Parkes High School

As our schools mission statement identifies we are a school community that enjoys a proud history. In a safe, stimulating and diverse environment Parkes High School is passionately committed to providing each student with the opportunities to acquire the skills and values to fulfil their potential and become successful participants in our changing world. This core focus of the school is based on the guiding principles of Innovation, Inspiration and Inclusion. These pursuits are reinforced and achieved through our commitment to the provision of educational experiences that are academic, vocational, sporting, cultural and social. We are focused on the provision of quality teaching and learning experiences, access to technology, provision of alternative curriculum pathways, partnerships with TAFE and local industry, participation in a K to 12 Learning Community, effective programs for transition and Gifted and Talented students including those in the virtual selective high school, maintenance of a strong Peer Tutoring program, commitment to student leadership development, adoption of the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) values to be safe, respectful and responsible, adherence to a student welfare and discipline program built around students being responsible for their own behaviour and collaboration with a supportive community. The school is also committed to offering the widest curriculum possible for students at all stages, maintaining a strong academic emphasis whilst catering for a growing proportion of students who do not undertake tertiary studies. A recognition of the success of our Creative and Performing Arts program is the annual school production which now boasts participation from all public schools within Parkes. Sport also continues to be a strong feature within the curriculum with the school boasting international, national, state and regional representation across multiple sports and many other students achieving to their personal best in both individaul and team pursuits. The diversity of the curriculum offered to our students is supported by established welfare programs that have a strong pastoral care focus including a senior student study program,effective anti-bullying strategies,links with local service providers and support agencies and access to multiple school support personnel. The importance of student welfare is also addressed through the inclusion of motivational speakers and presentation of seminars and individualised programs. The educational opportuniies and experiences for all of our students are diverse and, as a school, we cater for students from across all ability levels including from all mainstream levels to those undertaking a Lifeskills program of study and those requiring access to a special education facility. Equally the school sees itself as an integral part of the wider community and accepts its role in fostering the development of our future citizens and their community conscience through provision of extra curricular activities such as the RFS and SES cadets, participation in the Community Drug Action Team, Rotary driver awareness training, Community Youth Forum and programs in ethics, leadership and citizenship. The school can boast the existence of quality facilities including access to two connected classrooms, a state of the art Language Centre to support the Wiradjuri Language program,industry standard Trade Training Centre for Hospitality and Metals and Engineering, good outdoor sports facilities and a mult-purpose centre.The transformation of our library has also been completed and it is now an information centre for the school, continuing in attempts to support the curriculum with traditional resources and digital technology and forming literacy partnerships in the community with Parkes Shire Library. With our vision being to provide, for all students, an education for life, the school has chosen four priority areas that will underpin the educational success and achievemnet of our students as the focus of the school management plan over the next two years. These areas are: Literacy and Numeracy; Leadership and Improvement, Engagement and Attainment; and,Community Partnerships.