VET – or vocational education and training – engages student in work related learning. VET opportunities are made possible through our partnerships with the community and local industry, and registered training organisations. Students have access to different types of VET including Pre-apprenticeships, School Based Apprenticeships and School based Traineeships. Through VET studies at Collie Senior High School and South Regional TAFE, students have the opportunity to gain Nationally recognised qualifications in the following areas;

Collie SHS is fortunate to have an ongoing support of local businesses and major industry. This has been formalised in a partnership agreement and is known as the Collie Education and Trades Alliance (CETA). Members of the partnership include Collie SHS, Collie Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Synergy, Lanco (Premier Coal), Griffin Coal, South 32 and Transfield Worley Power Services. These companies support the CETA Trades students through this wonderful partnerships.

Australian Curriculum

The Technologies Learning Area is made up of several different contexts including Metals, Wood, Food, Child Care, Information Technology & Craft, and is delivered by specialist staff in all these fields. Students have access to the Trade Training Centre in the delivery of Engineering Trades, Electrical, Automotive and Construction. These facilities are supported by the community through the Industry Reference Group. Further facilities see the delivery of Materials, Design & Technology with a Wood focus in the traditional Design & Technology Rooms and the refurbished Home Economics Centre. In Year 7 & 8 students trial all these courses to see what trade area appeals to them for the future with course specialisation commencing in Year 9 & 10. All contexts allow students to develop an array of life skills that they can utilise in a Career or in their personal life and overall health and well-being. In all areas students work through and develop skills in the Technology Process.

A dedicated team of highly experienced teachers, committed to both the school and the Collie community, deliver the Science curriculum at Collie Senior High School.

Along with many years of experience delivering Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology and Physics to students at the highest secondary level, our team also includes highly experienced teaching staff specialising in delivering Primary to Year 10 Science.

Through establishing high expectations of student behaviour and performance, regular parent contact and along with our supportive and caring approach, our team encourages all students to achieve to their potential and reach their goals.

All strands of the Western Australian Curriculum are delivered to all Junior Secondary school students in streamed classes, with extra support provided and adjustments made for students finding it difficult to meet their expected Science Achievement Standard.

Facilities

The Collie Senior High School Science Department additions and improvements were opened in November 2007.

This has seen the rooms substantially upgraded from the 1960's style with fixed rows of benches in classrooms to more flexible learning areas comprising 4 laboratory classrooms and 1 large lecture theatre style classroom with the capacity for demonstrations at the front desk.

Gas, electricity and water are provided at the sides of the laboratories for experiments and investigations, mobile work benches in the centres with stools with back supports for group work, book work or teacher centred learning. At the back of each room is additional work space, power and data networking.

The science office is spacious and allows for collaboration between staff as well as conferencing and kitchen facilities.

The preparation area has a large storage area for a myriad of equipment and chemicals to provide for a full range of experiments and demonstrations to suit from simple Year 7 experiments, to dissection tools, microscopy, electronics and complex chemical analysis equipment.

Science Staff.

The current (2019) permanent staff are:

Mr Moulden – Head of Science since 2005. Physical Science Specialist. 30+ years experience.

Mrs Moulden – Human Biology and Biology Specialist. 20+ years experience.

Mr Duff – Biology, Human Biology and ICT specialist. 10+ years experience.

Mrs Cole – Junior Secondary specialist. 10+ years experience.

Mrs Annandale – Junior Secondary specialist, some experience with senior physics. 10+ years experience.

Mrs Alfieri - Biology Specialist. 5+ years experience.

Mrs McIllree - Junior Secondary Specialist 5 + years experience.

Frequently Collie Senior High School Science Department accept trainee teachers to complete their teaching practicums. (Mrs Cole completed her final teaching practicums at Collie Senior High School, and it is interesting to note that Mr Varis, Mrs Coralie, Mrs Annandale and Ms Machin are all ex students of Collie Senior High School, adding to the strong community links this school already has.)

Curriculum

Junior Secondary – Years 7 – 10

Currently, Collie Senior High School is running streamed Years 7 – 10 Science classes for all Junior Secondary students.

Collie Senior High School Science Department lead the way in the implementation of the Australian Curriculum, and continue to refine and make adjustments to suit the community dynamics and changing department priorities.

Since 2013, the Australian Curriculum has been completely implemented for Years 8 – 10 in all Science strands (Biological Science, Chemical Science, Earth and Space Science and Physical Science). This was well before the required implementation schedule.

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Science/Curriculum/F-10 - Link to the Australian Curriculum –

Science.

There is a high degree of rigour in these courses, with high expectations for all students to work to the best of their ability. There are a wide variety of tasks covering both the practical and theoretical aspects of Science. These tasks include classwork and homework, experiments and investigations, research and assignment work, mini tests and topic tests (examinations). Students work to earn marks for each assessment task, which go towards a final score for the strand. This is used, in conjunction with the Science Achievement Standards, to allocate a letter grade (A – E) for each strand, and an overall grade for Science.  Support mechanisms are in place to assist students with difficulties, and adjustments made to help them achieve to their potential.

Our intention is to best prepare all students for their next year of study, and ultimately, their destination beyond their studies in Years 11 and 12.

The courses are designed so that Science Inquiry Skills, Science as a Human Endeavour, literacy and numeracy development, indigenous persprctives and the use of ICT is embedded, along with the other general capabilities as required by the Australian Curriculum.

In addition to the Year 7 – 10 programs, Collie Senior High School Science Department also supports teachers and students from the local primary schools in their Science courses.

Senior Secondary

Collie Senior High School Science Department has the human and physical resources and experience to deliver the following WACE courses to Year 12: Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Physical Science, Psychology and Integrated Science, although student demand determines which of these can run from year to year. Typically these classes are of 15 students or less due to the small school size, which allows for a more tailored approach for student learning with strong support mechanisms.

Years 11 and 12 | Science (scsa.wa.edu.au)

Results

According to state testing results, students studying Science at Collie Senior High School typically achieve better results than students in like schools. Science competition results indicate that participating Collie Senior High School Junior School students performed as well as or better than other participating students nationally and within W.A.

Graduating Senior School students from Collie Senior High School typically are accepted into their first or second preference at university. Collie Senior High School Science Department are proud to have educated many students who have gone on to be Doctors, Dentists, Veterinarians, Engineers, Scientists, Teachers and a multitude of other professions.

In the Mathematics Learning Area, students learn to use ideas about Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability to describe, interpret and reason about their social and physical world. It is our aim to foster and extend the mathematical interests and talents of all students.

Mathematics plays a key role in the development of students’ numeracy and assists learning across the curriculum.
It is essential that students develop a positive attitude towards Mathematics and it is the aim of the Mathematics Learning area to:

• encourage students to develop an interest and a liking for Mathematics
• provide a challenging curriculum that fosters appropriate academic and creative development
• provide a supportive environment for the pursuit of excellence
• illustrate to students the applications of mathematics
• develop student initiative in problem solving
• encourage students to take personal responsibility for their work

Lower School Years 7 to 10

Western Australian Curriculum English

• Language,
• Literature and
• Literacy

 Western Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences

• History,
• Business and Economics,
• Geography and
• Civics and Citizenship

 Upper School Years 11 and 12 WACE

 Year 11 ATAR English Units 1 and 2

• texts in contexts
• language and textual analysis
• engaging and responding
• creating texts

 Year 12 ATAR English Units 3 and 4

• texts in contexts
• language and textual analysis
• engaging and responding
• creating texts

Year 11 ATAR Media Production and Analysis

Unit 1- Popular Culture

Unit 2- Journalism

Outcomes

• Media Ideas
• Media Production
• Responses to Media
• Media in Society

Year 12 ATAR Media Production and Analysis

Unit 3- Media Art

Unit 4- Power and Persuasion

Outcomes

• Media Ideas
• Media Production
• Responses to Media
• Media in Society

Year 11 General English

Unit 1 and Unit 2

• comprehension strategies
• language and textual analysis
• using information
• creating texts
• communicating and interacting with others.

Year 12 General English

Unit 3 and Unit 4

• comprehension strategies
• language and textual analysis
• using information
• creating texts
• communicating and interacting with others.

Detailed information on each of these courses can be found in the Upper School Handbook on the Australian Curriculum Website and the Schools Standards and Authority Website

The Health and Physical Education Learning Area at Collie Senior High School aims to provide students with learning experiences that lead to a lifelong, healthy and productive lifestyle. Students are given opportunities to develop skills and abilities through the many contexts in which our Learning Area offers. Our programs are designed to be engaging with a developmental focus on pastoral care, teamwork, cooperative learning, leadership and building important relationship skills for the future. Our teachers believe in educating the “whole child” and hope to meet the needs of every student in their care.

