All NSW public school students have a right to an inclusive learning environment and to feel happy and safe at school.
Student Handbook
Aboriginal student support
We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students to help them be successful learners.
We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and carers, as well as community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.
The Aboriginal Education Policy confirms the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Multicultural education
Our school welcomes students, families and community members from all cultural backgrounds. We appreciate difference and diversity and aim to provide a culturally inclusive and responsive environment that benefits all students.
Our teaching and learning programs develop intercultural understanding, promote positive relationships and enable all students to participate as active Australian and global citizens. Our school fosters student wellbeing and community harmony by implementing anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies that encourage engagement by parents and carers from all backgrounds.
The Multicultural Education Policy outlines the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to providing opportunities that enable all students to achieve equitable education and social outcomes and participate successfully in our culturally diverse society.
The Anti-Racism Policy confirms the department’s commitment to rejecting all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools and eliminating expressions of racism in its learning and working environments.
For more information refer to:
Supporting English language learners
Learning English is essential for success at school and effective participation in Australian society. We can provide specialist support to help students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).
For more information refer to: EAL/D education.
Supporting refugee students
Schools offer safety, support and security to help refugee students adjust to life in Australia and participate successfully in education. Targeted support strategies are provided to assist refugee students in NSW public schools.
For more information refer to: Supporting refugee students.
Learning support
The school’s learning and support team plays a key role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of students with additional learning and support needs, including disability.
The team:
- supports teachers in identifying and responding to the additional learning needs of students
- facilitates and coordinates a whole-school approach to improving the learning outcomes of every student
- coordinates planning processes and resourcing for students with additional learning and support needs
- designs and implements the support required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
- develops collaborative partnerships with the school, parents and carers, as well as other professionals and the wider school community.
For more information on programs and services to help students with additional learning and support needs visit Disability, learning and support.
Anti-bullying
Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in NSW schools.
The NSW anti-bullying website brings together information and resources for teachers, students, parents and carers. It helps to identify, prevent and respond effectively to student bullying, including online bullying. It provides information about online safety and what you can do if your child has been bullied, witnessed bullying or been involved in bullying.
For more information on anti-bullying strategies for NSW public schools refer to the department’s Bullying of Students – Prevention and Response Policy.
For information on racial bullying and anti-racism education for NSW public schools refer to:
Anti-bullying Plan
Willoughby Girls High School has developed an Anti-Bullying Plan to ensure all members of our school community experiences learning in a positive environment.
For further information, visit the Department's Anti-Bullying website.
Student leadership
Student leadership helps young people find their voices, participate in decision-making, and understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. It helps students have a real impact on their learning and school environment and prepares them to participate meaningfully in their community.
Students can be leaders in the classroom, through their actions in the playground, through their support for others, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or local community events or projects.
For more information about opportunities in NSW public schools visit Student voice and leadership.
Learning and supporting programs
The school has a learning and support team which assists with the identification, collection and analysis of data and development of learning plans for students with additional learning needs. There is also a learning and support teacher who works with teachers of students requiring additional assistance, particularly in Years 7 and 8. Students are assessed on their entry into Year 7 and/or identified by teachers or parents. Those with learning needs are assisted within their classes through their personalised learning plans.
Literacy program
The literacy program involves all teachers in the school incorporating literacy strategies, for effective, reading, writing, speaking and representing into their programs.
A wide reading program is completed by all Year 7 to 10 students through English classes. The aim of the program is to encourage reading for pleasure, build a reading habit and to introduce students to more challenging fiction. Reading competency is paramount to their successful academic achievement in all subjects through to the HSC (Higher School Certificate) and beyond. Reading for pleasure is the most effective way of improving reading competency.
Contact the English head teacher or principal for information about the literacy program.
Peer support
The peer support program is based on the principle that at every level and in every age group in society, people absorb information and values from each other. Peer support and positive peer influence are introduced into the school community by training Year 9 students during Term 4 to act as group leaders in Year 10 to incoming Year 7 students.
The peer support program helps children live with more direction. It gives Year 10 students opportunities for self development and provides Year 7 students with a supportive environment in which to develop their own individuality. The Wellbeing head teacher and peer support coordinator are the contacts for this program.
Peer tutoring
A peer tutor reading program has been conducted for several years. A small group of Year 11 students are trained to work with Year 7 students, who have additional learning needs, during the daily home room period, assisting with the understanding of an authentic text. The program is coordinated by the learning and support teacher.
The program provides an opportunity for the senior students to develop a supportive relationship with a younger student. The Year 7 students also benefit from the program through gains in reading ability particularly in comprehension and vocabulary, because their learning is supported by a senior member of the school community.
The homework club is a program that is offered three afternoons per week in the library. A group of Years 9 to 10 peer tutors assist the select group of 30 students (Years 7 to 8) with homework tasks, reading, time management and organisation. A teacher is also present during these sessions for assistance and supervision. This program provides an opportunity for the Years 9 to 10 students to develop leadership skills, support their Duke of Edinburgh program and to participate in their school community. The program also provides support for the younger students in their transition into secondary school.
Study skills day
An intensive study skills day for Year 12 students takes place early in Term 1 in preparation for the HSC. Sessions include time management, essay writing and effective oral presentation. The day also features a question and answer panel discussion with students from the previous year’s HSC group.