Aboriginal Centre

The Aboriginal Centre, Bagu Warrgarnda Jimbin,  is a base for varied programmes such as the nutrition programme and Broome Attendance Committee Action Group (BACAG) as well as a meeting place for parents and community members.  The aim of the centre is to improve our students’ attendance and participation by providing a warm environment in which students and their families feel welcome and comfortable to attend capacity building workshops, school and community meetings or to simply have a chat and a cuppa.

Assemblies

Formal assemblies are held twice per term and are conducted by the Student Council.  Parents are strongly encouraged to attend and be seen to be involved in their child’s education. These are fantastic events that are run by students to celebrate student achievement. Students perform music and dance items, and merit certificates and special awards are presented to individual students. The schedule of assemblies is distributed at the start of each term in the first newsletter.

Attendance

By law, students must attend school until the end of the year in which they turn 16, although this law will change in the next few years to make the leaving age 17. Education Department regulations also require every absence from school to be covered by an explanation (parents may either write a note, email, text message or phone).  Students are requested to  bring a note from parents/guardian or a medical certificate either before their absence, in the case of appointments etc, or on the day they return to school following an illness.

No student is to leave the school during school hours without the permission of an Administrator. Attendance is checked every period throughout the school day. Letters are sent home weekly notifying caregivers of unexplained absences. Please contact the school upon receiving a letter to provide an explanation for any absences.

It is important for each student to accept the responsibility to arrive at school on time each day. It is strongly recommended that students arrive at school by 7.45am each day so they are ready for the commencement of period 1 at 7.53am. Student detentions may be conducted where necessary for students who are regularly late to school

Behaviour Code

School rules are based on Rights and Responsibilities pertaining to all members of the school community.  Students will be familiar with the specific rules.  Parents will be contacted in the eventuality of serious misbehaviour.  Broome Senior High School has developed a whole school approach to Behaviour Management in Schools (BMiS).  The system aims to develop positive, respectful relationships between teachers and students and concepts of self worth, self discipline and respect for others.

The Rights and Responsibilities at Broome Senior High School are:

See Appendix 1 and 2 for more information on the Behaviour Code and Bullying & Harassment Policy.

Bicycles

Bicycles should be placed in the bike compound and secured with a suitable chain and lock.  Students should fasten bicycle helmets to their bike.  The compound is locked at the start of the day and only unlocked again on the final siren. A box is also placed in the bicycle compound to allow students to store skateboards for the day. Students needing to leave during the day will have to see an Administrator to have the compound opened. Please Note: Students should follow the law by wearing bicycle helmets.

Bus Service

The school is serviced by two rural school buses.  These service:

• Roebuck Plains
• Coconut Wells

The school is also serviced by three town buses. These service:

• Cable Beach and Broome
• Sunset Park, Sunset Rise and Roebuck

Enquiries should be directed to the Principal, Gary Downsborough, or Broome School Bus Service Phone 9192 1476 or Mobile 0427 091 092.

Canteen

The school has a canteen on site. The Canteen is run by the Parents & Citizens association (P&C) who appoint a manager and staff it with parent volunteers.

• Food is sold at a low cost and funds go into the school for facilities and resources for the students.
• All food meets nutritional standards. Everything sold at the canteen is on the StarCAP (Star Canteen Accreditation Program) recommended list. Accreditation is pending.
• Recess and lunch orders must be made at the canteen BEFORE 7.53am or, in emergencies, at recess. All students are encouraged to order foods rather than queueing up.
• A menu and price list will be given to parents and students at the beginning of the year.
• Students are able to purchase food and drinks before school, recess and at lunchtime.
• Students who bring their own lunch may take it to the canteen before school to be kept in the cool room.

