St Helena Secondary College
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2008-06-01T11:01:47Z
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__FORCETOC__
{{Infobox School2
| name = St Helena Secondary College
| image =[[Image:Sthelena logo.gif]]
| motto = Dare to be excellent
| established = 1984
| type = Public
| grades = 7 - 12
| head_name = Principal
| head = Trudy Thomson
| head_name2 = Teachers
| head2 = 116 (2007)
| students = 1,606 (2007)
| city = Melbourne
| state = Victoria
| country = Australia
| school_colors = Maroon, Grey & Black
| average_name = Average VCE Study Score
| average = 30.3
| website = http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au
}}
{{Primarysources|date=June 2008}}
'''St Helena Secondary College''' is a state secondary school in [[Eltham North]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]].
<br>
== About ==
St Helena is a large, co-educational government secondary college committed to striving for excellence in all its endeavours. It features architect designed facilities which include a library, theatre, gymnasium complex, specialist technology rooms, a VCE centre, Junior School area and a large canteen.
In 2005 the school completed the construction of a $2.7 million Science & Technology Centre as well as soccer field, which is shared by the Eltham Junior Soccer Club.
Form teachers are the primary contact for students and continuity
of contact is considered important in the transition from
primary to secondary education.
The curriculum offers a balanced
mix of academic and skills-based subjects. A wide range of
subjects at VCE level provides students with optimum choices,
enabling them to be well equipped for further study or the
workforce. All courses provide open ended extension activities
to challenge high achievers and students having difficulty
are also supported. The school offers an Accelerated Curriculum and
Enrichment (ACE) program for students at years 7 - 10 and
mainstream students in years 7-9 can also enjoy enrichment
activities in a wide range of subjects through the ‘Access’
program.
== Structure ==
The school is divided into three units; Junior, Middle and Senior Schools, each with a particular learning focus.
Each mini-school has a principal
and year level manager as well as managers who are
responsible for welfare, discipline and
learning support, as well as developing
and fostering student leadership.
Each mini-school team has a specific location in the
school so that students find them easily. St. Helena's principals are:
Principal - Trudy Thomson, Junior School Principal -George Willox, Middle School Principal - Rosemarie Neville, Senior School Principal - Karen Terry.
Each form is assigned form teacher who looks after its students
and helps other teachers with discipline and welfare matters.
The form teacher is the person to be contacted by parents
and students if any problems arise.
A careers adviser also works closely with the Senior
School to assist with course information and future career
pathways.
== Respect ==
Respect is a core value at St Helena, with three key foci:
1. '''Respect for the college and the community. '''
Clearly articulated expectations of students’ conduct
and behaviour guide the life of the college community.
2. '''Respect for peers: '''
A key aspect of respect for peers is not allowing any
form of bullying. The Anti-Bullying program at St
Helena (controversially) addresses the issue of building
positive student relationships, developing respect for
others and giving students responsibility for the
well being of others.
3. '''Respect for self: '''
Self-respect is fostered by encouraging all students to
recognise and develop their individual strengths and
interests. However, the college complicates issues through
the lack of individuality and personal development pathways
through various policies implimented throught the school.
== Commitment ==
=== Commitment to extra curricular program ===
The college is committed to a traditional core value of respect and they particularly
respect teachers who enhance their extremely extensive extra curricular program. All
nine learning areas are equally valued and there is an Accelerated Curriculum
Enhancement Program (ACE Program).<ref>http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au/thecollege/positions/St%20Helena%20Commitment.pdf</ref>
=== Commitment to HOTS and IT ===
Because of the high level of expertise in the use of information technology that already
exists on the staff, all reports are computer generated, curriculum materials are
expected to be stored on the college computer network and staff members enter their
own data relating to most school operations.
The college will be redeveloping its entire curriculum over the next three years with an
emphasis on Higher Order Thinking and the use of information technology. This is
known as the "HOTSPOT" project. All teachers are being trained in these skills, and,
with the school's "Leading Schools" funding, at any time around twenty teachers will be released
from a class each for a semester to work in groups with each group revising a section
of the curriculum.
It is the college's expectation that teachers commit to the introduction of the Higher Order
Thinking Skills and IT in their curriculum and so agree to trial new curriculum as it is
developed.<ref>http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au/thecollege/positions/St%20Helena%20Commitment.pdf</ref>
=== Commitment to Performance & Development Culture ===
St Helena is proud of its tradition of mutual staff support. The college is also
appreciative that it was selected in the first cohort of schools to gain accreditation for
its "Performance and Development" culture. There is an expectation that all teachers
will perform at a high level and participate in a program of performance management.
Sharing amongst staff is a paramount value.
Hence, it is an expectation of all new staff appointed to St Helena that:
*They are committed to assisting in the development and redesign of curriculum, and
are willing to share with other staff.
*They agree to visit other teachers' classrooms and open their own classrooms to
their fellow teachers.<ref>http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au/thecollege/positions/St%20Helena%20Commitment.pdf</ref>
== Curriculum ==
Each week is divided into 30 lessons
of 48 minutes each. The
technology program is organised so that
over three years all students study all
Technology areas. This policy of
providing a core program to all students
from years 7-9, rather than electives,
broadens students’ experiences and
skills.
The school day begins at 8.30am and finishes at 2.50pm.
Each day is structured around the following curriculum:
'''Years 7-9'''
In years 7 - 9 all students study the same subjects.
