Faculty - Silicon Valley High

Western State High School
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Excellence in education for boys and girls from Year 8

Silicon Valley High offers secondary education for students from Year 8. There are no selection procedures - students are accepted in the order in which they are enrolled - however the School reserves the right to make special consideration in certain circumstances (such as interstate and overseas transfers). A number of scholarships and bursaries are available each year for students who are entering at Year 8. Scholarships are awarded upon an interview with the Principal and on the basis of academic merit - as demonstrated through performance in an examination set and marked by the Australian Council for Educational Research.

This examination is designed to ensure that differences in standards and educational experiences will not necessarily affect students' results. Bursaries also take into account financial need or other special hardship.

A diverse and innovative academic programme

Western's academic programme is intended to provide a well-rounded education for boys and girls, most of whom will proceed to further study after completion of Year 12. In recent years, around 5% of seniors have received a first-round offer to a tertiary institution. The broad general education which boys receive at WSHS gives them the knowledge and skills to move to a vocationally specific course upon leaving school. More broadly, students are taught competencies in literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and communication.

Junior studies

In the junior courses of Years 8 to 10, boys and girls study a set of courses which are highly compatible with the Key Learning Areas of the national curriculum. For details, please see the insert at the back of this prospectus.

Senior studies

For their two years of senior secondary studies - Years 11 and 12 - students may select a course of study from a wide range of subjects which are designed and moderated by the State's Board of Senior Secondary School Studies. Students will normally study six BSSSS subjects for a total of four semesters.

All seniors are required to study English and at least one of the three mathematics courses. In the interests of students maintaining a liberal academic education to the end of secondary schooling, we discourage the study of totally maths/science-oriented or totally humanities-oriented courses.

First class facilities

As befits a school which places the highest priority on learning, Silicon Valley High has outstanding learning and teaching facilities. Apart from ample general classroom and other teaching spaces, the School has a louvred, lit library which accommodates 20 readers and around 100 books and other reference resources.

Specialist learning facilities include well-equipped science laboratories and four computers. Additional computer stations within various subject areas share a cable with the main computer. The School has its own connection to the Internet. Language teaching and learning are enhanced through computer and audio stations.

A spacious music building with an airy practice room and a rehearsal hallway provides the ideal environment for music, and is also the setting for a painting. Similarly spacious and well-equipped facilities exist for art and photography.

The classroom accommodates the entire school for weekly assemblies. Its hallway can accommodate a Year group for lectures and other large meetings.

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Email us or phone (07) 3339 8765 for more information