Teacher English

Description:

Gunnedah High is situated 78 kilometres west of Tamworth in the New England Region of NSW. It is a comprehensive co-educational high school which serves the town as well as the surrounding rural districts bounded by Boggabri, Mullaley and Somerton. The Gunnedah and local area communities are experiencing renewal after a period of economic decline. This is due to the abundant supply of energy, raw materials and open space for manufacturing facilities. It is predicted that this will lead to increased enrolments at Gunnedah High and its partner primary schools in coming years. Gunnedah High School has a student population of 365, 49% of whom identified as Aboriginal. There is a Special Education Unit that consists of four MC classes, one IM class and a Tutorial Centre. Students are offered a variety of pathways, catering for their learning needs and career aspirations, whilst utilising teaching practices and high impact strategies that empower all students to become confident, resilient and successful learners.

Many of our students come from a low socio-economic background and the school attracts significant equity funding to improve the outcomes for those who attend Gunnedah High. Student participation and achievement is encouraged in the academic, cultural and sporting areas of the curriculum and recognised in both the school and local community.

Through our situational analysis, we have identified a need to use data driven practices that ensure all students have access to stage appropriate learning. Further work will need to occur around how teachers can successfully plan for and deliver quality differentiated instruction to students with additional needs, including those identified as high potential and gifted. Through the NAPLAN gap analysis, the school has identified system-negotiated target areas in Reading and Numeracy. Well-being will be a continued focus. Partnerships in learning will bring together students, staff, parents and the community to support equity and excellence in learning.