Bonnyrigg High School

Principal Mr Peter Spies International Student Coordinator Ms Amber Flohm

Address

Elizabeth Drive Bonnyrigg NSW 2177

Website Address

bonnyrigg- h, school@detnsw,edu,au

School Motto I Shall Strive for the Best Established 1961

School PopUlation

Total number of students: 757 Average junior student class size: 24 Average senior student class size: 21 Students from non-English speaking background: 85%

General School Introduction

Bonnyrigg High School is a multicultural, comprehensive, coeducational high school set on extensive grounds in the Fairfield district. The school mission is to create an intellectually challenging and supportive learning environment which realises the individual capacity and self­worth of all.

The general community sees the school as a high-quality and reputable place of learning, which is continually striving to promote excellence in achievement amongst its students. Always providing a high level of educational outcomes and opportunities for all students, the school endeavours to prepare students for future careers and lifelong learning.

The school has strong literacy and numeracy programs and offers special programs for gifted and talented students, students from language backgrounds other than English, and students with learning difficulties. Our student welfare and leadership programs are central to our school's success.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs

· Specialist ESL teachers support students' studies in a variety of curriculum areas across all years of schooling. Junior and senior ESL programs are taught with a maximum class size of 15.

Languages Taught

· German, Indonesian, Spanish, and Vietnamese

· Other languages not taught at the school are also studied at the local Saturday School of Community Languages and/or the Open High School, for students sitting both the

School Certificate and Higher School Certificate exams

Special Programs

· Merit system for academic, sporting, and community achievements

· Debating and public speaking competitions

· Chess, book, and history enrichment clubs

· Work experience and work ready programs

· Drama, dance, and musical productions

· Australia-wide mathematics, science, geography, and economics competitions

Student Support Services and Programs

· Student Representative Council

· Student newsletter

· Peer support programs

· Full-time careers advisor

· International student coordinator

· Student welfare year advisor/s

· Learning support coordinator

· Welfare coordinator

· Vietnamese interpreter/translator

Special Facilities

· Assembly hall

· Gymnasium

· Four technology and applied studies

units

· Many sporting fields

· Basketball and netball courts

· Three computer laboratories

· Five science laboratories

· Four visual arts rooms

· Two music rooms

· Kiln for ceramics

· Photography art room

· Resource library with two technology

learning centres

HSC Results and Year 12 UniversitylTAFE Placements

In 2003:

· Nine students were listed in the NSW HSC Honour Roll.

· 80% of students continued studies at university or TAFE.

· Student work chosen for the prestigious Art Express of NSW.

Features of Local Area

· Bonnyrigg High School is situated about 45 minutes from Sydney's CBD.

· Liverpool city is located 5 minutes from the school and has local libraries, retail, entertainment, rail and bus, sporting, and aquatic facilities.

Student Testimonial

Three years at Bonnyrigg High School has helped me to improve my English skills enormously It's not only knowledge that I have gained but also the opportunity to have experienced the lifestyle and the people from different countries and cultures. The teachers at this school are very friendly and supportive.

Apinya Tandamarangsak, Year 11, 2004, Thailand

Bonnyrigg High School is a lovely school which gives international students much help and support. I have made many new friends at this school and I am involved in many activities such as self-defence and chess competitions as well as continuing with my senior studies.

Minh Baa Huynh, Year 12, 2004, VN

Merrylands High School

Principal Ms Lila Mularczyk International Student Coordinator Mr Jason Ribbans

Address

Bristol Street Merrylands NSW 2160

Website Address

School Motto Verite Sans Peur - Truth Without Fear

Established 1 959

School Population

Total number of students: 840 Average junior student class size: 25 Average senior student class size: 18 Students from non-English speaking background: 60%

General School Introduction

Merrylands High School is a coeducational high school delivering over 100 traditional and innovative courses and subjects. The school believes in empowering its students to pursue their goals. Self-direction and motivation are encouraged and supported in a challenging, caring, and supportive environment.

Students from a wide variety of backgrounds choose to study at Merrylands High School, valuing the programs offered and the community spirit of the school.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs

· Merrylands High School provides integrated ESL support across all years. Specific ESL classes are provided in Years 7,10,11, and 12.

