Wyong High School Welfare
Student welfare remains the central focus at Wyong High School. It is supported by a Head Teacher Student Welfare and a very strong team of Year Advisers who are in turn supported by a Head Teacher for each specific year. Year Advisers meet regularly with the Head Teacher and also as a team. A LEARNING SUPPORT COMMITTEE meets each week. This Committee consists of 2 Deputy Principals, Head Teacher Student Welfare, School Counsellor, Head Teacher Special Education, Aboriginal Education Assistant, Support Teacher Learning and the Behaviour support teacher.
There are a wide range of support programs offered to assist student learning. The Head Teacher Student Welfare co-ordinates these programs. Students may be placed on these programs as a result of staff or self referrals. Welfare Support Programs operating at Wyong High School include:
Links to Learning: offers support to students who may be experiencing bullying or are bullies. It also runs a self esteem and Childcare Program. The aim of the program is to assist students to cope with barriers which may impede their learning. Selected students attend the Gravity Youth Centre at Lake Haven one day per week for a Semester.
Youth Pathways: this program is run by Youth Connections and operates from Wyong High School. Students who are at risk of leaving school and/ or disengaged with learning are offered support by this service on a weekly basis.
Smith Family Student to Student Reading Program: students from Wyong High School nominate to become mentors and readers to a selected group of primary students.
Girls Stuff: this is a new program which offers support to girls who have difficulty forming friendships and may have low self esteem. It aims to empower them by providing craft based activities in an informal environment where they can address issues which may overcome personal barriers.
Christian Workers in Schools: Wyong High School offers the services of a School Based Chaplain who works with all students and offers a wide variety of programs promoting Christian values.
As chaplain at Wyong High I seek to partner in building a sense of community filled with hope, love and support among both staff and students at the school. I use a holistic approach, journyeing alonside people and aiming to meet their emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs to draw them toward an encounter with the living God who cares for each one of us.
In this role I take Years 7 and 8 for Scripture and challenge students to consider the spiritual nature of life. I mentor individual students, and organise programs at lunchtimes such as Cafe, discipleship or sports. I also run "No Limits" courses which tap into the unrealised potential within, as well as planning extra curricular events for people to participate in. Whatever I can do to make a difference in someone's life is what I am here for!
Ted Noffs Drug and Alcohol Program: The Ted Noffs Foundation provides a counsellor to service any students who may require these services.
Burnside: the services of RAPA(Reconnecting Adolescents and Children) operates at Wyong High School. This program provides a service which enables families to work through relationship issues.
Motivational Media: this is a values based initiative which is screened each year. It provides valuable messages to teenagers about making wise choices. In addition to these services there are the following programs operating at Wyong High School. These programs all support student welfare.
Student Leadership:
The Lions Club Youth of the Year: operates very successfully at Wyong High School. Each year students represent the school at this prestigious event. The school has been very successful in this competition reaching the Regional Finals on several occasions. There is also an opportunity for the students at Wyong High School to join the YOUNG LEOS CLUB. This club operates from our beautiful Community Cottage and is co-ordinated by the Lions Club of Wyong.
Market Day: is a very long established tradition at Wyong High School which enables the senior students to raise funds for their Year 12 Farewell as well as support a school charity.
Aboriginal Education Assistant
The School Counsellor
Uniform Pool and Student Assistance: A uniform pool offers students access to clean free uniforms which have been donated by past students. There is also student assistance available for those families experiencing financial difficulty. The forms to access this assistance are available form the Head Teacher Student Welfare or the Administration office.
This significant part of Wyong High School’s history commenced in 1999 with the induction of 60 past achievers. This was a result of months of research by the founding committee. This committee comprised of a mixture of staff and community members. The founding committee members were: Staff, Mr. P Nesbitt Hawes, Mrs C Moore, Mrs G Smith and Community Members Mrs S Travers and Mrs M deHass. Mrs Lorraine Hoddinott later joined the committee as a community member. There are now over 100 past achievers on the Wall.
The criteria for selection is based on significant achievement in one or more of the following areas: Academic, Sporting, Cultural and Community. The members of the Wall of Achievement provide positive role models for the students who pass through Wyong High School. Framed photographs of all members along with a summary of their achievements are housed in our school library. Past students and members of the community who wish to view this historic wall of past students and their significant achievements may do so by contacting the school on 43538088.
Every year new members are inducted onto the Wall at our Annual Presentation evening. There is an official function held prior to the Presentation evening in the library for family, friends and staff. This provides an excellent opportunity for the new inductees to view the Wall of Achievement and to share with staff their achievements since leaving Wyong High School.