Philosophy
Our students are known, valued and cared for at Irrawang High School. We know that students who have a positive experience at school, make connections and feel safe will achieve better outcomes in the long term.
Wellbeing Head Teacher - Mrs Gabi Yeomans
The roles of the Wellbeing Co-ordinator includes:
* lead the learning support team meeting
* lead the student wellbeing team
* promote positive student and staff wellbeing through programs, interventions and referrals to appropriate professionals
* work with families to develop plans to help students
Learning Support Team
The school Learning and Support team plays a key role in ensuring that the specific needs of students with a disability and additional learning and support needs are met.
Meet the LaST Team:
Thomas Wai is a PDHPE trained Learning and Support Teacher (LaST) who works with small groups of students to build their literacy and numeracy skills. Thomas also works closely with our EAL/D students to help them with their schooling needs and building their communication skills. He is currently located in the library, our student learning hub."
Roslyn Byrne is a Student Learning Support Officer, who works with our students in small groups in the library. Roslyn uses the Lexia program to enable students to be more confident in their literacy skills. Roslyn has lived in the area for over 25 years and has formed great relationships within the community.
Alyssa Allen is a Student Learning Support Officer (SLSO) who runs our QuickSmart literacy intervention program. Alyssa develops strong trusting relationships with small groups of students to become more confident readers. Based in the library, Alyssa also supports other literacy intervention initiatives within the school.
Tiffany Mahon is a Special Education trained Learning Suppport teacher. She has experience teaching students with a range of abilities, in many different learning settings. Tiffany's role as part of the Learning and Support Team, includes conducting assessments, preparing learning plans and supporting student learning and wellbeing. She also spends time teaching in the Support Faculty.
Mr Bryan is a Learning Assistance Dog who works with our Learning Support and Wellbeing teams. He is a Labrador who comes to us from the Guide Dogs NSW therapy dogs program.
Year Advisor
Some of the roles of the Year Advisor include:
* provide the initial point of contact for parents
* provide liaison between parents and the school
* support individual students through difficult times
* provide information to assist teachers understand the practical needs of individual students every year
* initiate/develop/enhance opportunities that develop and promote belonging (camps, excursions, wellbeing days)
2023 Year Advisors:
Year 7 - Mrs Katie Hines & Mr Kade Fens
Year 8 - Ms Josie Scarcella & Mr Jed Molenaar
Year 9 – Ms Angelica Schutte & Mr Liam Burdon
Year 10 - Mr Greg Field & Ms Marlee Byrnes
Year 11 – Ms Kass Bangle, Mrs Lexi Peterson & Mrs Meagan Rembarz
Year 12 – Mr Peter Furey & Mrs Tiffany White
Chaplain
A chaplain is a mentor and a support person who can work with the school wellbeing team to access psychological support and services.
At Irrawang High School, the chaplain supports our young people through a range of formal and informal processes. One example is Seasons for Growth, a program that educates about the cycle of grief and loss.
Counsellors
School counsellors are qualified teachers who have a degree in psychology and post graduate qualifications in school counselling.
They complement and enhance the work of teachers by:
* strengthening schools' student welfare provisions
* providing psychological assessments of students with specific needs.
Administration Head Teacher
· works with families to support student attendance
Programs at Irrawang High School include:
* Recognition of positive behaviour through the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) program
* HNE Health
* PBL
* Plan-It Youth
* Backflips for bullying
* Check and connect
* Big Sisters
* Breakfast club
* Free Fruit at the canteen
* Recognition of positive behaviour
* Snack ‘n’ Study
* Seasons for Growth
* Weekly PBL class lessons
* Peer Support
Anti-Bullying Plan
https://irrawang-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/supporting-our-students/irrawang-high-anti-bullying-plan1.html