Bass High School

Principal Mr Alex Djukic International Student Coordinator Mr Wayne Gleeson

Address

Arundle Road Bass Hill NSW 2197

Email Address

bass-h .school@det.nsw.edu.au

School Motto Tibi Confidas Established 1 959

School Population

Total number of students: 700 Average class size: 20

Students from non-English speaking background: 64%

General School Introduction

Bass High School is a Year 7 to 12 comprehensive, coeducational high school catering for the culturally diverse communities of Bass Hill, Georges Hall, Villawood, and Yagoona. Our purpose is to provide students with the best possible educational opportunities academically, socially, culturally, and physically. We believe each student is entitled to a challenging education supported by enthusiastic teachers and current technologies.

We emphasise strong discipline, a high standard of uniform, and traditional values with student safety and cultural harmony a priority. We proudly celebrate our multicultural heritage and are gaining a strong reputation in the community for academic and sporting success.

Our broad curriculum includes an emphasis on core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, history, geography and personal development/ physical education as well as optional courses in agriculture, computing, dance, drama, photography, and information technology. A student, self-directed learning centre is also available as part of a modern library. In Years 7 to 8, students familiarise themselves in all subject areas allowing them to make informed decisions in choosing their subjects for Years 9 and 10. Year 11 and 12 courses prepare students for university, TAFE, and further vocational options in life.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs

· ESL programs are taught across all years, with ESL offered as a HSC course.

Languages Taught

· French and Saturday School of Community Languages offering a range of languages

Special Programs

· Bass achievers program

· ROSE (recognition of student excellence) awards

· Celebration assemblies

· Study skills seminar programs in all

years

· Mock trial

· Tournament of Mind

· Debating and public speaking

· Australia and state-wide academic and

sporting competitions

· Multicultural Day

· Student Representative Council

· Higher School Certificate tutoring

program

Student Support Service and Programs

· Student advisors in each year

· School counsellors

· Supervision of girls

· Careers counsellor

· Gifted and talented student

counsellors

· Merit award scheme

· Outstanding report awards

Special Facilities

· Independent learning centre

· Modern library with extensive computing and Internet facilities

· Performing arts - dance, drama, and

music rooms

· Modern computer laboratories

· Computer access to classrooms

· Extensive sporting fields and facilities

HSC Results and Year 12 UniversitylTAFE Placements

· Students achieved excellent resLllts in all curriculum areas.

· The majority of students went on to further study at university or TAFE.

Features of Local Area

· Bass High School is located approximately 15kms west of Sydney close to the cities of Bankstown, Liverpool, and Fairfield.

Student Testimonial

Bass High teachers are really good. They are passionate and willing to help you as much as they can. Therefore, I found it is quite easy for me to join in this new environment and get the results that I expected.

Tran Hoang Tung, Year 11, 2004, Vietnam

My decision to study in another country was a bit hard because I have to go far away from my parents. At Bass High School, I had a lot of amazing friends and teachers who were willing to help me as much as I needed. They also made me feel at home in Australia and if someone gave me another choice, I would choose Bass High again because it was perfect for me.

Trung (Jason) La, Year 10, 2004, Vietnam

Bankstown Senior College

School Population

Total number of students: 400 Average class size: 17

Students from non-English speaking background: 91 % from 45 different

General School Introduction

Bankstown Senior College is a non­uniform, coeducational, senior secondary High School for students in Years 10, 11, and 12 who want to achieve excellence in an adult learning environment. The school aims to provide a quality education for a diverse range of students in a supportive environment where students are treated as individuals and developed as independent learners, It also has, on site, an intensive English centre for newly arrived students as well as English classes for mature-age students,

The college provides a broad range of courses to meet the individual educational and creative needs of students from a non-English speaking background in the new millennium. Experienced, trained staff facilitate the achievement of academic excellence within the college, providing the tools for survival in tertiary studies, the workforce, and the community at large.

