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
Year 7 to 10 core classes are organised on an ability grouping/parallel class model.
In Year 7:
Students enrolled in WGHS who wish to be considered for the academic class for Core subjects (comprising English, History, Mathematics, Music, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education and Science) are invited to submit an application and undertake external numeracy and literacy testing. Other Core classes in Year 7 are organised on a parallel model of mixed ability.
All Visual Arts and TAS classes are arranged on a parallel model of mixed ability.
In Year 8:
One ability-grouped English class and one English as an Additional Language or Dialect class will be determined based on a combination of academic merit and teacher professional judgement. Other English classes are organised on a parallel model of mixed ability.
Mathematics classes are ability-grouped, determined based on a combination of academic merit and teacher professional judgement.
One ability-grouped Core class (comprising Geography, Music, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education and Science) is determined based on a combination of academic merit and teacher professional judgement. Other Core classes are organised on a parallel model of mixed ability.
Language classes are determined based on student selection and teacher availability.
All Visual Arts and TAS classes are arranged on a parallel model of mixed ability.
In Years 9 and 10:
One ability-grouped English class and one English as an Additional Language or Dialect class will be determined based on a combination of academic merit and teacher professional judgement. Other English classes are organised on a parallel model of mixed ability.
Mathematics classes are ability-grouped, determined based on a combination of academic merit and teacher professional judgement.
One ability-grouped Core class (comprising Geography, History, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education and Science) is determined based on a combination of academic merit and teacher professional judgement. Other Core classes are organised on a parallel model of mixed ability.
Elective classes are organised on a parallel model of mixed ability.
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.