dealing with the tensions or difficulties that arise from time to time in any school. A restorative approach to managing relationships: Encourages students to appreciate the consequences of their actions on others Enables students to make amends where their actions have harmed others Requires students to be accountable for their actions Encourages respect for all concerned How are students supported by the Pastoral Care Team? The team is managed by the Deputy Principal Student Services, and is comprised of Deans, Form Teachers and Counselling and Career Guidance staff. The Dean is responsible for the general welfare and supervision of the students in their cohort, and will follow this group through to graduation from Green Bay High School. Therefore the Dean will come to know their students very well and should be the first point of contact for parents and caregivers. Form Class and Tutor All students belong to a Year Level form class. This group meets once a day for roll check, notices and general school organization. The form tutor is responsible for monitoring student attendance, and works closely with the Dean on issues around pastoral care. The form tutor also follows their form group through their time at school, and consequently is often a key support for students at school. 4 G R E E N B A Y H I G H S C H O O L

6 House System All form classes belong to one of five houses (named after west coast beaches). The houses are led by elected Year 13 leaders, and each house also has a teaching staff member responsible for helping organise activities. The Houses provide students with the chance to build relationships with students from different year levels. Students and form classes gain points for their houses through a range of sporting events, charity fundraisers and other activities throughout the year. Pastoral Support Services Learning is most effective when students have positive feelings about themselves, when they can see a purpose in the work they are expected to do, and when teachers and parents have high expectations of them. So to this end: We provide a comprehensive counselling service by well qualified and highly experienced counsellors who are linked with outside agencies Our Careers and Transition Department provides up-to-date advice and guidance on matters related to career planning and subject choices. Contact with families is a priority School Uniform This encourages a sense of identity with our school and provides a common standard of grooming on which to build positive attitudes towards the importance of personal presentation. It also provides a measure of security we know who our students are. All students, except Year 13, wear school uniform. Year 13 students who carry out representative functions in the school are supplied with, or can purchase, a school tie and representative blazer. P R O S P E C T U S 5

7 Learning Beyond the Classroom experiences to engage, extend & enrich Student Leadership We know that growing the leadership capacity of our students is great for the school, but also crucial for our community and country. We have created a wide range of leadership development pathways so that all students can have an opportunity to learn through leadership experiences. We expect Year 13 students to step up in this respect. In particular, a group is selected as the formal Student Leaders team. These students are supported through the AUT Prefects that Peak programme. They drive a number of Councils that have responsibilities in the areas of Sports, Culture, Student Support, Social Action and Environmental initiatives. Other seniors contribute to these councils and encourage the engagement of younger students. A host of sports opportunities Sport, at both competitive and recreational levels, is a significant element of our co-curricula programme. We have some excellent coaches on our teaching staff, but also have developed some strong coaching relationships with local sports clubs to strengthen our sports profile. We field teams in Soccer, Rugby, Netball, Softball, Volleyball, Hockey, Basketball, Tennis, Snowboarding, Squash, Water Polo, Cricket, Golf and a host of other sports as the need arises. Since we are the closest high school to the famous west coast beach of Piha, of course we also have a Surf Team. We provide support for our elite athletes through the Shine programme a mentoring scheme in association with AUT. A thriving cultural and arts programme The development of our new auditorium and performing arts classrooms is testimony to the school s commitment to this aspect of learning. Built in collaboration with our community, this new facility allows us to take these Arts to a new level. Each year we proudly present an original school production. Created especially for us, our resident writer ensures that all who want to participate in this event can do so, either on the stage or behind the scenes in some way. Student engagement is a key objective but the standard of performance is always exceptional. Music has a rapidly expanding presence in the school an eclectic mix of performance groups, including rock, blues and choir are well supported by a strong and innovative teaching programme, and the vibrant local music community associated with the Titirangi Music Festival. Annual art and photography exhibitions highlight the talents of our artistic students. Kapa Haka, Mau Rakau, Debating, Theatre Sports, Indian Dance Group are all part of the mix on offer and if there is a way to make it happen, we will. 6 G R E E N B A Y H I G H S C H O O L

8 Connecting Globally international education opens us to the world BECAUSE WE ARE EDUCATING our students to be the successful adults of the future, it is essential that we find ways to connect to the wider world. Our international education programme welcomes fee-paying and exchange students from overseas, while at the same time we encourage students of Green Bay High School to participate in exchanges that will extend their learning horizons beyond New Zealand. International Exchange Programmes We have well established relationships with a number of exchange schemes in particular AFS, Rotary and City Council. Every year a number of students travel abroad to improve their foreign language learning, enrich their understanding of other cultures and build relationships with young adults in other parts of the world. International Students Programme This is designed to provide international students with short or long term learning opportunities in a typical New Zealand secondary school. Students have access to all the courses on offer at the school, but are also supported by English as a Second Language classes as necessary. Students live locally with approved homestay families. P R O S P E C T U S 7

9 Connecting Locally strong community partnerships We are fortunate to be part of the thriving community of the wider Titirangi area. There is a genuine partnership with this community expressed in a variety of relationships. We enjoy hosting a satellite class for OakLynn Special School students. The local Titirangi RSA supports us with scholarships grants and sponsorship. We lead the Kiwisport Cluster of local primary schools in a collaborative sports skills programme for local children. We are proud to be your neighbourhood secondary school. 8 G R E E N B A Y H I G H S C H O O L

10 GREEN BAY HIGH SCHOOL Godley Road, Green Bay, Auckland, New Zealand PO Box , Green Bay, Waitakere City 0643 Tel: +64 (9) Fax: +64 (9) Web: