THORNBURY HIGH SCHOOL

10 years

Beginning of term 4 2013 is the end of my tenth year as Principal at the school. While many give me the credit for the transformation of the school it is very much a team effort by the staff, students and parents.

Recently one of the parents I was showing around the school asked me to comment on my main focus as Principal in the past 10 years. In answering this question I highlighted the following:

• Student achievement (such as VCE results but also in Music, Media, sport and many others)

• Safe and secure learning environment (this is now very much part of our culture and the annual bullying survey has allowed students to own and embrace this approach

• A range of pathways for all students (all students who start in year 7 have the right to complete their schooling at THS – this may mean students having access to VCAL, high achievers and other pathways)

In the 2012 report to the school community the following school performance data was highlighted:

• The year 7-9 matched cohort data shows most students moving from below similar schools in year 7 to below or close to similar schools in year 9. Numeracy is below similar schools.

• VCE median study score from 2009 to 2012 of 28 is below expectations and a significant change in the approach to English at VCE is currently in progress.

• Thornbury High student attitude to school survey results are well within the top 20% band of Victorian government schools.

• Our results in finding post school pathways for senior students were above the state median. The 2009-12 average exit (to further studies and employment) results are higher than other schools on adjusted school performance measures.

In 2012 the school also celebrated its 50th Anniversary and in 2013 the school’s population is now over 1000 students with the first of four mod5 portable classrooms to be installed on site in term 4.

The main challenges for the next couple of years are:

• managing a student population of over 1200

• imbeding new literacy programs at year 7-9

• further improvement in VCE results as well as providing relevant pathways

• Implementing the improvement to teaching by using theThornbury lesson model across all classes

• maintaining the present strong relationships within the school community

• managing the significant transition into the school of Preston Girls students and African background students

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It is up to all members of the school community to help plan carefully for a larger school without losing the current qualities of a smaller school.

In conclusion

Managing the significant changes which the school has implemented required strong support from the whole community. The threat of closure was used as a rallying point but also a strong vision well articulated and supported by the school community made the medicine easier to swallow.

In the end the performance of a school can be measured in many ways. Some schools focus on their final year results, others focus on providing a safe learning environment or catering for students with special needs while still others focus on specialist areas such as music, sport, media or art. Many schools boast about the number of students who go on to University while others focus on retaining students at school and providing pathways to TAFE, apprenticeships and the work force.

At Thornbury High we believe that all these things are important. Striving to cater for diversity is a truly difficult goal, but the school believes it is one that must be sought. We believe that all students regardless of their ability or background are valued members of our school community. We value academic achievement but also achievement in our practical studies. We value performance in the arts, music, sport and media. We challenge our high achieving students and support students with learning needs. We also value the importance of offering students different learning pathways at school and after school.

Thornbury High is now the school of first choice for the majority of students who live locally. I look forward to the challenges of the next five years.

Peter Egeberg Principal Thornbury High