The Health and Physical Education curriculum has been shaped by five (5) propositions:

• A focus on educative purposes such as learning in, through and about movement;
• Taking a strengths-based approach to support students in developing knowledge, understanding and skills students require to make healthy, safe and active choices;
• Value movement and it forms the basis of daily life. Some of our movement contexts assist with performance in other subjects;
• Develop a health literacy; and
• Include a critical inquiry approach.

Through a focus on care and concern, our teachers model the types of behaviour that develop good attitudes and values towards health and physical activity. We do this to help each child reach their potential and develop important social critical skills as part of a holistic program. As we recognise the role the family has to play in also developing healthy attitudes for now and into the future, we encourage parents to keep in contact with us over their child’s journey in our programs.

There are two learning contexts in which students at Collie Senior High School are involved in.

• Physical Education: this includes experiences in sport and fitness related modules, designed for active participation in physical activity both at school and in the community. The skills and abilities learnt in physical education help students make lifelong healthy lifestyle choices. Physical Education is a compulsory part of the curriculum in Years 7 to 10 and students can continue their studies in year 11 and 12 with the following options:
• General Physical Education Studies
• ATAR Physical Education Studies
• Certificate II in Sport and Recreation

• Health Education: in Years 7 to 10, students are engaged in lessons where they will develop important life skills concerning their health which will also prepare them for their later adolescent years. Topics include growth and relationship issues, building resiliency, coping with pressure and influence, drug education, driver education, teen mental health and other community lifestyle issues.

Apart from the formal curriculum, there are also excellent opportunities for students to represent their school in interschool sport. These include:

• Swimming (Term 1);
• Track and Field (Term 2);
• Cross Country Running (Term 2)
• Winter Carnival where sports such as AFL, netball, soccer, touch rugby, hockey and basketball are offered for Year 9 & 10 (Term 3)
• Lightning Carnival where sports such as AFL, netball, soccer, touch rugby, hockey and basketball are offered for Year 7 & 8 (Term 3)

All our extracurricular sports opportunities, including the school swimming and athletics carnivals, contribute to our pastoral focus of care and concern as part of a wider school approach to meet the needs of every child. Representing the school in sport is considered a high honour and is looked upon by the school as a high and noteworthy achievement.

The early years of secondary school – typically years 7,8,9 and 10- are referred to as Lower School and represent the transition from Primary school in preparation for the demands of the Senior School.

All students in these years study a core curriculum in Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities and Social Science (HASS), Physical Education, Health Education, The Arts and Technologies. These courses are all taken by specialist teachers with a depth of knowledge in their particular area. We have specialist laboratories for Science and classrooms fully equipped with modern Information Technology to give students access to a wide range of stimulating resources and learning materials.

All learning areas are now teaching and assessing the West Australian Curriculum as required by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). Details of the West Australian Curriculum can be found here.

The Arts provides an opportunity for students in Years 7 & 8 to experience courses in “Visual Arts” such as Painting, Drawing, Photography or “Performing Arts” such as Drama, Dance. Students will get to experience these areas for at least one term in each year, getting a little experience in all areas by the end of Year 8. In Years 9 and 10 students can select a course in whichever area interests them most to study for a full semester.

Likewise in Technologies, students have the opportunity in Year 7 & 8 to study courses in “Materials”- Woodwork, Metalwork; “Engineering Principles”; and “Food Science and Technology”. They will have each of these areas for at least one term in years 7 & 8. In addition they will also have a course in “Digital Technologies” in both years to strengthen and enhance their Information Technology and computer skills.

Years 11 and 12 represent the senior years of school. They are generally the final two years of a student's secondary school career and prepare them for the world outside school. This may be further study at university, if students are pursuing a professional career, TAFE colleges when seeking a vocational trade or qualification or may be direct access to employment. As per West Australian Government requirements all students must be in some form of education until the end of the year in which they turn 17 1/2 or 18. At Collie Senior High School we provide a full suite of courses to enable students to study and prepare for their desired post school pathway.