When students graduate from the college, it is anticipated that they are equipped with formal accreditations as well as enhanced skills in literacy, numeracy, and technology, which allow them to think independently and critically.

In 2003, the college was awarded a NSW Director-General of Education School Achievement Award for excellence in the provision of vocational education.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs

· The college has many ESL staff available to assist staff and students in their teaching and learning across the key learning areas. It also has one of the largest numbers of students for the HSC ESL course in the state.

Languages Taught

• Mandarin, Arabic, and Modern Greek

Special Programs

· The college offers a structured preparation program for students who enrol mid-year. This is unique to this college and allows students to develop the necessary skills to succeed in their selected courses at a later date

Student Support Services and Programs

· Mentor program

· Preparation for the Higher School

Certificate workshops

· After-school coaching for the HSC

· Work education program

· Learning centre

· Careers reference centre

· Clinic

· International students mentor

· Support teacher learning difficulties

· Full-time head teacher welfare and welfare team

· Counsellor

· Enrolment officer for course

counselling

· Supervisor of girls

· Sports director

· Student union

· Community liaison officer

Special Facilities

· Computer assisted learning centre

· Five computer laboratories and library all with Internet access

· Science laboratories with preparation rooms and computer facilities

· Exceptional multimedia and library facilities

· Tiered learning and performance space

· Art rooms and photography studio

with a darkroom

· Music rehearsal room

· Contemporary cafeteria

· Immaculate industrial kitchen

· Student car park

· Hall and gymnasium

HSC Results and Year 12 UniversitylTAFE Placements

· A large number of students continue with tertiary studies in a broad range of subjects.

· In 2003, the best UAI was 96.5.

· Students achieved strong academic results in mathematics, ESL, and languages.

Features of Local Area

· The college boasts beautiful garden settings in a natural environment.

· There is a regular private and government bus service to the local train station as well as buses to surrounding suburbs.

· Bankstown is located 25kms from the Sydney CBD, which is approximately 30 minutes by train.

· It has a large suburban shopping centre which is an easy 20 minute walk from the college.

GPanley Vale High School

School Population

Total number of students: 820 Average junior student class size: 22 Average senior student class size 16 Students from

General School Introduction

Can ley Vale High School is a

comprehensive, coeducational High

School located in the south-west of Sydney. The school is set in spacious and pleasant grounds with extensive playing areas that are bordered by a park and watercourse. Canley Vale High attracts many students from outside the local area and overseas, due to its harmonious, multicultural environment and strong welfare programs. The school is close to major transport links making it accessible by bus, train, and car. Can ley Vale High School has close ties with its multicultural community and has a reputation for high academic achievements and expectations of student excellence.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs

· Special ESL programs are taught throughout the school, at all levels, by experienced and caring staff.

Languages Taught

· French, Italian, Vietnamese, and

Chinese

Special Programs

· Gifted and talented program

· Band

· Choir

· Interschool debating

· Multicultural Day

· Year 6 into Year 7 orientation program

· Transition program

· Mathematics, science, geography, English, and computer competitions

· Camps to the Snowy Mountains and Tea Gardens

· HSLO/anti-harassment officer

Student Support Services

· Head teacher welfare

· Year advisors

· Peer support

· Student Representative Council

· Peer support program

· Careers advisor

· Counsellor

· Study skills camp

· International student program

Special Facilities

· Sports facilities - multi basketball courts and table tennis complex

· Well-equipped library with Internet access

· Multipurpose hall

· Six networked computer laboratories

with Internet access

· Six modern science laboratories

· After school study centre

· Tree-lined grounds

· Art room, ceramics, photography

studio, and darkroom

· Drama room

· Music rehearsal room

· Video graphics room

HSC Results and Year 12 UniversitylTAFE Placements

· HSC results in 2003 were excellent with 11 students attaining a UAI of 90 or more and 46 students receiving first round university offers. Can ley Vale High offered 29 courses of study with five VET courses delivered on site and five VET courses delivered at TAFE.

