Jamison High places emphasis on each student striving for his/her personal best and offers a rich, varied and wide-ranging curriculum within a comprehensive framework. Its modern buildings are set in extensive grounds. Jamison High School was a centre of excellence in music (1993–1995) and a centre of excellence in English (1990–1992). The school won the Director General’s Award for its student welfare program and has gained national recognition for its anti-bullying policy.
In 2009 a $2 million trade school facility incorporating a joint training venture with TAFE and the University of Western Sydney in Nursing and Health Care Training was opened. There is parental and community participation through the P&C and extensive contact with community organisations.
Facilities: Include computerised library resource centre with extensive resources in print and non-print formats, oval, hall/gymnasium, basketball court, music keyboard laboratory, careers centre, agriculture plot, photography darkroom, fully equipped kitchen for food technology, textiles and design, woodwork and metalwork, art, dance studio, science, music, and CAD drawing.
There are seven specialist computer rooms and further computers and interactive whiteboards in faculties, classrooms and the school library resource centre. The school-wide network has internet access and includes access to networked software applications. The addition of interactive whiteboard technology and connected classrooms are recent additions to the technological and digital resources of the school. Technology is viewed as a valuable tool to be used across and integrated with the curriculum.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Agriculture, Commerce, Computing Studies, Dance, Drama, Design and Technology, Food Technology, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Metal Technics, Music, Music (Instrumental), Music (Keyboard), Photography, Textiles, Graphics Technology, Visual Arts, Wood Technics, Engineering Technology, Visual Design.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Agriculture, Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Ceramics, Chemistry, Community and Family Studies, Computing Applications, Drama, Design and Technology, Economics, Engineering Science, English, Exploring Childhood, French, Food Technology, Geography, German, Hospitality, Illustration and Design, Industrial Technology — Wood, Information Processes and Technology, Japanese, Language and Tourism, Legal Studies, Modern History, Mathematics, Music, PD/Health/PE, Physics, Senior Science, Society and Culture, Software Design and Development, Sport, Lifestyle and Recreational Studies, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts, Business Services (VET), Office Administration (VET), Construction (VET), Hospitality (VET), Information Technology (VET), Metal and Engineering (VET), Primary Industry (VET), Retail. TVET courses are also available. TAFE courses in Nursing and related health courses are available through our trade school facility.
Sport: Basketball, cricket, hockey, rugby league, soccer, rugby union, softball, tennis, touch football, netball, Australian Rules, tumbling, diving, swimming, cross-country, athletics, climbing, beach volleyball, weight training, skating, aqua golf, tenpin bowling, aerobics, indoor soccer, cable skiing, rowing, trampolining. The school has integrated sport and also participates in many state-wide knockout competitions. Jamison High students have been national, regional and zone sports champions.
Extracurricular activities: Debating, senior concert band, stage band, chamber ensembles, vocal ensemble, chess club, major musical production, dance, drama, Tournament of Minds, Mock Trial, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, internet club, mathematics competition, science competition, work experience, cross-country club, school newspaper, self-protection courses, support for charities. The SRC and associated committees including the anti-bullying committee, offer leadership development opportunities.
Welfare and personal development: The student welfare policy offers rewards for achievement and effort, and support to all students through a school-wide code of conduct that has been developed collaboratively. The school has incorporated the Positive Behaviour and Learning (PBL) Program into its approach to student welfare and this is supported by a network-based student welfare database. There are special programs for gifted and talented students and for those with learning difficulties and physical disabilities. The school is wheelchair-accessible. Active welfare programs include peer support, peer tutoring, peer mediation, school welcomers, academic mentoring, gender equity, and an anti-bullying committee. Jamison High was one of four Australian schools selected to present its STAR welfare programs to representatives of an OECD team as part of their international three-year study.