University bound students have access to ATAR courses in English, Mathematics Methods, Mathematics Applications, Physics, Media Production and Analysis, Chemistry, Physical Education Studies, Human Biology, Visual Arts, Biology, Politics and Law, Accounting, Modern History, Psychology and many other courses via the School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE). Students studying any course through SIDE have the extra support of expert teachers in the school as well as a Learning Support Coordinator who works with them in timetabled classes to assist in setting study goals. This is invaluable preparation for the ways in which Universities are delivering much of their course work via online lectures and tutorials.

For students seeking a Vocational pathway to further training or apprenticeships we offer a wide range of general courses in English, Mathematics, Career and Enterprise, Food Science and Technology, Materials design and Technology (Wood and Metals), Visual Arts, Physical Education Studies. Alongside these courses students also have a range of Certificate 2 courses such as Engineering Trades, Information and Digital Multimedia Technology, Community Services, Heavy Duty and Light Duty Automotive Servicing, Visual Arts and a few others. In addition to these we also offer Workplace Learning to eligible students to provide them with experience and skills in the world of work.

Click for the Course description booklet 2023

Click for the Senior School Pathways 2023

WHOLE SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS

Collie Senior High School is committed to ensuring that all members of the school community are able to learn effectively in a safe, secure, orderly and welcoming environment. We have adopted a Positive Behaviour Support system across the school to provide a clear framework for staff and students to identify what is expected within the Collie Senior High School community. There are four main expectations which form the Collie ARCH; these are Aspiration, Respect, Commitment and Honesty. The ARCH forms the foundation of the Collie Senior High School ethos of “We Strive” and provides the means for reinforcing good behaviour and redirecting poor behaviour can be successfully achieved. 

As a school community, we believe that home and school must share the responsibility for students to learn and demonstrate appropriate behaviour. By working together, we can provide more meaningful opportunities for students to behave responsibly and to respect themselves and others. Principles of procedural fairness, equity, cultural sensitivity and inclusivity underpin all decisions made. A student’s Good Standing is reinstated after the impacted time period.

GOOD STANDING POLICY

All students have their Good Standing, however throughout the year a number of extra-curricular events are held. They have the opportunity to attend these events unless they have lost their Good Standing privilege. These events include:

For each event, there will be a defined lead-in period clearly outlined to students. During this lead-in period, students will lose the privilege of participating in the event if they:

are suspended from school;

• fail to attend school without an explanation. Notes must be up to date;
• are repeatedly late for school;
• continually fail to be in school uniform; or
• are withdrawn from a Learning Area for a week or more.

             Special Conditions

If suspended, students are ineligible for Semester super draws

• If attending Country Week or Workplace Learning during Country Week, all course work must be up to date and signed off by the class teacher

The final decision is with the Principal.

The above criteria for loss of privileges apply for each event. Particular events may also have additional criteria pertaining to them. Students will be advised of these at the commencement of the lead in period.

SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS

These expectations are derived from the required school policies and are required to be followed once you enter the school site.

HEALTHY CHOICES

Choose healthy food and drink options to keep yourself healthy and ready for work.

 If not ordering from the canteen, all lunch options must be delivered through the front office.

 Chewing gum, soft drink and lollies belong at home.

 Eating is reserved for allocated breaks (recess and lunch).

 We are an asthma friendly school, so only roll-on deodorant can be brought to school.

MOVING ABOUT

Scooters and bikes must be parked in the specific areas provided. Please use the nearest exit point when safely riding to and from school.

 Movement during class time is only permitted through the use of a red pass issued by the teacher.

 Lower school students are expected to line up and only enter classrooms under the supervision of their teachers.

 Students are expected to stay within school boundaries at all times.

 Please ensure everyone is given 30 cm of personal space.

PERSONAL ITEMS

“Hoodies” and denim items are not part of our school uniform.

 Valuable items (such as mobile phones) can be deposited at the front office for safe-keeping and can be collected at the end of the day.

 Mobile phones and external listening devices (including earphones, earbuds and airpods) should be off and out of sight unless required for a class activity.

 Hats may be worn in classrooms when required for safety purposes only e.g. Woodwork.

Internet Access

Click here for the Online Services policy for students at Collie Senior High School. 

Click here for the Collie Senior High School Parent Handbook

View Collie Senior High School Business Plan