Stratford High School

Prospectus 2016

Honest Excel Aroha Respect Tolerant

Vision Expect | Engage | Excel

Values

Honest/Kôrero-pono be truthful with yourself and others

Excel/Rawe

give everything your best

Aroha/Love

show care, compassion and consideration

Responsible/Mahi-tika

do the right thing

Tolerant/Manawanui

be patient, be understanding

Our Mission Statement Provide a safe, effective and inclusive learning environment that promotes personal growth and values that foster concern and respect for the entire school community.

Welcome to Stratford High School A message from the principal

Kia ora tatou katoa.

To all people in and beyond our school community, our warmest welcome to Stratford High School.

It is our pleasure to offer you this prospectus as an introduction to our school. Please take the time to read it

through so we can share with you the reasons we have such pride in our school.

Stratford High School occupies a prominent position in the Stratford community, providing a quality co-

educational secondary education to the young people of Stratford and surrounding districts since 1897. It is our

hope that you choose to join our learning community and together we can move further into the 21st Century.

Making the decision on a new school is a major consideration for both students and parents/caregivers. We

provide diverse opportunities for our students to grow socially and intellectually. We believe in developing the

whole person with an emphasis on encouraging positive behaviour to assist the best learning experiences and

building a strong network of healthy relationships. Stratford High School is an exciting, energetic school that

provides multiple academic, cultural and sporting opportunities.

Our curriculum offers a broad base to Year 9 and Year 10 students allowing them to explore a guided discovery

of and development in subjects they enjoy and in which they show potential. Senior students are able to choose

from a wide variety of subjects for study towards national qualifications. We also offer a number of vocational

courses of study. We believe it is important for students to participate in the sporting, arts, cultural and

leadership opportunities offered. In all areas we are committed to providing a friendly, safe environment in

order for our students to realize their dreams, embrace their possibilities, discover themselves and ultimately

take their place in a future that must increasingly be regarded in global terms.

Experience backs our earnest belief that all people thrive in a supportive learning environment. Developing

warm relationships with staff and knowing clear boundaries exist regarding behaviour will ensure positive

outcomes. Our pastoral care system and guidance network ensures that students are well supported during

their time at school.

Please call us if you require further information. Feel free to come and visit our school. Our door is always open

to parents/caregivers. Arranging an interview time through the office will ensure you our best attention.

We look forward to the relationships formed between your family and Stratford High School.

Nga mihi nui Philip H Keenan — Principal (MEdAdmin, DipEd, BSc, DipTch)

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Curriculum Year 9 & 10

The major aims are to give students a sound grounding in the core subjects and the opportunity to explore a wide range of other subjects.

Year 9 All year 9 students study English, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education and a language (Te Reo Máori or French) according to the National Curriculum requirements. They also study, throughout the year, the following subjects two at a time as a seven week rotation: art, design and visual communication, drama, fabric technology, food technology, health, information technology, materials technology, music, and Tikanga Maori.

Year 10 Year 10 students study English, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education and health as compulsory courses and as well can then choose from the following optional courses so they can pursue their individual strengths and interests: French or Te Reo Maori as full year courses or agriculture, art, design and visual communication, digital technology, drama, economics, fabric technology, food technology, metal technology, music and wood technology as half year courses.

At the end of term 2 and term 4 junior students are able to earn badge awards in recognition of excellence in the following areas: participation, cultural, sporting and academic.

Junior Graduation Programme The goal is to develop successful learners in Years 9 and 10. All subjects in Year 9 and 10 have grades which students gain through achievement. These grades are based on the key competencies necessary for learning and achievement

in four categories. The key competencies are; managing self, relating to others, participating and contributing and curriculum skills.

Whakapiki Whakapiki is our Gifted and Talented Programme where selected students participate in an enrichment programme that aims to encourage and challenge students in areas beyond what is offered in regular curriculum studies. Whakapiki also acts as a mentoring programme where staff oversee student progress and offer guidance and support encouraging students to “reach for the stars”.

Peer Mentoring Our Year 13 students participate in a peer mentoring programme where once a week they work alongside junior students in regular classes providing encouragement, support, and positive role-modelling.

