Contact details
Head of Department: Doug Ryan
Telephone: (07) 4081 5216
Email: dwrya0@eq.edu.au
Year 7 was established as the first year of high school in all Queensland state and non-state schools in 2015. At Woree State High School Years 7, 8 and 9 have become the distinctive beginning phase of secondary schooling – Junior Secondary - and a solid beginning for all students. The junior secondary students are clearly visible by their own junior uniform.
Philosophy
Our schooling philosophy is embedded within the overall school vision of:
“Quality and Equality:
Quality in teaching and learning and Equality in educational opportunity.”
The junior schooling philosophy is based around the provision of a seamless curriculum supported by strong, positive relationships with increased opportunities and learning outcomes for students.
Our aim is to maintain student enthusiasm for learning and build self-esteem so that school and learning is a positive and meaningful experience and prepares the student for the multiple pathways of senior schooling.
Quality teaching
Teachers working with students in the Junior Secondary phase of schooling support young teens through these crucial early high school years by:
- Having an explicit understanding of the needs and concerns of adolescent learners within their curriculum design and delivery
- Developing explicitly structured lessons that cater for the early adolescence brain and body
- Employing collaborative practices in developing and implementing quality teaching programs
- Using data collected from Reading Probes, NAPLAN, PAT-r, PAT-m, TORCH, OneSchool and one-on-one interviews to form an extensive knowledge of the learner
- Offering a range of differentiated programs including: Accelerated/Enrichment Academic courses, Literacy and Numeracy Learning Support and Special Education.
- A culminating ceremony to award students with a Junior Certificate of Education, which enables students in Year 9 achieve a certificate of their dedication to their learning over the first phase of their secondary schooling.
Student wellbeing
As a place of learning, Woree State High School values effort, self-responsibility, safety and respect. The embedding of these values is driven by our Positive Behaviour for Learning Program. Student wellbeing at Woree State High School is nurtured through:
-
A transition program involving Year 6 students from Woree State School, White Rock State School and Balaclava State School. This program, assists in addressing the issues of reducing anxiety associated with change, organisational challenges, disrupted peer relationships, changed student-teacher relationships and expectation associated with students learning in a Junior Secondary context.
- The school’s curriculum and learning environment has been aligned with the Learning and Wellbeing Framework by acknowledging individual differences and providing opportunities for students to succeed through the:
- Positive Behaviour for Learning Team providing lessons to teachers that clearly explain expected behaviour (ongoing process)
- Rewarding good behaviour through an online rewards system and weekly awards on parades
- Student Council running an anti-bullying and cyber-safety agenda
- The use of the Junior Certificate of Education System in the school planner which builds the foundations for wellbeing and lifelong learning
- Personal Developmental Learning program run by HPE Department.
- A comprehensive Student Support Services Team
- Pastoral care in their daily Form Classes
- Catering for a rich diversity of cultures by valuing cultural days and events
- A wide range of extra-curricular activities (e.g. Marching Band, Stage Band, sporting teams, Student Council, etc.)
- An '11s 4 7s' mentoring program which encourages friendship networks between Year 11 and Year 7 students through a series of coordinated events and activities.
- Engaging in opportunities for Student Led Conferences with the Principal and Junior Secondary Head of Department.