Year 7 2024 - booklet

COMMENCING

YEAR 7 INFORMATION

BOOKLET

WELCOMING YOU TO OUR SCHOOL IN 2024

I would like to extend to you a very warm welcome to Wangaratta High School We look forward to working together as you embark on the new phase of your education experience

Our Vison

Our vision at Wangaratta High School is to empower all students to grow

academically,sociallyandemotionallythroughprovidinganoutstanding learningenvironmentbuiltonhighexpectationsforsuccessthatwillenableallstudents,with support,toexperiencequalityteachingwithinapositiveclimateforlearningOurgraduates willbeindependent,lifelonglearnerswhoareequippedtomakeapositiveimpactonthe worldaroundthem

OurNarrative

AtWangarattaHighSchoolweplaceeachchildatthecentreofourthinkingOurfocusisto ensurethateverychildbecomesaconfident,curious,creativeandanindependentthinker andlearner,whoisabletoachievetheirpersonalbest

Wemodelandnurturerespectfulrelationshipstocreateapositiveenvironmentinwhich everychildcanthrive

Ourschoolisavibrant,innovativelearningcommunitybasedontheprinciplesofquality learningOurhighlyskilledteachersdesignandactivateabroadrangeofprogramstoengage andchallenge,exciteandinspireeveryyoungpersontopursuetheiruniquepathway Throughstructuredandflexiblelearningopportunitiesweempowerstudentsto exploreandnegotiatetheirlearningsothattheycanmakeadifferenceintheirschool,local andglobalcommunities

KeyPersonnel

IfthereisanythingthatIcanassistyouwithasyoureadyyourchildforYear7,pleaseletme oranyofourteamknowWelookforwardtobeingapartoftheireducationaljourneyat WangarattaHighSchool.

DaveArmstrong ExecutivePrincipal

Principal's Welcome 1

Mr Dave Armstrong Executive Principal

Mr John Paola

Assistant Principal: Positive Climate for Learning

Ms Sheri Parkhouse Assistant Principal: Excellence in Teaching & Learning

Ms Hannah Nott Junior School Years 7 & 8 Leading Leader

Ms Jodie Bell Enrolments Officer Year 7 Year Level Leader

Ms Leah Coles Homeroom Coordinator Year 7 Year Level Leader

Ms Meryl Herman SEAL Coordinator

Key Dates

Transition Information Evenings

22nd March 2023

5th September 2023

Bus Travel Applications Due

20th June 2023

Orientation Days

11th to 13th of December 2023

Welcome Letter Confirming Placement

Sent from 20th July 2023

2024 Term Dates

Please see below

General Information

Administration Office

Parents and Carers are welcome to contact our Administration Office regarding any enquiries, information or appointments Access to students during the day is limited, our staff will endeavor to have any received message passed on to students by recess or lunchtime Only in an extreme emergency will students be called out of class to a phone call or visit For security reasons, we require all visitors to report to the Administration Office, where they will be required to sign in electronically

Office opening hours

8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Bus Travel

Any student who lives more than 4.8 km from the school may be eligible for free bus travel. Contact our Bus Coordinator, Amy Waide on 03 5723 0500 (option 2) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30am to 4:30pm for more information

Contributions

Schools can request contributions from parents under three categories:

Voluntary financial contributions for curriculum items and activities which the school deems necessary for students to learn the Curriculum.

Compass

Voluntary financial contributions for non-curriculum items and activities that relate to the school’s functions and objectives.

Items and activities that enhance or broaden the schooling experience of students and are above and beyond what the school provides for free to deliver the Curriculum. These are provided on a user-pays basis.

At Wangaratta High School, we use a school management / communication program called Compass The Compass App is an easy-to-use online communication platform between our school and your family. Compass enables parents/carers to receive messages from the school, view timetables, book parent-teacher conferences, add attendance notes, view academic reports, pay fees and consent to events from the comfort of your own home

Lockers

AllnewYear7studentswillbeissuedwithalockerandcombinationlockatthebeginningof theyear.

Uniform

Studentsarerequiredtowearschooluniformatalltimesandthepolicyisstrictlyenforced ThisincludesabuckethatinTerms1and2 Worklockeristhesoleproviderofapproved WangarattaHighSchooluniforms.

ContactWorklocker:0357224644

Address:120MurphyStreet,WangarattaVIC3677

Lunches

Theschoolcanteenisavailableforstudentstopurchasetheirlunchorrecessduringbreak times

StudentsareNOTpermittedtoleavetheschoolgroundsatanytimetogototheshops. ThecanteenisguidedbytheDepartmentofEducationandTrainingDevelopment;Healthy FoodPolicy

Wellbeing

StudentWellbeingunderpinsandsupportsallareasofourschool.

