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A decision has finally been made on the future of secondary education in Griffith with a $25 million merged school across the two existing campuses the winning option, following months of debate and suspense.
Below is a breakdown of some of the more frequently asked questions taken from the Department of Education’s site ‘The Future of Secondary Education in Griffith’.
One school, two sites
What informed the one school two site educational provision for Griffith?
The feedback received through the consultation activities has helped shape the decision to progress to an operating model unique to Griffith with a single school across two sites. Education for our children will always be a priority of NSW Government and we are focused on solutions which lead to better outcomes.
This model best reflects the future of secondary education in Griffith where the emphasis is on continual improvement of educational goals and outcomes for students. This model will address local concerns and expectations, provide innovative learning spaces, enhance the quality of teaching and learning and provide clear pathways to further study or employment.
How will the success of this new model be determined?
A formal evaluation of this unique education model for Griffith will be undertaken. The evaluation will examine a variety of factors including student academic performance, attendance and retention improvement, student, staff and community satisfaction and post school destinations of students.
Zoning
As the two sites are one school, are there still zoning boundaries?
A student’s enrolment at a site will be based on the current zoning areas. Each student will, however, have access to the curriculum, extracurricular activities and facilities at both sites.
All students entering secondary school will have a common orientation and participate in a Year 6 transition program before attending the school site for which they are zoned.
Transport
Will my child have to travel between the two sites?
In Years 7 to 10 students will predominantly have their whole school curriculum provided at one site. To meet the widest curriculum for all, particularly Years 11 and 12, there will be times when some students will need to travel to access their preferred pattern of study.
The school day will consist of longer lesson times to reduce unnecessary movement between classrooms and sites. A comprehensive bus co-ordination plan will be designed and implemented to ensure a smooth and timely transition between sites for both students and teachers.
Throughout the transition period leading up to 2019, the new principal will work with staff to develop a clear and articulated timetable that identifies any travel that may be required by both staff and students, which will be communicated to the school community.
Will each school own a bus or is the transport outsourced to a local bus proprietor?
A decision regarding the use of a school owned bus or a private company will be made by the school principal in consultation with parents and carers once potential movements between sites are determined.
I understand that I will have an increased subject choice, but won’t I lose class time by having to travel to the other site?
The school day will consist of longer lesson times to reduce unnecessary movement between classrooms and sites. A comprehensive bus co-ordination plan will be designed and implemented to ensure a smooth and timely transition between sites for both students and teachers.
As a teacher, am I expected to travel from one site to another in my preparation or break time?
Consideration will be given to movement times when constructing staff teaching loads. Blended lesson delivery utilising technology will also be explored to support individualised student learning and minimise staff and student movement.
School Community
Who will know and support my child?
Each year group will have a year advisor at each site. The year advisors will work collaboratively as a team to ensure all students’ social, behavioural and academic needs are met and parents and carers are kept informed through open communication processes.
How will my child’s wellbeing needs be catered for by the new school?
Student wellbeing will continue to be a priority for the school. Comprehensive programs and processes and dedicated staff will ensure responsive and meaningful support for every student every day.
Funding will be available to provide a framework of support for wellbeing services, including trained dedicated staff, a full time counsellor and where required school learning support officers.
Staff will know every student and their family, have respectful relationships and greater flexibility in their work role.
The school will collaborate with external agencies to provide a link for students, parents and carers to provide services that can support their needs.
How will we build school spirit and identity?
This will be underpinned by extra curricula activities and special events where whole year groups will work in a unified approach. It could also include integrated sport, theme days targeted across year groups so they work with a common approach, creative and performing arts activities such as dance, music and performance, as well as debating and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects.
Participation from all students at special events such as ANZAC Day ceremonies, NAIDOC week ceremonies and Clean-Up Australia Day, will be coordinated for student participation. School sporting carnivals will be attended by students from both sites.
The student representative council will take a leadership role in building a culture of school pride, identity and sense of belonging.
How will the name and uniform for the new school be determined?
GSEAC will support the department and community in defining the process for the selection of the new school name, logo, motto and uniform design.
Following the commencement of the new school principal, formal processes will be undertaken to consult with all stakeholders to inform decision making.
Will there be any financial assistance for the purchase of new uniforms?
Any claim for financial assistance will be considered on a case by case basis.
Will the heritage of each school be respected?
We are committed to ensuring the heritage and legacy of both schools are honoured through careful planning and consideration. Suitable recognition of each school’s history, in consultation with school representatives, will be an important step in the planning process.
What is the Parent and Citizens’ Association structure going to look like?
The Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) of each school will continue as they are for the remainder of 2017.
Throughout 2018 each P&C will work collaboratively to develop terms of reference for the establishment of the new school P&C to commence 2019.
Student Opportunities
Will I have less chance of representing my school in sport because the coaches can choose from more students?
The increase in student numbers may impact on selection into competitive school sports team. Schools with larger student populations generally participate in a broader range of sporting competitions, increasing opportunities for students. In addition to the interschool competitions, the larger student population will allow for enhanced inter house competitions within the school.
