Kew High School has a diverse student community where 41 nationalities are represented in the population and over sixty overseas students are enrolled, almost all at VCE levels. Our main feeder primary schools are Kew, Kew East, Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe East and Alphington. Demand for places at Kew High School continues to be high although the permanent school buildings can only accommodate a finite number. We are finding it difficult to contain our overall student population which has now risen from 701 in 1996 to over 1000 students. Enrolments at Year 7 were 200 in 2010.
Due to a distinct emphasis on the importance of relationships, the creation of shared norms and agreed behaviours and a carefully managed wellbeing structure there is strong understanding about how all school community members want to be treated and what constitutes appropriate behaviour. As a general rule our students are well-motivated, interested in their studies and feel connected to the school.
We have a diversity of staff in terms of age, nationality and gender. Each year we have been fortunate to be in the position to put on new staff, some of whom are young graduates. There is a willingness to embrace change and see it as an opportunity for growth; an ability to develop positive student-teacher relations; consistent approaches to effective pedagogy and a desire for and responsiveness to Professional learning. Staff are committed to a whole school focus on learning and teaching, receptive to innovation and flexibility and provide students, and each other, with a depth of experience, expertise and enthusiasm.
A focus of our discussions is how we can continue to provide a stimulating and secure learning environment involving a wide network of community partnerships.
All teaching staff have participated in professional learning throughout the year such as unpacking the Principles Of Teaching and Learning (POLT) and assessment for, of and as learning. There has been considerable time devoted to coaching and mentoring and the improvement of skills such as listening and questioning skills, substantive dialogue, the giving and receiving of feedback, reflection and the use of data
