Secondary School at St. Andrews Grammar

Mrs Maria Coate, Head of Secondary School (HOSS) is responsible for the overall management of the Secondary School.  The Secondary School is made up of two sub- schools: Years 7-10 and Years 11-12.

 

Pastoral

Each sub school has a pastoral co-ordinator: Mrs Christine Hiotis is the Lower Secondary (LSC) Pastoral Co-ordinator (7-10) and Ms Laura Nicholson is the Upper Secondary (USC) Pastoral Co-ordinator (11-12).  Mrs Maria Coate is The Head of Pastoral Care. All three staff members have offices in the administration building.

 

Form Group

Students are placed into vertical form groups from Years 7-12.  The form teacher is responsible for the pastoral care of the students in their form.  Each day (Monday to Thursday) we have form group from 8.45am – 9.00am where the roll is taken, daily notices are announced, the uniform is checked and the diary is checked.

 

The Emotional and Social Curriculum

On Friday’s we have long form where the new Social and Emotional Curriculum is taught. Topics include: communication, changes and challenges, self esteem, taking control and developing resilience, goal creations- goal setting, planning and achievements in learning, emotions, personality and beliefs, friendship and belonging, relationships, being a good citizen, dealing with bullying and harassment, exploring the realm of digital and electronic media, life skills, stress and coping, loss and grief, accessing support networks, study skills, exam techniques, the importance of reflecting and planning for life beyond school.

 

Meetings and Assemblies

We also have House Meetings, Year Meetings, Sub- School assemblies, Secondary School Assemblies and Whole School assemblies during long form on Friday.

 

 

The House System

Students are also placed in House Groups: Artemis (Red), Apollo (Gold), Demeter (Green), and Poseidon (Blue).  Each has a Head of House (Mrs Hiotis, Ms Halge, Mrs Crisp and Ms Hunt) and a House Captain (a Year 12 student leader).  Inter House competitions include: swimming, athletics, cross country, chess, debating, dodge ball and performing arts.  A shield is presented to the winning house for each of these competitions and to the overall winning house.  Inter-house competitions encourage friendly competition and social interaction amongst students. Each student is required to purchase a House Shirt.

 

Each House starts the year with a House Breakfast during long form group.  The House Breakfasts are an opportunity for students, House Captains and Heads of House to enjoy collegiality and to foster House spirit (creating war chants, mascots, banners, music).

 

Inter-school Competitions

 

Inter-school teams are selected from these Inter House competitions for swimming, athletics and cross-country.  Students are expected to purchase a white sports shirt for school representation.

 

Student Council

Students in Years 7-12 are able to nominate for the Student Council. There are two representatives (boy and girl) from each Year group from 7-12, four from Year 11 (two boys and two girls) and four from Year 12 (Head Boy, Head Girl, Chair of Council and Council Secretary).  The Student Council is a forum for student representatives to raise student matters and concerns, organise fund raising activities and learn and demonstrate leadership skills. Students are presented with their badges at the Secondary School assembly.

 

The Year 12 Executive

Year 12’s are the senior students in the school and are able to nominate for The Year 12 Executive. Positions include: Head Boy, Head Girl, Sports Captain (boy and girl), House Captains (4), Chair of Council, Council Secretary, Academic Captain, Functions Captain, Performing Arts Captain, Publications Captain and Community Services Captain.  Students are presented with their badges at speech night.

All Year 12’s receive a Year 12 senior’s badge at speech night.

 

Restorative Practice

We use Restorative Practice to strengthen relationships and manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm as a way of building community.  It is a philosophical approach and not a package.  We use restorative practice because it: enhances learning, engages student, diminishes difficult behaviour, builds a strong sense of community, lowers suspension/expulsion rates, encourages higher attendance and participation at school, helps to build emotional literacies of children, everyone gets the message they are important, students feel empowered and the process preserves the dignity and respect of everyone.

 

We now have the services of a Student Counsellor – Mr Nicholas Papandreou.  He comes to the school once per week for a whole day.  Students can see him via referral from the HOSS, USC or LSC.  His appointments are managed by Student Services (the administration staff at reception).

 

Health Centre

The Health Centre is also managed by Student Services and is located in the administration building.

Duty of Care

Students can only sign out during the day if they have a written note from home and a parent/guardian meets the student at reception.

