Situated within Bundaberg’s coastal strip, Kepnock State High School offers a comprehensive curriculum that caters for the full range of students including those with tertiary aspirations, vocational training needs and general personal and employability skills and development.
The school’s vision for ‘a creative, confident and resilient community of learners prepared for the future’, recognises that, while students’ needs are diverse, they all need the ability to deal with new and changing situations. Hence, learning opportunities are tailored to address these varying needs.
The school’s core values are direct but significant: Learning, Responsibility and Respect. Accepting opportunities to learn and working to the best of one’s ability at all times is a great foundation for the future. The values around respect and responsibility are cornerstones for how students view themselves and others in the school and wider community. Kepnock State High School’s unique PE@K (Positive Experiences at Kepnock) program builds on these core values to ensure students develop the personal and social skills necessary to be productive and supportive citizens of the world.
The school’s motto ‘Success is Earned’ is reflected in its belief that every child can achieve success. Through respectful and supportive relationships between parents, teachers and students, every child is encouraged to be the very best they can be.
Subjects/Electives Years 8 to 10: In Junior Secondary the emphasis is on core teachers working with Year 8 and 9 students. The Academic Challenge and Excellence (ACE) program provides extension and acceleration for academically able students in English, Mathematics, Science and Music. Entry to this program is through individual application at the time of enrolment. Each year, the Kepnock High P&C sponsors bursaries for four Year 8 students in the areas of Academics, Sport and Culture.
Subjects/Electives Years 11 and 12: In the Senior School, Kepnock offers a wide range of courses, including 30 Authority (OP) subjects, 10 Authority- registered subjects and 13 nationally accredited Certificate I, II and III courses. Students may choose a university (OP) pathway; a vocational pathway, or a combination of the two. In addition, the school encourages students to seek out school-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships to round-out their education and training and enhance their employment prospects.
Welfare and personal development: Student Services Department, Guidance Officer, two School Chaplains, daily Breakfast Club, school-based Police Officer, school-based Health Nurse.
Special features: Kepnock High is a Gateway School in Agribusiness and the only state school in Bundaberg to offer training in the Agricultural Sciences and Rural Operations. As an eLearning Accredited School and a Microsoft Academy School, the staff are strongly encouraged to embed digital technologies in their teaching and learning, enhancing students’ engagement with their studies. The optional take-home laptop program ensures participating students have seamless access to their learning 24/7.