3. SCHOOL VISIT: Swan Hill

Swan Hill College 9/10 review visit
18/3/2011

Kelleigh Lamb spoke with Inta Blake and Andrew Satori

• Schools initial focus is to skill up teachers and build on relationships with students.
• Elevator??? – all students complete one on every teacher. (I think it’s an online school survey)
• Home Groups 5 mins face to face at the commencement of each day. Years 7, 8 & 9 together and then years 10, 11 and 12. Vertical system. 2 teachers = 30 kids
• School will run a 7 period day prior to larger events that need organising eg. Assemblies, swimming sports sign ups.
• 9-12 have 2x96 minute periods and 1 x 48 minute period. They found 48 mins was not enough. E5 – not enough time to reflect in class. School is still looking at changing the whole school to a 5 period day.
• Looked at single periods and the change over into next class...the time wasted was 2 weeks face to face teaching over the course of the year. Valuable VCE class time.
• PLT – team of 3 (same department) 1 x weekly meetings
• Year 9 students attend the Alpine school
• Leadership training – year 9 peer skills
• Team Journo – year 9 students write in the Local newspaper weekly.
• Year 8/9 Saw program – 12 students that are struggling (typically boys) Chaplin wellbeing.
• Attendance prizes – sports equipment, ipod’s and final end of year Ipad.
• 7 – 12 Clontarf – Gerrard Neeson footy coach W.A., sport based Koori program. 2 people have full time employment and are located within the school.
• Year 10’s pre-cal program
• VCE serious notice of concern is sent home in year 10 at the first sign of not completing work.
• Parent involvement is growing from year 10.
• 70% of students are doing a v.e.t subject in year 10
• VCAL – 26 year 11 students
• Student opinion survey – A.P or Prin will explain the survey and why it is necessary...explain the key terms to the students.
• Awards – parents are notified
• Coaching – Tania Merrit. 3 periods per week, 1 coachee per week!
• Staff have made a code of conduct themselves. Staff expectations of a good learning environment.
• Mid tool ‘On demand tests’ – students complete an online survey and place their own results on the system 3 x per year. Students get a plot on a graph to access their own progress. This allows students to set their own goals and take ownership of their learning. 7, 8 and 9’s English and Maths. Students actually have asked to re-sit the test to improve their own data. They are able to track their own progress over the 3 years.
• School runs a ‘Showcase’ evening on the last week of each term. A chance for parents and students to showcase their work. There is an information evening held 3 nights per year. Seperate Junior and Senior nights. Parent forums 1 x each term