Strathfield South High School

Welcome to Strathfield South High School, where we are focused on developing our students as learners and as people. In order to achieve this, we have strong educational and welfare programs in place which provide our students with the confidence and opportunities they need to achieve their best possible outcomes. With students coming from almost 50 different countries, representing all of the world's major religions and over 60 different language backgrounds, as well as students with Hearing Impairment and Autism, we are proud of our harmonious, peaceful, accepting environment. This is all supported by an experienced, talented teaching staff who are genuinely committed to helping our students achieve their best in all aspects of their school experience, including the running of a Breakfast Club in the mornings, providing after-school Homework Tuition, and volunteering in an afternoon Drop-In Centre. Academically, we are proud of the ways in which the school is able to add value to the learning and achievements of all of our students, and we also provide extensive support to students who seek to complete their education and training through Vocational Education, Work Placement and Life Skills courses. The school has developed strong and unique relationships with a number of universities to promote high student achievement and to transition them into the world of Higher Education. Our Senior students are supported in Years 11 and 12 through our Compressed Curriculum model, which allows students to study three subjects at a time over the course of twelve months, while still attaining a Higher School Certificate in two years. This model also allows us to deliver a far greater range of subjects to our students, who are able to tailor their learning according to their own unique strengths, interests and abilities. Students report that this model allows them to achieve more strongly in a less stressful environment where they can get to know their teachers and the curriculum in greater depth. The school implemented a Middle School model in 2016 in order to better support new Year 7 students into high school. This structure organises classes and curriculum in Year 7 and 8 into a model of delivery which students are familiar with from Primary School, taking much of the stress out of transitioning into High School. Students have a home room and far fewer teachers than they do in other high school settings. In 2017, all Year 7 and 8 students became part of the Middle School, and this model enabled us to implement a targeted Enrichment class, for 2019, to address the higher learning needs of more able students while supporting and nurturing the learning of students who find school work to be more challenging. Our school runs award-winning extracurricular programs in solar car racing and technology, and we have received recognition from the White House and from US Secretary of State John Kerry for our environmental and sustainable energy education projects. In October 2015, we became Australian National Solar Car champions for the second year running, having been NSW state champions three times. Every second year we participate in partnership with the University of Western Sydney in the World Solar Challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide, giving a team of our students an incredible, world-class opportunity to compete and learn at an elite level. Our students also experience direct community involvement through two award-winning outreach programs: one in which students help senior citizens to become familiar with modern technology; and the other where our students work in two Early Childhood settings as educational assistants. At Strathfield South High School we support the whole individual by addressing not only their learning needs, but their welfare, social and interpersonal development too, preparing our students to take leading roles in the society of the future. We are proud of our school and its caring student-focused environment. You are very welcome to come and learn with us.