Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus
Student Support Structures
Sydney Secondary College provides excellent public education based on
Quality Opportunity and Diversity.
At Blackwattle Bay Campus we work in partnership with students and
parents in a young adult learning and working environment. At Blackwattle
Bay Campus we have the expectation that all students have made a
positive decision to embark on HSC studies. Our goal is for all students to
graduate with the best possible HSC for each individual. Not all students
find the journey easy and all students need assistance at some point, so
we have in place some important support structures to assist all students
in achieving their personal best.
These structures have proven to be most successful. We are proud of our
students and their achievements in diverse areas of the curriculum.
There are many people who can assist students:
 Class teachers: all students should approach their class teacher if
there are any issues relating to that subject. Blackwattle Bay
Campus staff are approachable and willing to assist students to
give them that little bit extra individual support. It is important
that students talk to their class teachers before any problems
escalate. Parents are able to contact individual class teachers if
they have matters to discuss.
 Mentor Teachers: all students have a mentor teacher who conducts
a mentoring session each week. These teachers are usually one of a
student’s class teachers. Mentors are usually assigned to students
for the whole two years at Blackwattle Bay. The mentor teacher is
someone who will get to know their students very well over the
course of the HSC program. They take a special interest in their
students, monitor their progress and celebrate their successes.
Students need to take the time to get to know their mentor
teacher. They are a very important part of the young adult learning
environment as they have a crucial role in assisting students to
develop as independent learners. Parents are encouraged to contact
the student’s mentor teacher to get feedback on general progress
and to discuss any matters of importance.
 Year Advisers: there are two Year Advisers for Year 11 2010 –
Oonagh McGarrity (Ext 147) and Liam Birchall (Ext 149). They have
overall responsibility for Year 11 student welfare. Students are
encouraged to make contact with their Year Advisers if there are
matters that concern them. Parents, also, should contact the year
Advisers if they wish to discuss matters relating to student
welfare. Year Advisers are also able to assist with feedback across
the board as they are able to coordinate information across all
KLAs.
 Head Teachers: Head teachers are an important point of contact
for parents and students in individual subject areas. Contact with
the Head Teacher is particularly important in matters relating to
Assessment Tasks and Board of Studies “N” Award Warning
letters.
 School Counsellor: the School Counsellor, Kathy Hooper (ext 119), is
available for all students to discuss confidential matters, matters
of a personal nature or anything that is concerning them. She is
able to assist students to seek solutions both within and outside
the structures of the school. Parents are encouraged to contact
Kathy if there are matters they wish to discuss. We are fortunate
to have a School Counsellor who is highly experienced, well
respected and highly professional.
 Learning Coaches: Approximately 30 students have been selected
to participate in this program based on their results in the School
Certificate in 2010. The program aims at fostering a supportive
relationship between each student and the Learning Coach. The
Learning Coach will take a special interest in the student, meet
with the student regularly and support the student to be a
successful HSC student. Important in this process is goal setting
and the development of good learning habits. The Careers Adviser,
Bridget Cleaver, has a strong role in this program and will be
meeting with each student individually.
 Careers Adviser: Bridget Cleaver (ext 120) is available to all
students at Blackwattle Bay Campus. In addition to organised
careers initiatives, Ms Cleaver is available for individual
appointments to meet with students and parents. It is important
that all students set goals and Ms Cleaver’s advice can be
instrumental in assisting students to see the possibilities in the
areas that interest them.
 Learning Support Team: The role of the Learning Support Team is
to identify areas of individual student need in relation to learning
and achieving HSC goals. The team has a role across the whole
school and coordinates support structures and strategies,
establishing individual learning plans for students. Students and
parents should contact the deputy Principal Ms Connor to discuss
matters of special need.
 ESL support staff: the ESL support staff, Ms Lee Ann Hellner and
Ms Erin Dib provide assistance for students from a language
background other than English. In addition to teaching the HSC
ESL course, the ESL teachers work in a team teaching program
across all KLAs. Ms Hellner has a special role in supporting
international students. Students who are experiencing difficulty in
their subjects because of English language problems should contact
the ESL teachers for assistance. Parents are encouraged to
contact the ESL teachers if they wish to discuss matters relating
to their son or daughter’s need for support with English across
their subjects.
Student Learning Improvement System
Students who are identified as struggling with the necessary commitment
in any subject are closely monitored through the system of Learning
Improvement Cards familiar from our 7-10 campuses. Although these
cards look similar, they are utilised in a very different manner at
Blackwattle Bay. At the senior campus a greater focus rests on students
taking responsibility for their learning outcomes and maintaining focus on
their goals.
Tutorial Centre
Students at Blackwattle Bay Campus are fortunate to have access to the
Tutorial Centre. The Tutorial Centre is staffed by specially chosen
teachers and is open on Monday and Wednesday each week and Friday of
week A. All students have the opportunity to access the Tutorial Centre.
The Tutorial Centre staff can assist with matters of organisation and
time management, approaching assessment tasks, essay writing, research
skills, for example. In fact, students can seek assistance in any matters
relating to their studies.
Students are referred to the Tutorial Centre in a number of ways.
by making their own appointment
referral by one of their class teachers
referral by the Year Adviser, DP or Principal
Parents who think their son/daughter would benefit from time with the
Tutorial Centre teachers should contact the Year Adviser to discuss the
matter.
Student Review Panel
Students who are invited for interview following the Progress Reviews will
discuss the matters raised with the Student Review Panel. Parents, too,
are invited to these discussions. The panel will make recommendations to
assist the student to overcome the difficulties identified by the review
process and to make decisions about their future. The composition of the
Student Review Panel will differ because of different student
circumstances. It will usually consist of the Principal or Deputy Principal,
Year Adviser and either the School Counsellor or Careers Adviser. Other
staff can be invited to be part of the panel in certain circumstances. The
Student Review Panel meets at any time the Principal deems appropriate.
COMMUNICATION
 Informal Progress Review in Week 6/7 term 1 – letters sent
between 14-18March.
 Formal Report and Parent Teacher night Week 7 term 2, 7 June
 Final exams last two weeks Term 3 – reports and Parent Teacher
night Week 3 Term 4.
 Campus Newsletter each month (usually week 2)
 College Newsletter each term
 College and campus websites- www.sydneysecondary.nsw.edu.au
 P&C meeting 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm
 Letters to parents re specific issues
 Contact from Year Advisers, Mentor Teacher, School Counsellor,
teaching staff
COMMUNICATION WITH THE SCHOOL
 In writing- address all correspondence to the Principal
 In person – ring to make an appointment to see the Principal or
other staff members