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238 Collins Street,
Thornbury, Victoria 3071
Phone: (03) 9480 4066
Fax: (03) 9480 1314
Email: thornbury.hs@edumail.vic.gov.au
Principal: Peter Egeberg
238 Collins Street,
Thornbury, Victoria 3071
Phone: (03) 9480 4066
Fax: (03) 9480 1314
Email: thornbury.hs@edumail.vic.gov.au
Principal: Peter Egeberg
About The School
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions by parents visiting Thornbury HS
Q: What are your VCE results like?Answer:
The school median study score over the past three years has averaged 29/50, this is above state and like schools. All students doing year 12 during these years have satisfactorily completed VCE with close to 50% gaining University entrance. In 2008 80% of year 12 students received a first or second round offer for University.
The school median study score over the past three years has averaged 29/50, this is above state and like schools. All students doing year 12 during these years have satisfactorily completed VCE with close to 50% gaining University entrance. In 2008 80% of year 12 students received a first or second round offer for University.
Q: How do you extend and challenge students?
Answer:
In mixed classes teachers provide work/assignments which cater for different abilities but we also have a separate class for high achievers in year 7 & 8. . A select entry accelerated learning (SEAL) program will be introduced in 2011 if there is sufficient demand. At year 10 students can do VCE, VET or extension Maths.
In mixed classes teachers provide work/assignments which cater for different abilities but we also have a separate class for high achievers in year 7 & 8. . A select entry accelerated learning (SEAL) program will be introduced in 2011 if there is sufficient demand. At year 10 students can do VCE, VET or extension Maths.
Q: How do you cater for students with special learning needs?
Answer:
Students receive additional teacher support through our literacy, Koorie and integration programs. Class sizes average less than 23 in year 7 and trained teachers therefore have additional time to assist all students. At VCE an alternative program called VCAL operates and the homework club is open after school every Tuesday and Thursday.
Students receive additional teacher support through our literacy, Koorie and integration programs. Class sizes average less than 23 in year 7 and trained teachers therefore have additional time to assist all students. At VCE an alternative program called VCAL operates and the homework club is open after school every Tuesday and Thursday.
Q: What Languages Other Than English does the school offer?
Answer:
All students do Italian, Greek, Indonesian and Mandarin as a taster in year 7 then students specialise in one language in year 7-10.
All students do Italian, Greek, Indonesian and Mandarin as a taster in year 7 then students specialise in one language in year 7-10.
Q: What is the school's approach to Homework?
Answer:
Year 7 to 9 have a homework timetable which indicates the subjects students have for homework each night of the week. The schools approach is to keep homework to a minimum, make it regular but increasing as students approach VCE.
Year 7 to 9 have a homework timetable which indicates the subjects students have for homework each night of the week. The schools approach is to keep homework to a minimum, make it regular but increasing as students approach VCE.
Q: How does the school deal with Bullying?
Answer:
All cases of bullying are taken seriously with the bully suspended and counselled. The victim is also given support and there is an annual bullying survey. At recess and lunchtime teachers carefully supervise student behaviour.
All cases of bullying are taken seriously with the bully suspended and counselled. The victim is also given support and there is an annual bullying survey. At recess and lunchtime teachers carefully supervise student behaviour.
Q: How does the school deal with Drugs?
Answer:
In my 5 years at the school there has been no issue involving drugs but our policy is to expel any student caught selling and suspend and counsel students who use drugs - in personal development drug education is taught.
In my 5 years at the school there has been no issue involving drugs but our policy is to expel any student caught selling and suspend and counsel students who use drugs - in personal development drug education is taught.
Q: What approach does the school have to pastoral care?
Answer:
All teachers have a role to play but there is a teacher who plays a welfare/pastoral role with each child - this teacher also teaches the child in at least two subjects. The school has a Student Welbeing Coordinator, Social Worker, and Career counsellors.
All teachers have a role to play but there is a teacher who plays a welfare/pastoral role with each child - this teacher also teaches the child in at least two subjects. The school has a Student Welbeing Coordinator, Social Worker, and Career counsellors.
Q: What extra curricula activities are available?
Answer:
Music, debating, leadership roles, drama, coaching and sport - also the school has its own TV show on Channel 31.
