Blackwood High School is located in the foothills of Adelaide. The profile of enrolled students includes 5% students of Non-English Speaking Background, 4% English as a Second Language Learner, 3% students with a recognized disability and 1% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. In addition to these students, the school has increasing numbers of full fee paying international students from countries including Japan, Hong Kong, China, Russia and Korea.
Our students grow up in a learning environment that places a strong emphasis on students doing their best in all of their endeavours. They learn in an environment that has a strong tradition of academic and sporting excellence. They are friendly, open minded and caring young people, focussed on developing skills and understandings that ensure that they leave our school as well adjusted and creative young men and women. Our students leave confident that they have the intellectual and personal skills for a rewarding, fulfilling life and career.
Our teachers are part of a motivated and professional team, noted for their skill, knowledge and commitment to developing a positive and challenging learning culture in our school. Many of our teaching staff have been assessed as Advanced Skills Teachers (AST). As a result, we have an enviable reputation for high achievement in scholarship, sport, and cultural activities such as music, art and drama. Up to date facilities such as the Performing Arts Centre, Visual Arts Studios and the co-located Blackwood Recreation Centre support our focus in sport and the Arts.
Students in year 8 to year 10 study within the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, which is the framework adopted by the schools of the Mitcham Hills College. From Year 6 to Year 10 our programs are tailored to cater for the diversity of students abilities and interests. In the Middle Years all students study the full range of subjects, including two languages. In the senior years, students study the South Australian Certificate of Education. This program provide our students with the opportunity to study a broad range of subjects that can lead to both professional and vocational pathways. The school also has strong links with the local community, and our commitment to vocational and enterprise education and the links developed with local industry remain a priority in the school.
I believe students learn best when they feel valued, listened to and challenged, but most importantly when they feel cared for and safe. As Principal, it is my commitment to you that we will always work with you to achieve this important goal. In partnership with you as parent or caregiver, it is our purpose to ensure your daughter or son is well prepared to meet the challenges of an emerging, globalised world.
At Blackwood High School we are committed to providing opportunities for students to excel through support and challenge, inorder for them to achieve their personal best. Students striving, in conjunction with their teachers, to achieve their best enables themto have a breadth and choice of post school options.
This curriculum prospectus describes the curriculum in Years 8 to 12 at Blackwood High School for 2012. Subject selection is veryimportant in shaping potential and desired future pathways through to further education, training and employment.The informationin this booklet is designed to support students and their families in making informed choices about their future through courseoptions.
The curriculum at Blackwood High School in Years 8 to 10 is the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP). Thiscurriculum is internationally accredited and is supported through strong curriculum connections within and across the Mitcham HillsCollege - comprising seven schools including Blackwood High, Belair, Bellevue Heights, Blackwood, Coromandel Valley, EdenHills and Hawthorndene Primary Schools. Students coming to Blackwood from within the Mitcham Hills College continue with thefive year IBMYP program to the end of Year 10. Students who come from schools outside the Mitcham Hills College, are ableto complete the IBMYP through Years 8 to 10. The IBMYP equips students with the skills and abilities to engage in a full range ofcourses in Year 11 and 12 as well as developing globally minded young people. Within Year 9 and 10 students are able to makesome choices to follow their passions, strengths and interests. Students in Year 10 commence their SACE Studies by undertaking thecompulsory component, the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) delivered through their pastoral care program.
The senior school curriculum is consistent with the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) offering both SACE Stage 1(Year 11) and SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) opportunities. Students at Blackwood High School can undertake a range of courses in thesenior school including a comprehensive range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs. Details of the requirements tocomplete the SACE and the opportunities available are provided in the prospectus.
Blackwood High School actively seeks links with the tertiary sector to offer curriculum that enables students to have tertiary experience.This includes enrolment in some tertiary programs and tertiary staff working with students and our staff. These opportunities canchange from year to year. However, as they become available students are provided with information and supported by the staffin the school.
To support the important process of course selection and counselling, student assemblies to explain the process and parentinformation evenings will be conducted early in Term 3 prior to the Course Counselling Day.
Course selection requires making wise decisions. These decisions need to be based on student individual interests, past successesand desired futures. Staff at Blackwood High are available to support students and parents in providing information and adviceabout course requirements.