Languages Taught

· French, Modern Greek, and Italian

· Students are also offered the opportunity to study other languages by correspondence.

· The KAPA HAKA cultural and language program is offered. All community languages are fostered through our cultural communication groups.

Special Programs

· Sports

· The arts (visual arts, drama, and music)

· Performances, dance, debating, public speaking, and exhibitions

· Life skills, careers, study skills, and university bridging courses

· Multicultural and international peace programs

· Student Representative Council and student leadership

· Gifted, talented, and enrichment programs

· Web design and technology

· Overseas study trips

Student Support Services and Programs

· A team of year advisors

· Student welfare coordinator and school counsellors

· Peer tutoring, peer mentoring, and peer

mediation

· Young mothers' program

· Student-centred cultural groups

· Intervention and learning support teams

· Conflict resolution

· extension programs

Special Facilities

· Four computer laboratories

· Mobile computer classrooms

· Industry-level hospitality kitchens

· Fully-equipped woodwork and metal

workshops

· Photography darkroom

· Two music studios

· Six science laboratories

· Four visual arts studios

· School hall for athletic and theatrical performances

· Drama studio

· Multipurpose library with conference

and computer facilities

HSC Results and Year 12 UniversitylTAFE Placements

In 2003:

· The school's HSC students gained places in each of the city universities as a result of exceptional UAI's - many in the top 10% of the state.

· Students are currently studying engineering, medicine, sciences, and the arts.

· The senior package provides for a flexible pattern of study in which students have the opportunity to consider part-time work, further study at

TAFE, or pre-university courses, whilst at school.

· Students undertaking preliminary university courses in 2003 received distinctions and high distinctions.

Features of Local Area

· The school is situated 40 minutes from Sydney's CBD in a rich and culturally diverse community.

· Merrylands is serviced by a well­established transport system with a network of bus routes connecting with the nearby railway stations of Merrylands and Guildford.

· A small shopping community exists close to the school, whilst a large shopping complex is within a short distance of the railway.

Other Information

· The school's comprehensive and valued parent participation is supported by our P&C, ASSPA, Afghan, Arabic, Pacific and Maori communication groups, theme days, information evenings, committees, and an open-door policy.

· The school's student leadership program is highly respected and acclaimed at a school-to-state level.

· Sporting achievements rival academic results including student representation at district, zone, CHS, and national level in trampoline skills, diving, basketball, baseball, lawn bowls, soccer, rugby union, and cricket.

Student Testimonial

When I started Merrylands High School, everyone was really friendly. The teachers are very kind and helpful. I love the fact that there are so many students from so many parts of the world. I have made some great friends and I feel at home here.

Shan Liu, Year 11, 2004, China

Macquarie Fields High

Principal Mrs Robyn Kidd International Student Coordinators Ms Patricia Paring and Mr M Tishler

Address

2 Harold Street Macquarie Fields NSW 2564

Website Address http://www.macfields-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

School MoUo Loyalty Sincerity Generosity Established 1981

School Population

Total number of students: 1033 Average senior student class size: 20 Students from non-English speaking background: 63%

General School Introduction

Macquarie Fields High School is both a selective and comprehensive high school. Situated in Sydney's south­west, it attracts students from the wider metropolitan area.

Students choose to study at Macquarie Fields High School because of its high standard of education, its harmonious multicultural community, and its reputation for producing responsible young adults.

The school provides a caring and supportive environment which cares for the special educational needs of individual students. The welfare system encourages the development of self-discipline. The school has a collaboratively developed code-of-conduct and students are required to wear a school uniform.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs

· ESL support is provided by a team of three experienced specialist teachers.

· Special ESL programs including ESL for the HSC and fundamentals of English are taught throughout the school at all levels.

Languages Taught

• German and Japanese

Special Programs

· Gifted and talented education programs

· Vocational Education and Training modules

· Differentiated programs of learning

· Goal-setting and study-skills program

· National gifted and talented

enrichment programs for mathematics

· Chess

· Science Olympiad

· Music, dance, and choir

Student Support Services and Programs

· Two deputy principals (welfare and

curriculum)

· Two head teachers

· Welfare and a learning support team

· Year advisors

· Careers advisor

· Gifted and talented student

coordinator

· Peer support

· Senior mentoring team

· School counsellor

Special Facilities

· Independent learning centre

· Senior study area and senior outdoor recreational facility

· Well-equipped science laboratories

· Four computer laboratories with Internet access

· Well-equipped library with Internet access

HSC Results and Year 12 UniversityITAFE Placements

· Outstanding results in science, especially in chemistry and biology.

