Gladstone High is committed to providing a challenging learning environment for students to achieve the required standard or above.
Our students at Gladstone State High School have access to the following:
1. Strong on academic, cultural and sporting opportunities, with a broad range of curriculum offerings;
2. Positive and safe environment within a caring school community that accepts and respects all students;
3. Preparation for the world of work, lifelong learning and contributing to society.
YEAR 10 FOUNDATION YEAR
Year 10 provides a foundation year for the senior phase of learning, to ensure a well informed choice for senior subjects. The Senior Education Training Plans are completed in the Careers Education programme, which is embedded in the Year 10 Humanities lessons.
SENIOR SECONDARY
General Syllabus Subjects:
English, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Legal Studies, Geography, Modern History, Physical Education, Marine Science, Drama, Visual Art, Music, Music Extension, Digital Solutions, Business, Accounting, Design (replacing Graphics) and Food and Nutrition
Applied Syllabus Subjects:
Essential English, Essential Mathematics, Science in Practice, Tourism, Social and Community Studies, Sport and Recreation, Aquatic Practices, Visual Arts in Practice, Information Communication and Technology, Building and Construction Skills, Engineering Skills, Furnishing Skills, Industrial Graphics, Hospitality Practices and Early Childhood Studies
Vocational Education and Training (VET) (8):
Certificate I and II Business, Certificate I Resource and Infrastructure, Certificate II Information Digital Media & Technology, Certificate II Skills for Work & Vocational Pathways
Other Vocational Education and Training (VET) Pathways on offer through Partnerships with External RTOs:
Certificate II Hospitality, Certificate III Fitness, Gladstone Trade Skill Centre Qualifications, CQ University Qualifications, EQIP Programs, Lar Shar College Programs
JUNIOR SECONDARY
At Gladstone State High School, Junior Secondary refers to Years 7, 8 and 9. Our teaching and learning program is based on the Australian Curriculum in the relevant subject areas. Our curriculum builds upon students' prior learning in Year 6 while providing the support and direction needed to be adequately prepared for the senior phase of learning. Our goal is to ensure sequential, relevant learning from primary school through to Year 10 and beyond.
Subjects taught in the Junior Secondary school include: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities (History and Geography), Languages other than English (Japanese), Health and Physical Education, The Arts (Music, Drama and Art), Technology (Business Technology, Digital Technology, Industrial Design and Technology and Home Economics).
At Gladstone State High School, we aim to use both our curriculum and pastoral care model to support, engage and challenge all students to 'Reach for the Stars'.
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
Demographics
The goal for our school is to promote the inclusive culture for all students, ensuring the needs of every child are catered for. This aligns with state and federal policies including the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education (DSE). The Special Education Program (SEP) supports students with a variety of disabilities including students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Speech and Language Impairment as well as Hearing, Visual and/or Physical Disabilities. We currently have over 130 students with verified disabilities within the school. In addition to this, the SEP investigates and makes decisions around support strategies for many students who are not verified, yet require significant adjustments to achieve success at school.
Case Managers
To enhance their personal development, some students with significant needs may have access to a Junior or Senior Case Manager. The Case Manager's role is to advocate and support the student to achieve their potential whilst at school. The Case Manager will coordinate meetings, monitor students' achievements and needs and advocate for appropriate adjustments or accommodations to ensure the student has an opportunity to be successful. The Case Manager will ensure that the student is aware of accessing the support services and strategies that promote their success at school.
Inclusive Meetings
Each fortnight a team of support personnel meet to discuss students that have been identified as requiring academic adjustments. These adjustments may be to learning content, environment, process or product. Decisions will be made on the potential adjustments that may work for a student and this is then reviewed at the following meeting. This is an excellent opportunity for staff to become aware of the support services within the school and also strategies that might help them in the classroom. This is an early identification process for students who have no adjustments or the current support processes may not be effective and therefore need reviewing.
Outside Agencies & Opportunities
Gladstone State High School is involved with many outside agencies. These partnerships enable us to offer a greater range of learning opportunities for our students. It also connects students with programs that can support them post school and during their schooling. Partnerships with outside agencies are vital for students with disabilities as the National Disability Insurance Scheme is now able to be accessed in Gladstone.
Multiclass Athletes
Students who have been classified as a Multiclass Athlete are entitled to participate in sporting events with other students with a disability. We have a number of students who are successful at regional, state and Australian representative levels. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in sporting opportunities to be part of a team and achieve great success.