Community Contacts

Broome Youth Support Group (Drop-In Centre)............................. 9193 6559
Burdekin Youth in Action........................................................... 9193 6391
Catherine House....................................................................... 9192 1026
Broome Circle House................................................................ 9193 6425
Department for Child Protection.................................................. 9192 1317
Hospital................................................................................... 9194 9222
Juvenile Justice......................................................................... 9192 1704
Kids Helpline                                                                         1800 551 800
Kullarri Patrol........................................................................ 0415 806 100
Police...................................................................................... 9194 0200
Women’s Refuge...................................................................... 9193 6146

Cyclone Procedures

Schools will close on the yellow alert of a cyclone on the advice of the Police and SES Coordinator.  If this is issued before children come to school then please listen to the local ABC radio station to ensure that the school will actually be closed.  The ABC will broadcast information about the closure of schools in the Broome area.  Cyclone Season Preparation Cards are available to parents and new residents at the SES office and Broome Shire Council. If you are at all concerned for your child’s safety, you should take whatever you believe is the most appropriate course of action. Please notify the school if your choice is to keep your child away from school while the school is still open.

Daily Timetable

Period times are:-

                                                                       
Note: On Tuesdays we close early to allow all staff to attend meetings to develop the quality of teaching and learning programs. Other periods during the week are extended to make sure your child still receives their full 1600 minutes of instruction time.

Dental Clinic

A mobile dental clinic offers free dental care for all children from the year they turn 5 until Year 11.  Dental enrolment forms are issued by the clinic to new students of Kindy age to Year 7.  Parents of new high school students need to contact the clinic and request enrolment.

The clinic has three locations:  Broome, Cable Beach and St Mary’s Primary Schools.  For the current  location, please contact your school.  The clinic operates during school terms only.

History of Broome SHS

1990 was the inaugural year of Broome High School after Broome District High School was divided into its primary and secondary components.  In January 1994, the school was upgraded to Senior High School status.  This has enabled the school to offer more opportunities for students in Year 11 and 12 as well as providing a wide range of courses from Year 8 to Year 10.

The school logo is a stylised representation of the famous Broome “Staircase to the Moon”, a phenomenon created by the coincidence of an extremely low tide and a full moon over Roebuck Bay.  The colours were chosen by students in 1990 and the artwork was donated by noted Broome artist Mary Kirby.  The logo which appears on the school uniform symbolises the purpose of education in the progression along a pathway to achieve a goal.

Homework Policy

Rationale
This school recognises that regular homestudy is an integral part of the learning process.

Purpose
Homestudy -

• Promotes self discipline and skills in time management, study habits and organisation.
• Promotes independence and responsibility for learning.
• Encourages resourcefulness and fosters perseverance.
• Reinforces work covered at school.
• Allows for the completion of class work.

Guidelines
Homestudy includes:

• completion of class work
•     daily review of work completed
• completion of assigned work
• reading
• preparation for tests
• preparation for the next day

The recommended time committed to home study is:
Year 8                       1             hour per night                       5 -  6 hours per week
Year 9                        1 ½        hours per night                      8 -10 hours per week
Year 10                      2            hours per night                     10 -12 hours per week
Year 11/12                 2 ½ - 3   hours per night                      15 -18 hours per week

Each student should keep a home study diary – everyone is given one to begin the year.
Parents are encourages to monitor and sign diaries each week.

Assigned work will be monitored by staff.
Homestudy organisation and planning will be discussed with all students early in the year. Students should have regular homestudy times.
Deadlines for assigned work will be clearly established. These deadlines are set to be fair on all students and to teach your child that in life there are deadlines which need to be met and they need to plan their lives to meet them.

House System

When enrolling at the school, your child will be allocated a House.  There are four Houses – Miller, Riddell, Dampier and Durack – named after prominent explorers or personalities in the history of the Kimberley.

The House system forms the basis of pastoral care throughout the school with students daily attending 20
minutes of a form class which is made up of other students in their year group and House, eg Miller 8.
The associated colours are:
Miller                -           Blue
Riddell  -           Red
Dampier            -           White
Durack  -           Green (dark)

Leaving School Grounds

Your child is not to leave the school during school hours without permission of an Administrator.

If your child needs to leave the school grounds during the day, for example to attend a dentist appointment, they must provide a parent note to this effect to an Administrator.  The student will then be issued with a pass.  Your child is not permitted to go to the shops during the school day.

Parents and Citizens Association

The Parents and Citizens (P&C) meetings are held twice each term on a Wednesday night, dates as set by the P&C at the beginning of the year. Dates and times are included in newsletters and the term calendar. Meetings are held in the staff conference room at 6.00 pm.  In the past year we have had a good roll up of parents and the P&C is going from strength to strength. All parents are encouraged to attend. 