Learning Support We operate a range of learning support initiatives at Stratford High School. We employ a number of Teacher Aides who run small group literacy recovery sessions, one-to one-tutoring and in-class support. Our Year 9 and 10 students who are working below national literacy standards are given the opportunity to use “Reading Plus” which is a web-based program that transforms how, what, and why students read while broadening interests and building knowledge. All of our teaching staff have undertaken dyslexia awareness training.

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Curriculum Year 11—13

The NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) is our qualification of choice for our senior students. It is well established and provides a variety of pathways for all students to maximize their potential.

NCEA Level 1 NCEA Level 2 NCEA Level 3

Compulsory subjects:

English Mathematics Science or Ecological Science

Option subjects (choose three) Accounting Agriculture Art Design Technology in Fabric

or Metal or Wood

Design and Visual Communication Digital Technology Drama Economics French Geography Health History Home Economics Music National Certificate in

Employment Skills

Physical Education SPEC Te Reo Mā ori

Compulsory subject:

English

Option subjects (choose five) Accounting Art Biology Chemistry Computer Studies Design Technology in Fabric or

Metal or Wood

Design and Visual Communication Digital Technology Drama Economics French Gateway Programme Geography History Home Economics Mathematics Mathematics Applied Media Studies National Certificate in

Employment Skills

Photography Physical Education Physics Sport and Health Studies Te Reo Mā ori

Option subjects (choose five)

Accounting Art Biology Chemistry Computer Studies Design Technology in Fabric or

Metal or Wood

Design and Visual Communication Digital Technology Drama Economics English French Gateway Programme Geography History Home Economics Mathematics with Calculus Mathematics Applied Media Studies Photography Physical Education Physics Statistics and Modelling Te Reo Mā ori

In the senior school (years 11 to 13) we offer a wide range of courses for students to select from. They can tailor their qualifications to suit their requirements and level of ability. Throughout their time at school, all students have access to careers staff and Deans who can assist them with academic course selection. Every effort is made to ensure students do not limit their options. They are encouraged to fulfil their potential and meet their individual goals.

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Learning and Achievement Honouring excellence

As a school we recognise academic success at the start of the year with our NCEA certificate endorsement awards and subject endorsement awards. NCEA is made up of internal assessment and external assessment (examinations) and at the start of each term we acknowledge those students who have gained excellence grades in their subject internals. These students are our 2015 scholarship and NCEA winners.

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Special Needs Te Rangimarie, provides for students with special needs. An individual education plan is formulated in partnership with families and Special Education advisers and students take part in a variety of learning opportunities at school and in the community. Students take a variety of mainstream classes depending on ability and interest, and almost all students attend form class and assembly.

As a class we swim in the local heated pools once a week, we attend Riding For the Disabled in season, and take part in Special Olympics events (with students from other Taranaki secondary schools) once a term.

Teacher-aides and teaching staff are experienced in dealing with a wide range of needs, while always acknowledging that each student is unique.

Learning and Achievement

Ultranet

“Ultranet is the leading Learning Management System (LMS) in New Zealand, being the online learning environment of choice … “

This is a portal that provides a window into our student management system. By accessing the Ultranet portal with your unique username and password, you will be able to check your child’s timetable, attendance, report and NCEA results along with your contact details, and more. Daily notices are also available on the school website.

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Student Guidance and Support Guidance network

”A well-considered pastoral care network supports student well-being and sense of belonging. Sound systems are in place to transition students into the school at Year 9” - 2014 ERO review.

Our full-time career specialist coordinates all aspects of careers in the school. Individual appointments for students and parents are arranged. Students have access to text and web-based resources, ensuring up-to-date information on career options and training pathways.

Careers

Keep in touch with parents, maintain standards and work with students to promote success.

Senior Leadership Team

Assists students and their families with specific concerns by offering specialist counselling. Refer-rals are made to outside support agencies where appropriate.

School Counsellor

How do we support students at Stratford High School?

Look after particular year level issues and en-courage academic achievement and behaviour.

Deans

Help Year 9 students settle into High School and act as “buddies” for them. They provide leader-ship and positive role modelling to all students.

Year 13 Student Leaders

and Peer Supporters

Students are able to access the Public Health Nurse Service through the student office or guidance coun-sellor.

Health Services

We aim to ensure the well-being of our students. We have a strong network of staff to provide support and guidance to all our students.

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Student Guidance and Support

Form Teacher Works closely with their vertical form class students. They get to know them well during their time at school. The form teacher monitors attendance, uniform, behaviour and general progress.

