Mount Austin High School

Mount Austin High School is an inclusive, comprehensive public high school with an intense focus on teaching and learning. The school endeavours to give all students equal opportunity to achieve and provides an education enabling students to plan for success in their chosen careers. Sport has proudly played an integral part of the school's history with a plethora of alumni representing Australia in both team and individual pursuits. Senior students undertake a compressed model of HSC delivery completing three discrete HSC subjects in each of their final years of school. The compressed model delivers an innovative and varied senior curriculum catering to a wide range of student interest resulting in high retention rates. The Big Picture Education Academy in Stage 5 and 6 allows students to approach the curriculum through a project-based, learning through internship educational design. A rigorous teacher-coaching program drives the continual development of teaching and learning through regular classroom observations and conferencing with 4 dedicated teacher mentors. Technology is embedded into all facets of the school's learning environment. All classrooms are fitted with interactive smart boards. The Mount Austin High School Moodle is an internationally recognised online learning management system providing student access to coursework 24 hours a day. The Agriculture farm follows sustainable practices with students supplying the school canteen, local supermarket and Wagga Food Bank with fresh farm produce. School membership of the Wagga Food Group supports the improvement of food security in the local community. Science laboratories reflect 21st century standards after recent refurbishment. The school's new Trade Training Centre delivers Cert II in VET Construction and Metals and Engineering while the commercial grade kitchen prepares students for a Cert II in VET Hospitality under the guidance of qualified staff from industry. A cafe adjoins the hospitality kitchen where students share their work readiness skills with the school community. A fully equipped gymnasium is available to students before school and during lunch to improve physical fitness. Cultural pursuits are supported with 2 award winning Hip Hop crews, drum line program, choir and boys' and girls' Aboriginal dance groups which are available to all students. Mount Austin High School proudly supports the education of over 200 Aboriginal students. The Mount Austin Koori Education Team (MAKET) has received national recognition for its activities in promoting Aboriginal student leadership and sharing of culture. The school embeds the "8 Ways" of learning into programs providing all students with a rich cultural understanding of different learning styles. Collaboration with Macquarie University and CSU enables the National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP) to develop the scientific leadership skills of Aboriginal students. A partnership with the University of Canberra and ANU in 2015 delivered tertiary preparation programs for Aboriginal and low SES students through the ACT Indigenous Success program. Aboriginal support staff are highly qualified recently graduating with counselling qualifications. The Mount Austin Clontarf Academy embedded within the school has a complement of four full time staff supporting the program using sport as a vehicle to improve the education, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men. Early morning Clontarf community fitness sessions are followed by breakfast in one of the academy rooms. The Girls at the Centre partnership with The Smith Family provides holistic and intensive support targeting young Aboriginal women to strengthen the social, emotional and educational skills required to fully engage in education and post school study or work. Girls at the Centre has a complement of two full time staff supporting girls from their homeroom within the school. The school has a full time Family Referral Service in Schools worker embedded within the school. Through this partnership with Relationships Australia students and families have immediate access to community support services. Strong links with the Wagga Wagga Local AECG, Aboriginal elders, Wagga City Council and community groups create a collaborative environment that places a high value on academic achievement in a culturally vibrant setting. The school's welfare program follows the Restorative Practices philosophy emphasising the value of positive relationships and self-reflection in building a strong, respectful community through the development of students' communication skills and social and emotional wellbeing.