'''Year 10'''
Students undertake core studies in English, Mathematics,
Humanities and Physical Education/Health. Students choose
three electives each semester. They must choose at least
one Science, one Information Technology, one Arts and one
Technology elective over the year. A range of VCE subjects
are offered as part of the elective system.
'''Years 11-12'''
St Helena offers a broad range of subjects in years 11
and 12.
The senior school contains 400 students and has excellent
facilities in all curriculum areas. St Helena offers an extensive
VCE program which successfully prepares students for all
areas of tertiary study and employment.
The college currently has courses in a wide range of
subjects including English, Humanities, the Arts (both Visual
and Performing), Business Studies, Mathematics, Science,
Information Technology, Technology, Health and Human
Development Studies and offers four VET (Vocational
Education and Training) Courses.
== Nanotechnology ==
{{main|Nanotechnology}}
As of the start of [[2007]], St Helena started offering [[Nanotechnology]] as a subject in years 10, 11 and 12, and as part of the science curriculum in years 7, 8 and 9. St Helena is the first high school in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria, Australia]] to offer [[Nanotechnology]] as a part of the standard curriculum for years 7 through 9, and as an elective in Year 10.
== VCE Statistics ==
In 2006, the number of students enrolled in at least one VCE program increased to 299, with 225 enrolled in a VET certificate. 99% of students successfully obtained their VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education), with 95% of VET units of competence
completed. The median study score dropped from 30.3 in 2005 to 29 in 2006, and 5% of students achieved Study Scores of above 40 (putting them in the top 8% of the state)
== Performance ==
St Helena is well known for its
performance tradition. Highlights of the
year are the musical production, Rock
Eisteddfod, drama production and music
concerts.
'''Musical production'''
These are always outstanding successes and involve large numbers of students from years 7–12 both in casts and backstage. In recent years students have sung, danced and acted their way through such diverse productions as ''[[The Pajama Game]]'', ''[[Footloose (musical)|Footloose]]'' and the ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1902 stage play)|The Wizard of Oz]]'', staged to packed audiences over 12 performances. Under the guidance of director, Glenda Evans, the musical productions take on a highly professional feel with each and every cast member striving for perfection. The productions
encourage student involvement and have inspired many participants to continue to perform after leaving St Helena. The college recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary Musical Production, "[[Kismet (musical)|Kismet]]".
A list of the schools musicals are as follows:
*1987 - Destiny's Heroes
*1988 - Man of Steel
*1989 - [[Finian's Rainbow]]
*1990 - [[Little Shop of Horrors (musical)|Little Shop of Horrors]]
*1991 - [[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]
*1992 - [[Leader of the Pack (musical)|Leader of the Pack]]
*1993 - [[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]
*1994 - [[Annie]]
*1995 - [[Grease (musical)|Grease]]
*1996 - [[The King and I]]
*1997 - The Sentimental Bloke
*1998 - [[Fiddler on the Roof]]
*1999 - [[Little Shop of Horrors (musical)|Little Shop of Horrors]]
*2000 - [[Return to the Forbidden Planet]]
*2001 - [[My Fair Lady]]
*2002 - [[The Pajama Game]]
*2003 - [[The Wizard of Oz (1902 stage play)|The Wizard of Oz]]
*2004 - [[Footloose (musical)|Footloose]]
*2005 - [[Oliver!|Oliver]]
*2006 - [[Kismet (musical)|Kismet]]
*2007 - [[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]
*2008 - [[Urinetown]]
'''Rock Eisteddfod'''
The college is actively involved in the Rock Eisteddfod annual
competition. The performances, although limited to eight
minutes, enable over 100 students each year to work together
to create and perform a dance routine which focuses on positive
lifestyles.
'''Drama'''
In 2004 the first College Production was staged. The play
“I’m on TV” allowed students, with the aid of director Emma Oliver,
to build on and act out a story. The project was considered a success and therefore, has been added to the colleges list of annual events. This will provide another option to students interested in drama and performance.
A list of the college plays are as follows:
*2004 - I'm on TV!
*2005 - Stilettos and Sneakers
*2006 - Dags
*2007 - Skate
*2008 – Cosi
'''Instrumental Music'''
Music performance is an important part of the curriculum
at St Helena. In addition to normal classroom music, students
are encouraged to learn a musical instrument so they can
participate in one of the five school bands and numerous smaller
groups. Many of these groups perform at local schools and in
state, national and international competitions.
There are currently four [[concert]] bands, with [[brass]], [[woodwind]] and [[percussion]] [[instruments]], three [[jazz]] bands, as well as many smaller [[ensembles]].
Each year, the Senior Concert band and the Senior Jazz band travel interstate to compete in band competitions.
*2003: [[Australian Capital Territory|ACT]], Touring [[Canberra]]
*2004: [[New Zealand]], Touring [[Auckland]] and [[Wellington]]
*2005: [[Queensland]], touring [[The Gold Coast]] and [[Brisbane]]
*2006: [[New South Wales]], [[Sydney]]
*2007: [[Tasmania]], Touring [[Hobart]] and [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]]
*2008: [[Queensland]], Touring [[The Gold Coast]] and [[Brisbane]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au/ School Website]
*[http://www.sthelena.vic.edu.au/Newsletter.htm Weekly Newletter Archive]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1984]]
[[Category:Rock Eisteddfod Challenge participants]]
[[Category:Schools in Melbourne]]