Rooty Hill High School

Rooty Hill High School is an award winning, comprehensive secondary 7 to 12 community school in western Sydney committed to excellence in learning, leadership and achievement. In 2016 Rooty Hill HS was chosen as one of the 40 most Innovative Schools in Australia by Educator Magazine and the school is recognised as a Social Ventures Australia Powerhouse School. As a school based in a rapidly changing ethnically and socially diverse community we have a moral contract to give each of our 1125 students the opportunity to do his or her best. Over the last five years students have made steady improvement in academic performance reflecting the school's commitment to knowing and developing the talents of each student through personalised learning designed to increase the learning trajectory of each student.  Significant numbers of students participate in extracurricular programs in the creative and performing arts, leadership programs, technology and sport. In 2016, the school's performance in Science was recognised in the USyd STEM project and in the Year 10 VALID Science assessment resiults. The purpose of the current school plan is to increase the expectations, capacity and achievements of students, staff and the community through a capability driven curriculum, personalised learning, high quality professional practice and strategic partnerships. The school's commitment to ongoing review  based on detailed analysis of data has created a culture of evidence based decision making and innovation. Significant focus programs include programs in BYOD, digital portfolios, assessment and tracking of capabilities and teacher professional practice. The school has an AFL Indigenous Academy, a focus on 21st century Asia Literacy and the teaching of Mandarin through our Chinese government sponsored Confucius Classroom program. There are strong relationships with partner primary schools. All our work is built on a strong culture of personal responsibility where the 7 core values of the school, based on the letters of the school's motto (PERSIST) guide our policies, programs and practices. PERSIST for us means participation, excellence, respect and responsibility, success, innovation, safety, teamwork and leadership.