OurWellbeingTeamisavailabletostudentsinallyearlevels,toofferassistancewithany difficultiestheymaybeexperiencing Atalltimestheinformationofbothparents/carersand studentsistreatedconfidentially Wehavecounsellors,nursesandamentalhealth practitioneronstaff

Practicalinformationaswellasreferraltocommunitysupportandspecialistscanbeprovided. StudentscanaccesstheWellbeingTeamduringlunch/recessorviatheAdministrationOffice duringclasstime

Ifyoubelievethatyourchildhasaparticularneedforanyoftheseservices,pleasediscuss yourrequirementswithamemberofourWangarattaHighSchoolTeam.

OurHouses

AllstudentsareallocatedaHouse ThefourHousesareKing(green),Ovens(blue),Wareena (red)andMerriwa(yellow) TheHouseprogramfacilitatesHousecompetitionsinsportandcocurricularactivities.

StudentLeadership

Studentshaveawiderangeofleadership opportunitiesatWangarattaHighSchooland areencouragedtobeactiveparticipantsinthe schoolandwidercommunity.Studentshavethe opportunitytobecomeYearLevelLeadersand HouseCaptains Withintheseniorschool, studentshavetheopportunitytobecomePeer SupportLeadersandPrefectstosupportand leadtheschoolwhilstgainingvaluable leadershipskillsforthefuture.

Studentleadersrepresenttheschoolon numerousoccasions,includingANZACDay ceremoniesandEducationalandYouthworkshops

Teaching and Learning at Wangaratta High School

At Wangaratta High School we support teachers and students to incorporate the models of ‘best practice pedagogy’ into normal everyday classroom teaching and learning practice

We adopt a best practice instructional model that aligns with our School Core Values

L

Learning intentions/success criteria Clearly stated learning tasks and time management outlines displayed in each lesson to promote connections and ownership for students E

Explicit Teaching. Guided teaching practice that includes questioning to establish understanding and showing skills, strategy and process A

Application. Students apply and practice skills with a teacher observing and providing feedback, inclusive of a small group, independent and interdependent learning tasks R

Reflections. Students reflect on learning goals, self-assessing what and how they are learning and reviewing key points N

Now where? Teacher reflections on what has or hasn't worked in the classroom and the development of assessment strategies

Learning Community Structure

In order to ensure that we cater for the academic and wellbeing needs of all of our students, we have implemented a Learning Community system

Our three Sub-Schools are:

The Junior Years Learning Community - (Students in Years 7 to 8)

The Middle Years Learning Community - (Students in Years 9 to 10)

The Senior Years Learning Community - (Students in Years 11 to 12)

Homeroom

At Wangaratta High School we have a daily 20 minute Homeroom for all year levels

This curriculum-aligned subject is designed to assist students with their personal development and understanding of their own and others’ emotions It is also a chance for students to connect with a Homeroom teacher who they can look to for support academically and socially It is a part of our school curriculum and students’ participation in the subject will be included in their report.

Each week, we focus on a different area of emotional intelligence and social learning such as bullying, peer pressure and gender diversity Additionally, we use this time to ensure students are building their organisational skills by checking in with their Diary usage and making sure they have required materials for all subjects

Parents and carers can support students in this subject by encouraging the use of diaries for extra-curricular activities and regularly checking in with them about their progress in all subject areas

Behavioural Expectations

Respect

Use manners

Listen to teachers and peers - follow instructions

Accept differences - be kind and inclusive

Have pride in yourself and your school

Safe

Treat others and the environment with care

Follow safety instructions

Use equipment appropriately and with care

Think about your actions - be alert and stay calm

Bags in lockers

Ready To Learn

Personal Best

Be persistent - keep trying

Be resilient - bounce back

Challenge yourself - have a go

Encourage others

Be on time

Bring required equipment - diary, fully charged laptop, pencil case, books

Be an active and engaged participant

Make the most of learning opportunities

Course Structure

The school year is divided into two semesters and each semester has two terms Students are formally assessed at the end of each semester and are provided with interim reports at the end of Terms 1 and 3. This is followed closely by student led, parent teacher conversations around their progress

Year 7 students study a common core curriculum The majority of their classes are undertaken within their Homeroom Groups Core subjects such as Mathematics, English, Science and Humanities run for the whole year In addition students study Italian as a language

Subjects Offered in 2024

English,Mathematics,Humanities,Science,Italian,MusicandHealth& PhysicalEducation

Inaddition,studentswillcompleteonesemesterofthefollowingsubjects:

7

-Plastics

-Metal

-VisualArt

-Food

-Textiles

Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) Program

Victorian Government secondary schools have been operating specific programs at authorised schools for gifted students since 1980 These have been known as Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) schools The Academy of Accredited SEAL Schools (TAASS) has been established to maintain this tradition to enable groups of like minded students to develop academically, socially and emotionally.

Wangaratta High School is proud to be the only school that offers an accredited SEAL Program serving the Wangaratta District, Ovens Valley, King Valley and surrounding regions For more information, please refer to our booklet

Supporting our Indigenous Students

Wangaratta High School's aim is to work with the Koorie Academy Liaison Officer (KALO) to provide additional support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families Please contact our Administration Office if you would like further information about specific supports or programs

The Koorie Academy of Excellence (KAE)

The Koorie Academy of Excellence (KAE) is an out of school hours program supporting young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to develop a connection to culture, leadership skills and their academic capabilities

What does the program look like?