Music, debating, leadership roles, drama, coaching and sport - also the school has its own TV show on Channel 31.
Q: What about girls?
Answer:
We offer a range of subjects which girls enjoy such as science, music, drama, dance, art and multimedia as well as the traditional subjects. The school has a safe and secure learning environment where students from a range of backgrounds excel in their learning.
We offer a range of subjects which girls enjoy such as science, music, drama, dance, art and multimedia as well as the traditional subjects. The school has a safe and secure learning environment where students from a range of backgrounds excel in their learning.
Q: Do you have a Music program?
Answer:
The school has a very successful music program, receiving a gold shield (highest award possible) at the Melbourne bands competition in 2005 & 2006. Students from year 7 can learn a musical instrument (for a minimal cost) and join one of our many bands.
The school has a very successful music program, receiving a gold shield (highest award possible) at the Melbourne bands competition in 2005 & 2006. Students from year 7 can learn a musical instrument (for a minimal cost) and join one of our many bands.
Q: What opportunities are available in sport?
Answer:
The school has an extensive sports program and facilities (Gym, Tennis, basketball courts, soccer and football fields). Over the past three years the school, on two occasions, has won the zone athletics competition and students are also successful in a range of interschool sports. There are also many opportunities for students to be involved in coaching.
The school has an extensive sports program and facilities (Gym, Tennis, basketball courts, soccer and football fields). Over the past three years the school, on two occasions, has won the zone athletics competition and students are also successful in a range of interschool sports. There are also many opportunities for students to be involved in coaching.
Q: What are your computer facilities like?
Answer:
Students have easy access to computers (5 computer classrooms and 10 computer pods). All computers are leased and so are upgraded every three years. Information technology is integrated across all subject areas and students are able to access their work from home. All students have access to Mathletics, an online interactive program, which students can log Onto from school and home.
Students have easy access to computers (5 computer classrooms and 10 computer pods). All computers are leased and so are upgraded every three years. Information technology is integrated across all subject areas and students are able to access their work from home. All students have access to Mathletics, an online interactive program, which students can log Onto from school and home.
Q: How big are your class sizes?
Answer:
The average class size at year 7 is 22 students and year 8&9 upto 25 per class. At yr 11-12 class sizes vary from 25 to 10 students.
The average class size at year 7 is 22 students and year 8&9 upto 25 per class. At yr 11-12 class sizes vary from 25 to 10 students.
Q: How much are school fees/voluntary charges?
Answer:
Books and uniform cost about $450 plus $140 for essential charges (covers computer, photocopying, planner, library) plus additional costs for music, camps and excursions.
Books and uniform cost about $450 plus $140 for essential charges (covers computer, photocopying, planner, library) plus additional costs for music, camps and excursions.
Q: The school seems to be growing in numbers, what size do you see the school becoming in the future?
Answer:
The school council has placed a ceiling on enrolments of a maximum of 900 students. This is about six classes at each year level.
The school council has placed a ceiling on enrolments of a maximum of 900 students. This is about six classes at each year level.
Q: How does the school keep the parents informed about student progress?
Answer:
There is an interim report and parent interviews half way through each semester. At the end of each semester there are detailed student reports. Teachers often use the student planner to inform parents about student progress and Coordinators regularly contact parents.
There is an interim report and parent interviews half way through each semester. At the end of each semester there are detailed student reports. Teachers often use the student planner to inform parents about student progress and Coordinators regularly contact parents.
Q: How does the school deal with student discipline?
Answer:
The main focus is on rewarding and acknowledging students for cooperative behaviour. The school has a set of four classroom rules and a set of consequences which are outlined in the student planner. All students have the right to learn and all teachers have the right to teach.
The main focus is on rewarding and acknowledging students for cooperative behaviour. The school has a set of four classroom rules and a set of consequences which are outlined in the student planner. All students have the right to learn and all teachers have the right to teach.
Q: What about school camps?
Answer:
The school conducts camps at year 7, 9 and 11 for all students with some additional camps for music students.
The school conducts camps at year 7, 9 and 11 for all students with some additional camps for music students.
The school believes that "high academic standards, a safe and secure learning environment and opportunities for students to pursue individual interests (eg. art, sport etc)" are the essential elements of a great education.
Browse through our site for more details about curriculum programs, policies, and priorities.