Since being awarded international school status in 2006, the school has implemented changes to cater for the academic, social and emotional needs of international students. There are now a range of comprehensive systems in place to enhance
SPECIAL PROGRAMS These programs are available to international students.
• Academic Extension (Years 8 – 10) is an in-house program
relationships between international students, local students and
which receives excellent community support. Its main aim is
staff, and to improve academic performance.
to allow top students to achieve their potential.
Academically, Woodvale students perform significantly above
• Basketball Program (Years 8-12) aims to develop skills,
the state average and the school regularly receives awards in recognition of being one of the top public schools in WA which has been officially recognised by the State Education Minister. It is common for the school to gain 100% English Language Competence for our Year 12s as well as 100% graduation. Woodvale consistently has students who excel in the Tertiary Entrance Exam and Wholly School Assessed subjects, and has achieved Subject Exhibition Awards (top student in state), Certificates of Distinction (top 0.5% of state) and students have been awarded Certificate of Excellence (at least 10 ‘A’ grades). Woodvale is also regularly in the top 10 schools in the state for a variety of subjects. The school’s National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy test results are consistently above the national average. The school's size allows it the flexibility
attitudes and knowledge in students that will enable them to compete successfully at the highest levels.
to offer a particularly extensive list of special programs as well as courses that are wholly school assessed or tertiary entrance scored. This has led graduates to enter the workforce or continue their studies at TAFE or university and to achieve career paths into a large cross section of fields. Woodvale SHS has recently again been judged one of the best schools in the state in terms of students being offered their first perference of university courses.
LANGUAGES TAUGHT The school’s ‘Access Asia’ focus has resulted in it being one of Western Australia’s new language centres. All Year 8 students study a language and the school offers Japanese and Mandarin Courses to Years 8-12. Woodvale SHS is one of the few official ‘Confucius Classroom Schools’. Through sponsorship from the Confucius Institute’s Headquarters in Beijing and the Western Australian Department of Education, the school runs the courses and has authentic Mandarin speaking teachers visiting from China to support the school’s Mandarin teachers. Assistance is also provided by WA’s Confucius Institute.
• Soccer Program (Years 8 – 12) offers the only Department of Education and Training approved Specialist Soccer Program located in the northern suburbs of Perth. It commenced in 2000 and caters for both genders, with classes for boys and girls in all years. It has won three state finals in the last four years.
• Music (Years 8 – 12) is well established and sees 20% of the student population participating in an instrumental program. There is a variety of bands and a range of instruments played.
• Instep (Years 11 – 12) offers a once a week work placement and school curriculum with a career focus in a range of fields.
• Vocational Education and Training (Years 11 – 12) offers a popular Animal Studies Course.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE Woodvale offers ongoing ESL support when students are in mainstream classes. The school also runs the university recognised English as a Secondary Language/Dialect Course for Year 11 and Year 12 students.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES The school has a large, experienced student support team. Every member of the team works on a full time basis and meets regularly to provide comprehensive pastoral care for all students. The International Students Coordinator monitors the progress of international students and keeps regular contact with the, school administration, the student services team, teachers, families, agents and home stay carers.
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