Peer Support An intensive programme takes place for year 9 students during term one. Year 13 students work with year 9 students to help them become familiar with the school, get to know each other and enjoy the positive culture of Stratford High School. On the first day of school only the year 9 and year 13’s attend and an afternoon of fun tabloid sports occurs.

Restorative Practices Stratford High School is a PB4L school. We are in the process of establishing a positive and flourishing learning environment by pursuing our ‘HEART’ values in everything we do.

In line with PB4L, Stratford High School is establishing restorative practices as an integral part of our learning and behavioural programme. Restorative practice focuses on taking responsibility for one’s actions and maintaining healthy relationships amongst all members of our school community.

Student Leadership

Each year student leaders are elected: head boy, head girl, BoT representative, arts & culture captains, sports captains (one boy and one girl), student council chairperson plus house leaders for each house. These students take a lead role in helping administer school events, act as role models and generally support and encourage students to make the most of the opportunities that present during their time at Stratford High School.

Student Council

There is also opportunity for students to represent their form class or year level on the student council.

Houses Students are placed where known into one of four houses historically. The four houses are: Amess, McAllister, Trimble and Tyrer and are named after the first two principals and board chairmen of the school.

Each house consists of six form classes, and in each form class all year levels are represented. The forms meet once a day three times a week and in assemblies twice weekly.

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Opportunities for All Sport and Culture

Developing interests, skills and passions in activities outside the classroom is vigorously promoted.

There are a number of ways in which new students can be involved:

Competitions We encourage students to enter a wide range of competitions across many different subjects and interest areas, including Australasian school examinations (ICAS), Asiawise, wearable art, performing arts, public speaking, maths spectacular and science fair.

Drama and cultural Drama productions, both large and small take place at different times during the year. Students have opportunities to act, dance, sing, or be involved in staging, sound and lighting.

Student council

Service to the school

Choir and orchestra

Debating, public speaking,

mooting,

Enviroteam

Kapa Haka

Library

Lions Music awards

New Caledonia exchange

Peer support/peer tutoring

Relay 4 Life

Rockquest

SADD

School productions

Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival

Sport exchanges and seminars

Stage Challenge

TSSSA events

Variety concert

Wearable art competitions

World Vision 40 Hour Famine

Sport teams: playing, coaching,

umpiring or managing teams

Young Farmers Club

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Kapa Haka Te Roopu o Te Amorangi provides an opportunity for students to learn and perform Te Reo me ona Tikanga (language and culture). The Kapa Haka group participate in Manu Korero and Pae Rangitahi each year as well as on numerous school occasions.

Music Music is taught as part of the curriculum in year 9. It becomes an option in years 10-13. Individual or small group music tuition is available in a variety of instruments from itinerant teachers.

Current hire fees are: Instrument hire: $20 per term or $60 per year if paid by 30 March. (This is for brass, wind and string instrument

lessons: $40 a year maintenance fee.

Guitar/keyboard lessons: $30 per year maintenance fee.

* These fees may change.

Sports A wide range of sports exist and include weekly competition in games such as basketball, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby and volleyball. Students also have the opportunity to represent the school at a variety of Taranaki Secondary School Sporting Association (TSSSA) events and the annual Taita College exchange. Students who succeed in sports not covered within SHS have their successes celebrated as part of the blues awards each year.

TOPEC All year 9 students take part in a one team building experience with their teaching class. Year 10 students have the opportunity to apply for a week long course at TOPEC.

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Partnerships “Our key partnership is with you the parent/caregiver.”

Newsletters Our key partnership is with you the parent/caregiver. The main way of keeping parents informed is via a school newsletter each month and emailed home to those that have requested it. Students are able to be issued with a paper copy. Newsletters are published on the Stratford High School website www.stratfordhigh.school.nz and from a link to our Facebook page. It is important that parents/caregivers read newsletters because they contain information about:

Reports on activities

Important dates

Student successes

Career opportunities

Examinations

Board of Trustees This group is responsible for the governance of the school. The members have a strong commitment to excellence in all aspects of the school and most especially in teaching and learning. There is a very harmonious relationship between the Board and staff and this encourages a positive and stimulating atmosphere in the school. The Board is proactive in ensuring buildings and facilities are maintained to the highest standard. The Board meets monthly.