 

Communication

Communication is a key ingredient to a successful school.  The communication process (via diary entry, e-mail, phone call or in person – pre arranged meeting) is as follows:

 

(i)            If you have a pastoral/general concern or query regarding your child you must communicate this to their form teacher, if this is not appropriate/satisfactory then communicate with the relevant pastoral co-ordinator, following that the Head of Secondary and finally (rarely, if at all) the Principal.

(ii)          If you have an academic concern or query regarding your child you must communicate this to their subject teacher if this is not appropriate/satisfactory then communicate with the Head of Secondary and finally (rarely, if at all) the Principal.

 

 

CURRICULUM

Teaching and Learning

Teaching and Learning is the core business of the school.  The Head of Secondary is also the Head of Curriculum.

Whole School Literacy and Numeracy Programme

In collaboration with AISWA, we have developed a whole school programme for literacy and numeracy and have established a professional learning team including: the HOSS, HOPS, three primary school and two secondary school teachers (Ms Jodie Walsh and Ms Nicole Xouris).

Douglas Fisher’s Structure For Instruction

In the Secondary School, teachers use the Douglas Fisher Structure for Instruction: Teacher responsibility: focus lesson and guided instruction (“I do it”; “We do it”); Student responsibility: collaborative and independent (“You do it together”; You do it alone”).

Assessments

Each formal assessment has a formal St. Andrew’s Assessment cover page that includes: name, subject, date, type of assessment, conditions, weighting of assessment, mark allocations and record of marks, teacher feedback/comment, student reflection and  parent signature.

 

Reports

Years 7-12 receive an interim report in Term One and a semester report for Semesters One and Two.

 

Parent Teacher Meetings

These occur at the beginning of Term Two. Students are invited to attend.

 

Awards Assemblies

At the end of each term, there is an awards assembly where students are recognised for: academic excellence, academic effort, sporting achievements and citizenship.

 

Subjects and Courses

In Years 7-10 there are core subjects and options/electives.

 

Compulsory subjects include: the core subjects- English, Mathematics, Science and Society and Environment, the LOTE language is Modern Greek, Sport, Health and Religion (orthodox studies or faith and values).

 

Years 7-10 English and Mathematics are streamed into extension and general classes. In Mathematics in Years 7/8 we have three streams (extension, general and enrichment).  Students are placed in classes based on ACER diagnostic test results. Students are able to move between classes based on their ability to cope, class tests and examination results.

 

Science and Society and Environment classes are not streamed.  Students sit for ACER science diagnostic tests and St. Andrew’s Grammar history diagnostic tests.

 

Modern Greek classes are streamed into extension and general classes based on diagnostic tests.

 

Diagnostic tests, along with NAPLAN results and school reports form the basis of data that is used to monitor individual student academic progress and to identify strengths and weakness for individual students and year cohorts.

 

Options/Electives include: music, art, drama, home economics (cooking); computing; technology, commerce and Physical Educational Studies.  These will vary from year to year.

 

In 2013 we plan to introduce a mining option /elective; financial literacy option/elective and an economics option/elective that focuses on the Chinese and Indian economies.  We recognise that we live in a booming state economy whose wealth is generated from minerals and energy.  It is important that we prepare our students with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in the mining and business communities.

 

Homework Club

Homework Club is offered in Years 7-10 after school (for one hour) as follows:

• Monday: Society and Environment – Ms Nicholson (SS1)
• Tuesday: Science – Ms Walsh (SS1)
• Wednesday: Mathematics – Mr Williamson (SS1)
• Thursday: English – Mrs Crisp (SS1)

 

All students are encouraged to attend Home Work Club for enrichment, support, extension, help with homework, help with assignments, preparing for tests and clarifying difficult concepts.

 

Subject Team Leaders 2012:

English: Mrs Pauline Crisp

Mathematics: Ms Jodie Walsh and Mr Mark Williamson

Science: Ms Jodie Walsh

Society and Environment: Ms Laura Nicholson

Sport: Mr Philip Oliphant (Head of Sport)

Health: Ms Jodie Walsh

Drama: Ms Shannon Sodanno

Music: Ms Irene Dios

Options: Ms Samantha Hunt

Greek Studies Co-ordinator (K-12): Mrs Maria Coate

Modern Greek Language: Mr Pavlos Iosifides

Orthodox Studies: The Very Reverend Father Elpidios

Greek Culture: Mrs Katerina Reklitis

Faith and Values: Mrs Christine Hiotis

Community Service: Mrs Christine Hiotis

Careers: Ms Laura Nicholson

 

Education Leading Technology – Information Communications Technology (ICT)

In an ever changing world it is imperative that schools afford students the best possible opportunities by incorporating technologies as part of the teaching and learning environment. St. Andrew’s has embraced this pathway and is now embarking on a vision to be recognised locally and nationally for its innovative teaching practices in the ICT domain.