Parent Involvement

Overwhelming evidence supports that success of students at school is greatly assisted where there is a positive partnership between parents and teachers. The staff are very keen to involve parents in school life as much as possible.  You are very welcome to attend school assemblies and other functions.

We encourage interaction with your child’s teachers.  Please feel welcome to seek progress reports on a regular basis.The greatest assistance you can give your student from home is to show an active interest in their school work.  Early in the year we will inform you when you can expect reports to come home.  Check that the reports make it home and take time to discuss their content with your student.  Attend parent nights and portfolio evenings.

More importantly, have some influence over the preparation of your student’s portfolio.  Students will complete normal day to day class work in a file.  This should contain notes, homework, experiments, textbook work and so on.  The portfolio is not a showcase of class work; it is to allow the student to demonstrate that they have developed a variety of skills in the Learning area.  Some of the skills will be of a practical nature, others will be cognitive and knowledge skills. 

Finally, if in doubt, please contact us.  We welcome opportunities to speak with you about the progress of your child. Our planned reporting process is a portfolio night in Term 3 and two formal reports in Terms 2 and 4.

Parent Student Partnership Initiative

The school has an active Parent Student Partnership Initiative (PSPI) group.  This is a group of parents which assists the school in developing projects and acquiring resources to encourage Aboriginal parents to participate in their children’s education.  In addition, the group will develop plans and apply for funding which will  assist in conducting programs which will enhance the achievement of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students in the school.  At a whole school level the group promotes understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal heritage and culture.  The school Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers (AIEOs) are able to give more information on the workings of the PSPI group.

Parking - Please refer to the map

All visitors to the school must park in the visitors bays near the Administration block and report to the front office. Year 12 students wishing to drive their vehicles to school must see the Upper School Manager for student parking arrangements.

Parents setting down and picking up students are requested to do so at the western end of the school adjacent to the basketball courts.  For safety reasons associated with the bus turnaround area, during the hours of 7.15 - 8.00am and 2.00 - 2.45pm, the main gate is only open to buses, staff vehicles and visitors to the Administration block.

Reports

Broome Senior High School assesses students according to Student Outcome Statements.  Parents will receive two annual reports stating the level students have attained in each aspect of each Learning Area.  In addition to this, reporting to parents occurs through:

• Written progress reports
• Telephone interviews
• Portfolios (Portfolio Night Term 3)
• Assignment covers
• Parent evenings

Parents are consulted regularly through the P & C, School Council, PSPI and AIEO liaison, and direct individual contact with the school is encouraged.
Parents are welcome to request a progress report at any time.

School Council

Broome Senior High School has an active School Council that meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month in the Staff Conference Room.  The Council consists of five elected parent representatives, three elected staff representatives, the Shire Council Education delegate, a representative of the P&C,  a representative from PSPI and the Principal, as an ex officio member.

The role of the Council is to:

• Establish and review the school’s purpose and performance indicators.
• Represent the educational needs and aspirations of students, teachers, parents and community.
• Promote the school in the community.
• Take part in formulating codes of conduct for students.
• Monitor the allocation of financial and human resources.
• Determine a dress code for students.
• Review school contributions and charges.
• Determine the school priority areas in consultation with staff.
• Provide advice on the implementation of special religious education and activities within the school.

Families are invited to contact the relevant council members.  The name and phone numbers can be obtained by ringing the school.  Expressions of interest for positions on the Council should be directed to the Principal.

Skateboards

Although not prohibited by police as a form of transport, students are not permitted to ride skateboards on school property and must secure them in the bicycle compound during school hours.  There is a special box in the bicycle compound for the storing of skateboards.
Problems in the past have meant skateboards will be confiscated unless they are in the compound. Please note that we recommend students wear helmets when riding skateboards to and from school.

Student Services Team

In addition to support provided by form teachers, Heads of Learning Areas, classroom teachers and Year Coordinators, the following people are employed and operate in conjunction with the Principal and Deputies as the Student Services Team. 

Upper School Manager
Overall responsibility for the Year 10 to 12 students’ attendance, behaviour, educational programs and welfare.