Parent Teacher Association The PTA is a vital link between parents and the school community and provides the opportunity for parents to have an open channel of communication into the school at large. All parents are invited to attend the meetings and are urged to become involved with PTA activities while their children are at school. PTA meetings are held once a term and are advertised in the school newsletters and on Facebook.

Whānau Meetings Nau mai haere mai ki te whanau o Te Kura Tuarua o Whakaahurangi! Stratford High School whānau hold hui in Te Amorangi on the third Thursday of every month (except during term breaks). All whānau, community and staff are encouraged to attend.

Reporting Communication with parents is essential to students’ learning as it supports the learning partnership between the student, parents and the school. Junior students receive five reports each year and these count towards a graduation grade. There are two evening meetings during the year for teachers and parents to discuss reports and progress. Senior students receive an interim progress report in March, a report after assessment week in June and a full report at the end of the year. There are three evening meetings for teachers and parents to discuss reports and progress. Deans and subject teachers are available by appointment at any time throughout the year.

Independent learning Students are expected to do independent learning (homework) to enhance their understanding of class learning. This may take the form of independent reading and revision.

Year 9 and 10 students: A minimum of up to one hour per school night is expected.

Senior students: One to three hours per school night should be completed.

Poutama (Stairway to Success) This programme exists for all students. During term 1 parents or caregivers accompany their child to an interview with their form teacher/mentor where the student’s goals for the year are identified and recorded. Progress towards these SMART goals are reviewed regularly throughout the year within their mentor group.

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Practical Matters Enrolment Procedures

Enrolment procedure for new Year 9 students Enrolment forms will be given to students at their primary school and need to be returned to the primary school promptly. Mrs Butler (our Guidance Counsellor) and the Year 9 Deans for 2016 will visit schools towards the end of Term 3 to uplift the forms, talk to the Year 8 students and their teachers to prepare for entry to SHS. Parents are welcome to attend these visits.

Year 8 students will be invited to attend an orientation visit to SHS towards the end of Term 4 and the primary schools will notify parents when this is to occur. At this visit a guide book will be issued to students containing useful information including uniform and stationery requirements, starting dates and procedures, school bus information.

Enrolment procedure for other levels We ask that all students who wish to enrol in Stratford High School have a meeting with the Principal prior to being accepted for enrolment.

At this interview Mr Keenan will discuss subject choices, goals for the future and any learning or behaviour concerns that may exist. The enrolment form will be available for completion at this meeting.

Once this meeting is over uniform items may be purchased. On their first day at Stratford High School students will be orientated by the year level dean or our guidance counsellor Mrs Butler.

School uniform We are a uniformed school and our uniform is compulsory for all students from Year 9 to Year 13. There will be a second hand uniform sale in mid-January in the Stratford High School hall. Date and time will be advertised in the Stratford Press, school newsletters and SHS Facebook.

Details of our uniform are available from the school office or on our school website. Please do not hesitate to contact the school to clarify any matter of uniform.

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Term Dates for 2016

Term 1 1 February to 15 April

Term 2 2 May to 8 July

Term 3 25 July to 23 September

Term4 10 October to 13 December

School Charges and Donation

Administration fee The administration fee assists with our computer network and student printing costs. The fee is $20 per student.

School donation The school donation is encouraged to help provide funds for the library, school magazine, parent newsletters, cultural and sports activities. The donation is $70 per student or $100 per family.

Stationery A list will be available during the orientation visits in November and on the school website www.stratfordhigh.school.nz on the School Organisation page.

Subject fees These are compulsory and usually relate to items taken home, subject workbooks, etc.

Other

Buses

A free bus service is provided for students who live more than 4.8 km from the school. The buses are operated by Tranzit and students/caregivers are required to sign a contract at the beginning of each year. Bus organization is done at the beginning of the year.

Canteen A wide range of food is available at interval and lunchtimes. Lunches can be ordered at interval. EFTPOS is available.

School uniform Uniform items are available from “Off the Cuff” in Stratford.

Practical Matters “Quick Find”

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Stratford High School In the H E A R T of Taranaki

Swansea Road, Stratford | (06) 765 - 6039 Ph | (06) 765 - 5356 Fax

www.stratfordhigh.school.nz |mail@stratfordhigh.school.nz