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Willoughby Girls High School

Willoughby Girls High School

A Leader in Girls Education

Telephone02 9958 4141

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

Organisation

At Willoughby Girls High School many procedures and practices are put in place to ensure smooth running of the school and the best learning opportunities for students.

Class organisation

Years 7 to 10 core classes are organised on an extension/parallel class model.

In Year 7, students who wish to be considered for the extension class are assessed on a combination of literacy, numeracy and problem solving tests. Other classes in Year 7 are organised on a parallel model of mixed ability.

In Years 8 to 10, English, mathematics, science, history and geography classes are organised separately, allowing the most able students to be placed in the extension classes for any or all of these subjects. Other classes in Years 8 to 10 are organised on a parallel model of mixed ability. 

Students earn their place in the extension classes from year to year based on their overall achievements in assessment and learning habits. There are no lower ability classes.

This model allows for gifted and talented students to be academically extended through their placement with students of similar capacities. Differentiated programming and teaching strategies address the varied learning needs of all students.

Extension stream

Entry into the Year 7 extension class is determined by testing and students'record of learning habits in primary school.

Students undertake several tests during the first three days of Year 7, providing an opportunity for students to be placed in the extension class. Students earn their place in extension classes from year to year.

Computer access

Willoughby Girls High School is a bring your own learning device (BYOLD) school. All students, therefore, should come to school every day equipped with a fully charged learning device for all of their lessons. Parents are asked to ensure their daughters have an approved learning device and that they bring it to school every day for classes. In addition, Willoughby Girls High School has over 400 computers, including 30 tablets for use in the library, dedicated for student use. Each computer has access to online resources and multimedia encyclopaedias. The school has two computer laboratories, banks of computers in the library, science, photography/digital media lab and music areas. The school uses MS Office as the main software package. Students are able to use the computers in the library at recess and lunchtimes and in the computer rooms at nominated lunchtimes. All students receive an individual account on the network that allows them access to a secure location to store their files.

At the beginning of each year every student’s account will be accredited with 50 credit points for printing; the equivalent of five dollars worth of printing. This amount is reflected in every student’s school contribution. Where the school contribution has not been paid, a five dollar charge applies for those students wishing a fifty page credit to print within the school. Additional credit may be added by the student to their student ID card in the library. Unused funds from previous years will not accumulate.

Students are able to look up their balance at any workstation within the school, giving students the ability to keep up to date and ensure their account is always in credit. It is the students’ responsibility to maintain a creditable balance to ensure they are able to print when needed for classroom activities, especially assessment tasks.

Evacuation and lockdown procedure for students

On hearing the evacuation siren sound continuously for 30 seconds:

  • all staff will evacuate classes to the designated area by the most direct route, and
  • students will assemble as instructed and home room teachers will mark rolls.

On hearing the school bell ring continuously for one minute, lockdown procedure will be initiated:

  • all outside activities will cease immediately and students report to the nearest classroom; and
  • students will remain in classrooms with their teachers until the situation has been declared safe and the school bell rings as normal.

Lockers

Lockers are allocated to students who apply at the beginning of the school year. Lockers must be secured with the padlock provided by the school. No money or valuables should be left in lockers. Locker times are 8:50am, end of home room period, end of period 4 and 3:20pm. The hire of a locker costs $30 for the period a student is at Willoughby Girls High School. The school reserves the right to open individual lockers when it is deemed necessary by the principal.