Mainstream Access & Support
The primary focus for support teachers and leaders of the Inclusive Team is to work alongside students, parents, teachers and the community in a collaborative manner to provide high quality education programs that increase an individual student's success. Students are assisted in mainstream classes by teacher aides and learning enhancement teachers. The Inclusive Team meet regularly with a variety of stakeholders to ensure successful student outcomes for all students and to promote a culture of inclusion.
Alternate Programs
At times, students may need to enrol in an alternate subject where the primary focus is on consolidating functional literacy, numeracy, therapeutic needs and use of assistive technology and/or life skills. These classes are delivered by specialised teachers and teacher aides. In these programs students have access to up-to-date technology, home economics facilities, community work placements, volunteer programs and the ASDAN program.
Individual Curriculum Plans – Modified Mainstream
Some students require significant curriculum adjustments where their curriculum can be adjusted to a lower or higher year level. This will only occur when students are deemed eligible and parent approval has been sought. Students will be supported using a variety of alternative strategies prior to an ICP being considered. If an ICP is deemed appropriate, the student will be reported on as per their year level determined.
Work Experience
Some students require extensive support to gain and have success at work experience. As such, students have the opportunity to participate in work experience and gain a variety of valuable work related skills in supported settings. The placements vary from one morning to one day per week or a full week placement. Each workplace is provided with a confidential document that outlines the student's strengths and the impact of their disability and required support to ensure that the workplace is responsive to the individual needs of the student. Students can achieve part time and full time work as a direct result of this program.
Year 6 - 7 Transition Program
A Transition Program is organised for each student. This program is vital for ensuring students build a rapport with members of staff who will be supporting them during their high school years. It also give us an opportunity to determine how best to support each student. At times, it is necessary to provide an individualised program for some students and this can be designed in collaboration with SEP staff, the child's primary school and parents or caregivers. Parents are highly encouraged to make a meeting with the Deputy of Inclusion during Term 3 and 4, if they have a child with a disability.
LEARNING SUPPORT
Focus Class Programs
Students with additional needs may have the opportunity to access focus programs that enhance learning. These areas of focus are based on literacy, numeracy and the development of self-management skills. The programs are determined by areas of need, funding and opportunity; they may be to extend, consolidate or fill gaps in student learning. These programs are in place for students up to the end of Year 10.
Reading Program
Students involved in this program have been identified as having a specific area of need in decoding written text. It is a one on one program, where students work with tutors to build skills and confidence in decoding to enable them to be able to access curriculum more readily in the classroom.
Mainstream Class Support
Learning Support staff are involved in supporting the Junior Secondary program. Their role is to work in conjunction with the Junior Secondary teachers to ensure that differentiation occurs in each classroom to cater for all the learning needs. Teachers are also used to support classes with high support needs. This often includes joint planning. Teacher aides are also used throughout the mainstream environment to support classes that have a high number of students with learning difficulties.
Exam Support
The purpose of Exam Support is to assist students with literacy and/or anxiety difficulties to ensure that they are successfully demonstrating what they know and can do. Students with a learning disability or those who have an injury that limits their ability to adequately complete the exam, are eligible for assistance during periods of assessment. Support is provided in a number of ways including exam reader, scribe, separate room, extra time.
Outside Classroom Support (Before School, Break Times)
Learning Support teachers and teacher aides are regularly available to work with students 1:1 or in a small group environment. A student can book an appointment with a member of staff either before school or during one of their breaks.
Transition Program
Students who are in contact with Learning Support staff in their primary schools are offered an opportunity to participate in the program. This program ensures Learning Support staff at GSHS build a rapport with each student and understand their strengths and learning needs.
Individual Curriculum Plans
A student's required year level will be identified through a variety of assessments and testing. This may mean that they need their curriculum to be modified to a lower or higher year level. Endorsement is required from the parent/guardian for this to occur.
EAL/D – ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE or DIALECT
To support students who enrol in GSHS from a non-English background, an EAL/D co-ordinator will determine an appropriate support plan to assist the student with English proficiency. This program is only for eligible students. The EAL/D teacher provides intensive support in speaking, listening, reading and writing Standard Australian English.
GIFTED AND TALENTED
All Queensland state schools are committed to meeting the learning needs of students who are gifted and/or talented. At Gladstone State High School, we strive to meet these needs by offering various talented programs and being involved in many national, state and local initiatives to recognise students who demonstrate outstanding talents and show potential in academic and extracurricular activities.