The KAE is a ‘virtual’ academy, meaning there is no permanent dedicated classroom, building or space Camps, events and social gatherings run by the NEVR KAE and will be held at various venues around the Ovens Murray area and Melbourne

The KAE program aligns with four pillars:

1. Connection to culture

2 Leadership

3 Academic strength and school engagement

4 Career passion and knowledge

This is provided through a range of potential activities including:

One-on-one time with a KALO Camps

Excursions & Activity Days

Career related short courses & workshops

Mentoring

Support & opportunities from University/TAFE & corporate partners

Cultural experiences

Sporting/Arts/Community events

What is the role of the Koorie Academy Liaison Officer (KALO)?

The KALO is the main point of contact for KAE members and their families. The KALO works one-on-one with KAE members to identify their needs and guide them along their inspirational journey The KALO also designs and delivers the KAE program in line with the KAE pillars

MacqLit Reading Program

MacqLit stands for Macquarie Literacy Program

What is MacqLit? What does the program involve?

An Intensive program provides reading instruction for struggling readers. It is delivered to small groups of students.

The specifically sequenced lesson delivers a very clear literacy instruction It involves the skills for reading being taught clearly by the teacher

The program has a 3 step process:

1 The teacher shows the skill to the students

2 The students practice the skill with the help of the teacher

3. The student practices the skill by themselves.

There are regular reviews of the skills learnt in the program

All skills are taught until the student masters the skill The students receive immediate feedback

What is the focus of the program?

To learn the relationships between sound and symbol - so that quick, accurate and effortless reading of words is achieved

What is taught in the program?

There are 52 sets of skills to cover, depending on where the student starts

Each skill is carefully taught through scripted lessons Each lesson has a few short activities included to teach the set skill

Why MacqLit?

MacqLit has a strong evidence/research base

It is an Australian based program

The program is delivered to small groups of students, no more than 5 in a group. The program will be more frequently conducted.

Lisa Norris is our MacqLit Coordinator and supports each student on their educational journey at Wangaratta High School

How are we organised?

At Wangaratta High School we strive for continuous improvement in everything that we do

Sessions and Timetable

At Wangaratta High School, we have 5 sessions a day, with an earlier lunch and afternoon recess We believe that the earlier lunch will serve all students better, especially our students that travel from out of town

Below is an example of a student's timetable:

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program

A renewed and re-invigorated focus on Ready to Learn and Bring Your Own Device

The School's Bring Your Own Device Program (BYOD) enhances teaching and learning within the classroom Our rationale is to ensure all students have the skills to access opportunities to learn anytime, anywhere, while at the same time understanding how to manage technology to improve their learning

To do this, students from Year 7 to Year 12 are required to bring a suitable, charged device to school each day to support their learning, with teachers increasing the use of in-class technology-based activities to enhance pedagogy Wangaratta High School has partnered with 'Learning With Technology’ (LWT), who have put together a portal allowing parents to purchase discounted devices that meet all our minimum requirements. Parents can access further information and purchase devices by visiting the following link https://wangarattahs orderportal com au/ Please note however, that you may purchase a device from any store of your choice

For more detailed information on the School’s BYOD policy please visit the Wangaratta High School website

Student Diary

To complement our Homeroom system and support student Readiness to Learn we issue all students with a Wangaratta High School Diary This will occur on the first day of school The Diary is to be bought to each class and signed weekly by the parent/carer and Homeroom teacher. It is primarily designed to facilitate personal and learning organisation.

Extra Curricular Items and Activities

Sport

Students can enter the inter-house sporting events of athletics and swimming Successful students then go on to represent Wangaratta High School at interschool and state levels During the year, students have the opportunity to try out for many interschool sporting teams includingcricket,netball,football,soccer,tennis,tabletennisandbadminton

Music

Wangaratta High School has a long-standing tradition of an outstanding music program. Students are provided with the opportunity to learn an instrument of their choice and participate in various ensembles and bands All students who learn an instrument are requiredtoattendscheduledlessons/rehearsals

We aim to challenge and extend student ability through setting high expectations and a wide variety of performance opportunities, striving for excellence and empowering students to do theirpersonalbest

Concerts, music camps and music tours are part of the annual calendar of music events All newYear7familieswillbeinvitedtotakeuptheoptiontolearnaninstrument.

LunchtimeActivities

Arangeoflunchtimeactivitiesareonoffereachterm,rangingfromourDiversityClub, Dungeons/Dragons&BoardGamesClub,ArtClubandBookClubandGym

Camps and Excursions

Wangaratta High School students are invited to be involved in excursions, overnight stays and/or camps, thus enriching their education by allowing participation in this important area of school life Camps and excursions offer excellent environmental and social experiences for our students

Notes

Notes