15 Mar 2019
Plumpton High School has achieved an outstanding result in the 2018 HSC moving students to higher Bands, attained the Highest HSC result in the area and had 65 offers of university for 2019. This has been a result of a highly strategic approach to supporting students with their learning, wellbeing and self-concept. The key components of this approach are outlined below:
- Shifting school culture from a ‘welfare’ to ‘wellbeing’ disposition supported by high expectations and clear expectations for all.
- Consistent evidence based teaching and learning structure and framework across school that prioritises how students learn as well as content.
- Strong focus on higher order thinking and complex problem solving.
- Gifted &Talented program structure enabling students to follow a course of study from Year 5 to Year 12. E.g. computer science, dance, engineering, robotics, drama etc…
- A Wellbeing Framework embedded in the curriculum & timetable that includes Positive Psychology, Growth Mindset and Choice Theory, with all Executive and Wellbeing Team formally trained.
- Large senior curriculum diversity to ensure students can select courses they are successful in and enjoy. This Includes 9 VET courses, Content Endorsed Courses through to Extension 1 & 2 English, Extension 1 & 2 Maths, Physics, Chemistry etc…
- Improved quality of teachers through high quality evidence based Teacher Professional Learning mostly developed and delivered by the school
- Continued support to beginning teachers providing a Head Teacher Mentor who are experts in humanities, maths and science.
- Student choice drives timetable structure and course offering.
- A School Plan focused upon developing Intellectual capacity for staff and students, Student Wellbeing linked to development of positive relationships, improving self-concept, and building an ability to critically reflect.
- We created a Senior Study in 2015, staffed by a Humanities teacher, Maths/Science teacher, PDHPE teacher and an English as a Second Language teacher. The role is to support senior students with assessment – decoding, scaffolding in conjunction with classroom teachers, homework, and study. Three separate rooms (1 – open plan collaboration room, 2- quiet room individual study nooks, 3- computer room for assessments etc…) make up the study. A Head Teacher oversees the Senior Study.
- Plumpton implemented a Care and Control process/system that identifies students at risk of not completing their HSC and develops improvement plans. Parent contact forms a crucial part of the system.
- A Student Futures and Career Path Plans strategy where all Year 10 develop a Career Path Plan linked to Senior Curriculum choice to develop students’ capacity with targeted work experience and TAFE taster programs often leading to re-engagement and retention in school.
Tim Lloyd, Principal