 

To achieve this goal our teachers have welcomed the new world of ICT, and our students have demonstrated greater application to the learning process. These technologies will enable an increase in collaboration and sharing of experiences with fellow students, but also develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for the future.  Put succinctly our students will excel in their learning.

 

St. Andrew’s Grammar School is undergoing exceptional change with the introduction of the 1:1 iPad2 programme for Years 7-10.  Conversations are also taking place to trial the introduction of iPads into Years 11 and 12 to better prepare students for university study as all tertiary institutions are now embracing iPads into university programmes.

 

We have hired XCITE (Computer Company)to facilitate the implementation of the iPad programme which includes staff professional development; IT support and student workshops.

 

We have nominated three leading ICT teachers in the Secondary School to provide leadership and mentoring for staff and students: Ms Laura Nicholson, Mr Mark Williamson and Ms Shea Halge.

 

 

 

Years 11-12

In Years 11 and 12 students choose WACE courses at various stages (P, 1, 2 or 3).  At St. Andrew’s Grammar we offer: English, English Literature, all Mathematics courses, Modern History, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Human Biology, Drama, Modern Greek, Physical Education Studies, Art, Career and Enterprise, Business Management and Enterprise, Workplace Learning, Children, Family and Community, and Food, Science and Technology.  We will continue to build on the curriculum breadth offered.

 

After school academic tuition is offered in most of the above courses.

 

Extra Curricular Programme

All Secondary teachers are expected to offer an extra – curricular activity.  In 2012 we are offering: swimming, soccer, netball, table tennis, chess, tennis, debating, drama – school production, high school music band, homework club and Year 11/12 academic tuition.

 

Library

The library will be open from 8.30am until 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and until 3.30pm on Friday for student use.

 

Careers Counselling

We have a careers councillor – Ms Laura Nicholson who will interview all Year 10-12 students, facilitate career planning, facilitate subject selection, track WACE pathways and WACE graduation requirements.

 

Guest Speaker Programme

In Years 11/12 students have a weekly guest speaker session (facilitated by the USC) with guest speakers including:  TISC, University of WA, Curtin University, Murdoch University, ECU, Notre Dame University, TAFE, RAC, Police, Trauma, Mental Health, Health, Careers, Study Skills and Examination Technique and Social Media issues.

 

Excursions and Incursions

A variety of activities are offered across the core subjects, options and upper school courses throughout the year.

 

School Camps

In 2013, all camps will be held in Term One (the week before Easter) as follows:

 

Year 7: 3 days (orientation and transition)

Years 8/9: 4 days (team building)

Years 10/11: 4 days (team building and community service)

Year 12: 4 days (retreat and study skills).

 

All students and staff will be on camp for that week.  This will minimise disruption to the teaching and learning programme.

 

Years 7/8 Canberra Trip

In Years 7/8 we have a Canberra trip at the end of Term Two.  This provides the students in the transition years an opportunity to: bond, gain independence, consolidate old friendships and establish new ones and to learn about the history, geography, economics and politics of Australia.  It also teaches students about civics and civic responsibility.  There is one day spent in the snow at Perisher Blue.

 

GOSSA

Each year, students from the Secondary School travel interstate to represent the school at GOSSA. Teams are usually sports based but can also include cultural activities.  Mrs Christine Hiotis is the GOSSA trip co-ordinator.

Exchange Opportunities and Overseas Tours

In 2012 there will be exchange opportunities offered to students and in 2013 we will be offering students an overseas school trip.

Our Educational Philosophy

We believe we have a wonderful and unique community at St. Andrew’s Grammar.  The Secondary School has changed dramatically in the last year.  This has been due to changes in processes, structures and systems, the introduction of numerous initiatives and the hiring of new specialist classroom teachers.  I believe it will become the school of choice for parents to send their children for best practice in pastoral care and academic rigour.

 

I believe the education process is a collaborative one, between students, teachers and parents. The best educational outcomes will be achieved if we work together with open dialogue and constructive feedback.

 

If you have any queries regarding the Secondary School or you simply wish to meet with me to discuss the Secondary School, please contact my assistant, Ms Natasha Hill, who will make an appointment for you to see me.

 

I look forward to personally welcoming you and your child to our wonderful Secondary School.

 

 

 

Mrs Maria Coate

Head of Secondary School