Will the opportunity to represent at Riverina/State level be the same?
Team selection processes from the new school should make the school teams more competitive at Riverina and Combined High School competitions. Selection for inclusion in individual or regional teams will continue to be based on the individual ability of each student.
Will school sporting carnivals be held together?
The school will hold common sporting carnivals attended by students from both sites.
I’m currently one of my school’s student leaders. Who will be on the Student Representative Council for the new school?
The Student Representative Councils (SRC) from the existing schools will work together during Terms 1 and 2, 2018 to develop the constitution and student representation for the new school. It is envisaged that the constitution will be finalised by the end of Term 2. This will allow time for the students to be fully informed about the new SRC before elections are held in Terms 3 and 4, 2018 for 2019.
Will the two sites offer different subjects?
The school will offer a common timetable in 2019 between the two 7-12 sites. The selection of electives and senior subjects will be driven by student choice. Some site specific subject specialisation delivery may be established to enhance facilities and to avoid duplication.
I am interested in the creative and performing arts and my current school supports my interest. Will the new school cater for my interests?
The larger student cohort will increase the range of creative and performing arts subjects offered and the opportunity to engage in extracurricular arts programs.
Funding
How will the $25 million be used to improve the one school, two sites model?
Both current schools will receive general improvements to their physical assets. The working group focused on the assets and building program will work with the department to help shape the plans for specialisations to support curriculum choice and futures focused learning on both sites.
Why is there now only $25 million when it was publicly stated that there was $45 million available?
To build one school on one site it was estimated that it would cost $45 million. Under the new school model of one school, two sites, predicted building costs are $25 million.
Is the Department of Education introducing the one school, two site models to save money?
The new school will combine the staffing and funding model that is currently allocated to the existing high schools. The department will not save money, instead there will be opportunities for more effective use of resourcing, wider choice of curriculum offerings for students and the ability to improve specialist facilities to support student learning opportunities within the new school.
Transition
What is the Griffith Secondary Education Advisory Council (GSEAC)?
The department will establish the Griffith Secondary Education Advisory Council (GSEAC) to assist in the transition to one school, two sites. This is an advisory body that will be chaired by a Department of Education senior officer and include the current school principals, community leaders and business representatives.
The GSEAC will provide opportunities for staff and community to contribute to the design and implementation of the new educational model through stakeholder engagement working groups covering the areas of leadership and governance, staffing, student and staff wellbeing, curriculum and organisation, and assets and building program. Once formed, the GSEAC members will nominate stakeholders to participate in the working groups.
Regular working group updates will be published on the website. This will contribute to the shaping of the operational model at a local level, build understanding and enable staff and community to have a greater connection with the transition process to the new operational model.
What is the proposed transition timeline until full implementation of the new school?
On 16 June 2017, there will be a community information session held for stakeholders representing a cross section of the Griffith community, including community and cultural groups, businesses, TAFE and university, primary and secondary schools. Details of the GSEAC will be announced at this time.
From June through to September 2017 the working groups will participate in meetings to shape and inform the development of the new school. A final feedback information session will be held during Week 1 Term 4 for the working groups to present their findings.
From Term 4, 2017 the new principal of the one school, two sites will commence. The information gathered from the stakeholder engagement working groups and the GSEAC recommendations will be used to inform the transition to full operation in 2019.
We are students enrolled at Wade and Griffith High School and will complete our secondary studies in 2019. What school name will be on my Higher School Certificate?
From 2019 onwards, students will have the name of the new school on all certification that they receive, including the Higher School Certificate.
I will be a Year 12 student in 2019, the first year of full operation of the new school. Will I have to travel to the other site and will I have the same teachers that I had in my preliminary year?
Your Higher School Certificate pattern of study commenced in 2018 will continue in 2019. There will be minimal changes for the Year 12 2019 students at each site. You will however, have increased opportunities to study extension courses and have more structured support to decide your post school options.
When will students be expected to have the new uniform?
There will be a staged transition for the change of school uniform. The school will consult with the Parents and Citizens’ committees at both sites to support families during this process.
Pathways - Tertiary and Employment
Will students still have access to “link” day at TAFE?
Clearly articulated pathways to employment and post school study are a key feature of the new school. Students’ access to TAFE and vocational education will be supported and enhanced.
Impact on Staff
As an executive member, will I be supervising a larger faculty with staff at both sites?
There will be no loss of executive positions with the implementation of the two site school. During the transition period the school executive teams, of which you are a member, will work collaboratively to design the enhanced leadership model. The enhanced leadership roles will support curriculum innovation, provide instructional leadership and support student learning and improved teacher practice.
Will the principal have a presence at both sites?
The new principal will have a presence and an office at both sites. Protocols will be established to ensure that the principal is accessible to students, staff and community members at both sites.
I regularly teach a Year 12 extension class. When the two sites become one school, will I still be able to teach extension subjects?
The school will offer a common timetable across both sites. It is expected that this will provide greater student choice and increase the number of extension and enrichment courses studied. It is expected that opportunities to teach Stage 6 extension classes will be maintained or enhanced.