Belconnen High School opened in 1971 and enjoys a rich history such as the school hall being the Tally Room for the 1972 Federal election. We caters for students from years 7 to 10 with our core values of respect, excellence, leadership, pride, cooperation, and having a positive attitude and commitment. The school is situated in the ACT suburb of Hawker and is an integral part of the Hawker Collegiate of Schools. The other members of the Collegiate are Hawker Primary school (years P to 6) and Hawker College (years 11 & 12). The Collegiate provides a unique opportunity for students from years P to 12 within the suburb of Hawker.
Our School Board and P & C work closely with our school community to provide an environment that promotes excellence, celebrates success, nurtures the wellbeing of all students and successfully provides students with the skills and values that will prepare them for the challenges and responsibilities of adult citizenship. This has seen the P&C introduce parent forums that provide information for parents and feedback to the school.
Pastoral care is an integral part of the school staffed by Student Services Co-ordinator, Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, year group Co-ordinators, School Counsellor, a Youth Support Worker and a Chaplain. This team ensure a supportive House system and a Student Representative Council (SRC) that is connected to the governance of the school.
The school offers a traditional comprehensive curriculum that is structured around the Key Learning Areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Science Studies of Society Environment (SoSE), Physical Education, The Arts, Technology and Languages other than English (LOTE). The Languages currently offered at the school are French and Indonesian.
Students are extended and challenged through the highly successful enrichment program (PEP) in the areas of English, Mathematics, SoSE and Physical Education. Students are given the opportunity to study a number of Vocational Education and Training courses and to begin an Australian School Based Apprenticeship (ASBA).
Complementary to the traditional curriculum the school runs a number of targeted programs designed at connecting and engaging students to the school and their learning. Amongst these is a highly successful program that caters for students with a diagnosis of high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in particular Asperger's Syndrome that
Belconnen High School enables the students to be integrated into the school. The program is staffed by both teaching and support staff who designed and facilitate the student's learning through an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The program successfully transitions the students into a mainstream college for years 11 and 12.
The school enjoys renewed and updated facilities in Science, Mathematics, Information Technology and Physical Education.
At Belconnen High School our vision is to enable every student to achieve successful learning outcomes and promote the pursuit of excellence in every learning area. Belconnen High School follows the ACT Curriculum Framework “Every Chance to Learn”. Belconnen High School focuses on Literacy and Numeracy across the curriculum. In the classroom the teachers follow the Quality Teaching model which underpins the curriculum framework in focusing on Intellectual quality, Quality learning environment and Significance. In 2011 Belconnen High School began implementing the Australian Curriculum.
The curriculum structure is based around every student studying from the Key Learning Areas (KLAs). This enables a student to have a board understanding and experiences in all areas and a sound understanding for future directions in life.
The KLAs
English
Mathematics
Science
Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE)
The Arts
Technology
Physical Education and Health
Languages (French or Indonesian)
Students study seven subjects in each semester. In Year 7 students are given an opportunity to explore the Arts and Technology subjects before electing an Arts and Technology subject in Year 8. In Year 9 and 10 students are given further opportunities to elect Art, Technology and Language subjects.
Year 7
As the student transitions into High school they complete studies throughout the year in
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE)
- PE and Health and
- Languages (French or Indonesian)
- CARE
Students will complete four 10 week units in the Arts and Technology
- A general Arts program comprising a rotation through units in Art, Dance and Drama and Music
- A general Technology program comprising a rotation through units in Food Studies, Textiles, Woodwork and Metalwork
Students can also elect to join the School Band program that operates as a timetabled class in Year 7 in conjunction with the Arts/Technology rotation.
Students will elect either French or Indonesian prior to arriving at Belconnen High School.
Year 8
Students continue to complete studies throughout the year in
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE)
- PE and Health and
- Languages (French or Indonesian) NB from 2011 all students in Year 3 – 8 will study a second language
- CARE
Students will select elective units in Arts and Technology each semester.
Year 9 and Year 10
Students continue to complete studies throughout the year in
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE)
- PE and Health
- CARE
