Built in 1966, this school has a commitment to providing a caring and stimulating learning environment focusing on student participation and success.
Facilities: The school is situated among well-grassed playing areas and has within its boundaries an oval, volleyball, tennis and basketball courts, and an indoor basketball court within the multi-purpose centre. The school also possesses five networked computer rooms and computer-based research facilities linked to the library. Hospitality classes are taught in the well resourced kitchen. The school has been named as a Creative and Performing Arts selective high school and will enrol its first Year 7 students into the program in 2012. The school has also recently introduced a Gifted and Talented Creative and Performing Arts program for a targeted Year 7 class.
Electives Years 7 to 10: The elective offerings for the School Certificate are broad and include Music, Drama, Commerce, Wood Technology, Metal Technics, Graphics Technology, Physical Activity and Sports Studies, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Information Software and Technology, and Dance. All students from Years 7 to 10 study English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, and PD/Health/PE.
Electives Years 11 and 12: A full range of subjects is offered to support individual pathways and patterns of study. The emphasis is on choosing subjects that best meet students’ interests, abilities and career options. Patterns of study include vocational courses e.g. construction, hospitality, entertainment and business services leading to dual accreditation, and extension courses that support further study at the tertiary level.
Sport: The sport program is closely linked to the physical education and health courses and is integrated into the school’s teaching program in Years 7, 8 and 9. Sport is supervised by teachers who have particular expertise in the many games included in the sports program. Competitive sport is provided for students in Years 10–12 and by entry into state knockout competitions in a wide variety of games and by the traditional annual carnivals of swimming, cross-country and athletics. Students have access to representative teams at school, zone and state level.
Extracurricular activities: These are diverse and extensive and include participation in debating, public speaking, outdoor recreation, drama and musical productions, enhancement classes and school magazine production.
Welfare and personal development: Years 7 and 8 teachers are grouped which allow for a stronger rapport between students and teachers, and more opportunity to discuss welfare and curriculum issues. In addition, Year 7 and 8 classes are enrolled in a subject which focus on developing specific study skills and organisational skills to assist students in better managing their learning.
English-as-a-second-language teachers and learning difficulties teachers provide specialist support for those students experiencing language and learning difficulties. Years 7 and 8 students participate in an intensive literacy and numeracy program. Literacy and numeracy development is co-ordinated throughout the school by the school’s literacy and numeracy committee. Student welfare programs are co-ordinated by the school’s welfare committee, consisting of specialist welfare personnel, including the school counsellor and teachers with designated welfare roles (Year advisers and their assistants). These programs include peer support for Year 7 students by the students of Year 11, peer mediation, where students are provided with an opportunity to develop their conflict-resolution skills, rock and water, where students learn the skills of resilience and self-confidence, a merit program in which exemplary student work is recognised and student leadership fostered through membership of the SRC. Other student welfare programs are provided through the school’s strong links with community agencies such as Granville Youth Centre, the Australian Business and Community Network, Football United, plus many more. These agencies provide assistance for students at risk with programs such as “connecting at school”, homework centres and intensive student and family support where required.
Special features: Granville South High School incorporates a support unit for students with special educational needs from Years 7 to 12, offering exemplary transition programs to its students. It is a comprehensive co-educational high school focusing on student participation and success.
The school runs a very successful Norta Norta program as well as weekly HSC tutorial programs. Community involvement is strong with the school employing three Community Liaison Officers who work directly with parents/carers, students, staff and other community groups.
The school has developed an effective “Community of Schools” with its partner primary schools with weekly programs between the schools with a focus on developing student numeracy and literacy outcomes and professional growth for staff.