THORNBURY HIGH SCHOOL

At Thornbury High School we believe that a safe and secure learning environment, high academic standards and opportunities for students to pursue individual interests are the essential elements of an outstanding education.

At Thornbury High our purpose is to prepare students for a changing, diverse and sustainable world by:

• Building knowledge and skills

• Encouraging effort and excellence

• Fostering resilience and integrity

• Developing a caring and cooperative learning community.

Core values arise out of what we believe to be important about people, about society and about learning and knowledge. Values inform and shape how the school is organised, how people relate to each other in school, how decisions are made, as well as the content and processes of teaching and learning. Staff, students and parents have identified the following core values:

• Integrity, responsibility and respect – all community members are responsible for their own actions, treat others as they would want to be treated and are honest with each other.

• Knowledge, skills and opportunity – all community members value knowledge, the development of new skills and we make the most of our opportunities.

• Resilience and wellbeing – our community supports its members to adjust to change and encourages health and happiness.

• Concern for others and community – our school welcomes community involvement and cares about the success and safety of others.

• Excellence and persistence – we recognise the need to persist and put in the effort to achieve our best.

• Inclusion and diversity – our school welcomes a range of cultures and respects their ideas and beliefs.

The School’s vision centres around four main pillars which form the essentials of an outstanding education and future success:

• Excellence and academic achievement for each student.

• Developing values and fostering positive personal attributes in each student.

• Providing a range of pathways through school and after school.

• Fostering students’ unique skills in areas such as the sciences, arts, music, leadership and sport.

At Thornbury High school there are three distinct phases in education:

• Establishment and support (year 7 & 8).

• Empowerment and Independence (year 9).

• Specialisation and Pathways (year 10, 11 & 12).

Year 7 & 8

In Year 7 & 8 students have the choice of mainstream program or the Concept program for High Achievers.

• In the mainstream program all students receive challenging but appropriate work. There is additional support for students with literacy problems and smaller class sizes.

• The ‘Concept’ Program runs from year 7 to year 9 and is designed to cater for students who have a love of learning. The program is designed to extend and challenge these students whilst engaging with the mainstream curriculum. For more information seeSpecial Programs – High Achievers (Concept Program) on our web site.

Year 9

In year 9 students are involved in an authentic learning program with an emphasis on team learning, connections to the local community and the extensive use of information and communication technology. A significant part of their studies will occur in the newly renovated Knowledge Centre which is a flexible and multi-purpose learning environment.

Year 10

In year 10 students will be prepared for their VCE studies but also have a range of curriculum choices. These choices include VCE studies, advanced Mathematics, Vocational and Education studies (VET) and a range of electives.

Year 11 & 12

At year 11 and 12 students are able to complete a traditional academic program or an alternative ‘hands-on’ program called the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). The academic program includes the sciences & mathematics, arts, commerce, humanities and technology. VCAL provides a more hands on approach with an emphasis on practical studies with a component of community & work experience.