Middle School Manager
Overall responsibility for the Year 8 and 9 students’ attendance, behaviour,           educational programs and welfare.

Upper School Leader and Careers Advisor
The Upper School Leader and Careers Advisor is involved with counselling students in careers and subject selections, assisting the delivery of the vocational education program and helping students to cope with transition from Year 10 to Year 11 studies. The Careers Advisor also coordinates community links, work experience programs and student development.

Middle School Leader
The Middle School Leader is involved in counselling and coordinating pastoral care for students in Years 8 and 9.  They also coordinate the middle schooling team of teachers to make sure the different learning areas use similar themes. They also coordinate the Year 7 to Year 8 transition.

School Nurse
Our school nurse is available on a part time basis to promote and maintain the health of students.  Please ensure the nurse has knowledge of any special illness or disability and ring the school for an appointment to discuss any serious health problems of your child.  The medical centre is located in the main administration block.  Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Tetanus immunisations should be completed prior to high school entry. 

Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers
The AIEOs have a very intensive and varied role within the school. Some of the areas in which the AIEOs focus are: working with students in the classroom, assisting teachers to develop Individual Education Plans, implementing re-entry programmes, home liaison, presenting at capacity building workshops, taking part in PSPI meetings and helping to develop and run Broome Attendance Committee Action Group (BACAG) in order to get more of our students to school.  

School Psychologist
We have a contact school psychologist (based at the Kimberley Districft Education Office) and servicing Broome Senior High School on a part time basis. The school psychologist is available to support students, staff and caregivers in the broad areas of learning, behaviour management, transition and social / emotional concerns. All contact with the school psychologist is treated confidentially.

School Chaplain
The school chaplain is available to the whole school community as a friend and listener and will assist students with peer pressure and bullying concerns, as well as general life skills. The school chaplain is available to support students and staff in everyday activities.

Term Dates

The term dates for students change every year but can be found by clicking on the following link:
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/Termdates/

Uniform / School Dress Code

The school colours are jade and black.  The uniform is:

Girls
Broome SHS polo shirt (jade for Years 8-10, royal blue or white for Years 11&12) and black or navy blue shorts/skirts. 

Boys
Broome SHS polo shirt (jade for Years 8-10, royal blue or white for Years 11&12) and black or navy blue  shorts.

The Broome Senior High School polo shirts can be purchased from the school at a cost of $22 each (incl GST). If you arrive at school without a shirt with a good reason please see the relevant Year Coordinator to borrow one for the day.

Physical Education
There are t-shirts in house colours available for sale from the front office for $10 each (incl GST).  Students are encouraged to purchase these for physical education classes, where there is a requirement for a change of clothes and a towel for showering.

Footwear
Closed in shoes are essential for Industrial Arts, Science, Food & Technology and some Physical Education classes, therefore all students are requested to wear them at all times. If you have a problem meeting this requirement please see the relevant Year Leader.

Hats
Students are encouraged to wear them at all times, except in the classroom.  This requirement may vary in different subjects.

We strongly  encourage the wearing of school uniform and parents support this.  The uniform is attractive, serviceable and economical and we believe that in wearing it, students develop more pride in themselves and their school.  Student dress must comply with accepted standards of health, cleanliness, modesty and safety.  T-shirts with writing (and particularly those with drug related messages), bike pants, sleeveless shirts and singlets are not acceptable.  Denim is not permitted in any WA government school. Any deviation from the uniform should be accompanied by a note of explanation from the parent/guardian.  Students not appropriately dressed may be sent home to change.

Valuables

We recommend that valuables of any kind should not be brought to school. If valuables are brought to school, they are the responsibility of the owner and should be kept with you at all times.

If you choose to bring a mobile phone or a compact music player (eg, Ipod, etc) to school, then they are your responsibility and should be out of sight and turned off from the commencement of the school day to the start of recess, then from the end of recess to the start of lunch and again from the end of lunch until the end of the school day.

Mobile phones or compact music players will need to be handed to a staff member if seen during these times. The item will be returned either at the end of the lesson or the end of the school day. It is the student’s responsibility to see the teacher about the return of the item.