Belonging is very important
for children’s mental health and wellbeing. Children who feel that they belong
at school are happier, more relaxed and have fewer behavioural problems than
other students. They are also more motivated to learn and be more successful
with their school work. Research into children’s mental health has found that a
sense of belonging and connectedness at school helps to protect children
against mental health difficulties and improves their learning. [https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/mental-health-matters/belonging-and-connectedness/belonging-school-makes-difference]
We create a sense of belonging by developing connections
Connect teachers meet with each
student at least two times per year to review progress and check in with the
young person to check in on:
- Relationships and emotions
- Rest & play and spirituality
- School/work and organisation
- Care for body and Resilience
Starting at school
Right
from the very start, we collect information about every new student and then
share this with our teaching teams. We
also have a group of volunteer students who act as ambassadors with students
connecting before they start.
Year 6 students (along with parents and carers) engage in a transition
program in the form of a series of information and familiarisation sessions.
Students enrolling in a Centre of Excellence will work with the leaders of
these program in groups and individually. A program of interviews provides all
other students with an opportunity to give us information individually. It
might also be useful for you to meet with other staff in preparation of the
start at Cairns State High. Students with disability must meet with the Head of
C4DL.
Students coming in to other Year Levels will
meet with the relevant Head of School and be introduced to the Year Coordinator
who will help with the induction to the school.
Connect program and teacher
Character strengths underpin the Connect program delivered to
students in Year 7-9 by their connect teacher.
Students in Year 10 are
prepared for their senior studies and engage in extensive career education.
Year 11 and 12 students
attend a number of workshops and events targeting study skills, health and
career development.
The Cairns State High Responsible
Behaviour and Wellbeing Plan details the scope of the Wellbeing
program provided to students in the school.
Support and services
The support team consists of a part
time chaplain, a School Based Youth Health Nurse (emploted by the Department of
Health) and a full time social worker. They connect students with a range of
social and welfare programs available in the community.
The library offers a range of face to face and online
supports to student learning.
The Technical support team is located in the library for BYOx
support.
Student services in A block provide health and administration
support to students.
The Learning Support team delivers a range of in class
support and help hub
The school offers the Diamond Spirit (girls) and Clontarf
Academy (boys) programs for Indigenous students.
Case management occurs for every student of the school. At
the end of every reporting juncture (Term 1, Sem 1, Sem 2);
Achievement is reviewed;
High achievement and improvement is acknowledged
Effort and behaviour levels are used to determine student engagement.
In an ongoing manner:
- Positive behaviours are recorded and acknowledged;
- Behaviour referrals and consequences are tracked;
- Attendance is monitored daily;
- Referrals to support team occur when issues emerge;
In Senior School in particular:
- Being on track to atting QCE is monitored closely;
- OP/ATAR/IB achievement and performance trajectory is monitored;
- Attainment of VET competencies is tracked by teacher.
Opportunities and extension
Cairns State High offers
an extensive list of sporting, cultural and academic opportunities for students
in class, in the community and as part of the co-curricular program.
Students networking
- Peer Support
- Student Council
- Environment club
- LGBTIQ+ group
- Musical
- Handball
- ‘We can’
- (Hot potatoes, group work, quiz)
- Sport teams
- CAD
- Camps and Exchange
- CISSA/JSS
- Year 10 Informal
- Formal
- Sport carnivals
- Paradise Palms
- Reading club, Rubiks cube,
- Homework club
- Conversation club
- Music performances in the Quad
- 100% attendance activities
- Student Council activities
- Learning activities
Futures and options
Guidance
Officers
- Individual
support for students re university entry.
- Senior
Pathways tracking and programs options
- Connecting
to Universities and the world of work:
- VPG
interviews and Work Experience
- Traineeships and Apprenticeships
- SETP process/interviews
- Certificate courses at school
- BLA Career expo
- Career market
- Subject trials in 7-10
- Guest speakers
Giving feedback
Connect with your preferences
Needs,
values, talents and behaviours