· Students performed well in English courses, especially in advanced English and ESL.

· Exceptional individual results in mathematics.

· 80% of students gained entry to

university and tertiary courses.

Features of Local Area

• The school is close to public transport.

Other Information

· Students have achieved excellent results in School Certificate with special support given to overseas students commencing studies in Year 10.

Student Testimonial

I have enjoyed studying at Macquarie Fields High School. I have mixed with students from many different cultures and have extended my experience of the world. The teachers are very helpful and give encouragement. They have helped me to fit in both socially and academically. I have received good advice to help me plan for future studies.

Hong Yu Baa, Year 12, 20

Academic Subjects

The student's welfare and academic progress is our greatest concern, so we ensure our schools provide a positive learning experience. Classroom activities in junior and senior secondary classes focus on the continuing development of technology skills across all subjects. Teachers integrate computers, e-Iearning, broadband Internet access, and multimedia materials into interesting learning activities.

Years 7 to 10 (Junior Secondary)

In Years 7 to 10, English, mathematics, science, history, and geography are compulsory. Students take additional subjects such as:

· design and technology

· information technology

· visual arts

· music

· languages other than English

· sport and physical education.

Higher School Certificate (HSC)

The HSC is a two-year program in Years 11 and 12 (Senior Secondary). Most subjects are two units of study. Students must study a minimum of 12 units for the Year 11 preliminary course, and at least 10 units for the Year 12 HSC. Students must successfully complete the Year 11 preliminary course (terms 1, 2, and 3) in

the subjects they intend to study for the HSC.

The HSC mark is made up of a school­based assessment mark, and a state­wide examination mark. To enable school assessments from different schools to be compared, assessment marks submitted by schools are moderated using the raw examination marks. The correspondences are then used to align these moderated school assessments to the standards for different courses. These standards are described using a performance scale. For 2 unit courses there are six bands, with band six being the highest, and for extension courses there are four bands.

Admission to most tertiary courses is based on performance in the HSC with applicants ranked on the basis of their Universities Admission Index (UAI). The UAI is a rank between 0.00 and 100 which provides a measure of overall academic achievement in the NSW HSC and is calculated by tertiary institutions to assist them to rank applicants for tertiary courses.

Higher School Certificate (HSC) Subjects

English or English as a Second Language (ESL) is the only compulsory subject for the HSC.

Students may select from a variety of subjects including:

• mathematics with extension courses

· science - biology, chemistry, and physics

· information technology

· economics, geography, history, business studies, and legal studies

· 40 languages including French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese

· design and technology

· food technology

· creative arts - dance, drama, visual arts, and music

· personal development, health, and physical education (PDHPE).

NSW Government High Schools Offer

· small class sizes - maximum 25 students in senior classes

· international student coordinators to

assist with pastoral care

· careers advisors and counsellors

· English language support programs

· a well-designed curriculum catering for students with a wide range of abilities

· a variety of effective and proven teaching methods

· a safe, friendly, and multicultural environment.

NSW Government School

With more than 300 Government High Schools in Sydney and regional NSW, you can select the school which offers the range of academic subjects and special facilities which suits the student's learning needs.

This Directory contains 102 school profiles to help you with your choice of a boys' or girls' High School or a coeducational High School.

New South Wales Government High Schools provide high-quality education programs which are recognised worldwide. Excellence, innovation, and care for students is central to all learning. Our schools offer:

· a broad curriculum with a focus on academic excellence · strong discipline codes · supportive student welfare programs

a unique range of activities for each student to develop talents in the creative arts, sports, and technology

Our schools encourage a harmonious, multicultural environment. Teachers are university-trained and committed to developing students as effective learners. Students graduate with the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and can gain entry into universities or tertiary institutions in Australia and overseas.

Location The map on page 6 shows the location of the 102 schools profiled in this Directory. Most schools are easily accessible by train, bus, or ferry. The public transport system is safe, clean, and efficient. Buses connect with the suburban rail system to transport students to and from government schools.