· HSC results at Canley Vale High

in 2002 were outstanding with 23 students attaining a University Admissions Index (UAI) of 90 or more. Five students scored over 99 and 70

students received first round university offers. The school achieved 77 Order of Merit listings.

· A Canley Vale High student came first in the state in business studies for 2002.

Features of Local Area

· The school is close to Can ley Vale and Carramar railway stations and is only 30 minutes travel by train, south-west of the centre of Sydney.

· It is also close to shops and parks.

Other Information

· The schools has won the Department of Education and Training Web Award three years in a row, as well as the Consumer Affairs Website Award and the Project Mathematics State Level Award.

Student Testimonial

I came to Can ley Vale High because I heard about their excellent academic results and its multicultural background. The teachers and students have been very kind, friendly, and helpful in explaining things to me. The quality of education is very important to me and it helps mixing with local students to practise my English.

Ying Ying Wen, Year 11, 2003, China

Cabramatta High School

School Population

Total number of students: 997

Average class size: 25 (less for ESL classes) Students from non-English speaking background: 97%

General School Introduction

Cabramatta High School is a

comprehensive, coeducational High

School set within a multicultural community. It attracts many students from outside the local area because of its safe environment, harmonious, multicultural community and excellent academic results. The school is known for its innovative programs and student support networks. This has been acknowledged in a Director-General of Education School Achievement Award for programs which support student learning. The school has experienced, dedicated staff who are sensitive to the individual needs of students. A number of teachers are on School Certificate and HSC examination committees. Often staff members are called on to in-service others on best practice. The purpose of the school is to provide each student with quality education, develop the talents and interests of all students, and help them to participate as responsible members of society.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs

· Cabramatta High School has an intensive English centre on site.

· Within the high school, ESL support is given through parallel classes and team teaching across all years.

· Targeted classes also provide support for ESL students across subjects.

· Group tutorials are provided free of charge for international students, and an after-school homework centre is also available at no additional cost.

Languages Taught

· Mandarin (Chinese), Vietnamese, Khmer (Cambodian), Serbian, French, and Beginner Japanese

· These languages are all taught within school hours up to Year 12

Special Programs

· Extensive leadership and participation

programs

· Gifted and talented students

· Choir and band

· Debating and public speaking

· Interschool sporting competitions

· TAFE accredited peer tutoring program

· Cooperation Day

Student Support Services and Programs

· Welfare management at each level by

year advisors and head teachers

· Learning support team

· Literacy support team

· School counsellor

· Careers advisor

· Student Representative Council

· Mentoring program

· Peer support

· Peer mediation

· Curriculum advisor

· International student coordinator

· A strong discipline policy

Special Facilities

· Hall and lecture theatre

· Six computer laboratories with Internet access, a well-equipped library with Internet access, tennis courts, fitness laboratory, peace garden, and a school bus

HSC Results and Year 12 UniversitylrAFE Placements

· Students have achieved outstanding results in the Higher School Certificate.

· In 2003, 23 students were offered places in university courses. These included economics-law, medical science, traditional Chinese medicine,

engineering, and communications. One student gained the highest band (i.e. band six) in the English/ESL course.

· Generally, 10% of students achieve a UAI of over 90.

Features of Local Area

· Cabramatta is located in south­western Sydney.

· The school is within walking distance of both major rail and bus networks.

· A diverse multicultural shopping area is near the school.

Other Information

· In 2004, Cabramatta High School students gained outstanding results at the National Chinese Eisteddfod. One student gained first place in

the 13 to 15 year old division; and another student second place in the 16 to 19 year old division. In the team event, the school was placed second nationally.

· In 2003, the school was runner-up in the Multicultural Marketing Awards.

· The school's strong values are recognised as significant at a national level.

· The peace garden has received national acclaim through Australian media.

Student Testimonial

Cabramatta High School has good teachers who are very helpful. I have made close friends while being here. Everyone is friendly and gets on well together.

Pornphan Phalakornkitti, Year 11, 2004, Thailand