Forbes High School Principal, Charles Dwyer, is looking forward to the 2016 school year which commenced Wednesday 27th January when staff returned to work to prepare for what is set to be another exciting and busy year.
Forbes High will enter the second year of its three year plan which focuses on the three main areas of Student Learning, School Learning, improving school systems and process, and continuing to strengthen Community Partnerships. For many years the high school has been working closely with local primary schools to increase and improve interactions between prospective students and staff to ensure a smooth transition from primary to secondary schooling. The Partnering with Primary Schools program has been very successful with Year 7 students comfortable and confident with their new surroundings and routines as well as more settled and eager to learn.
The Bring Your Own Device policy will be implemented this year and students will be able to bring personally owned mobile devices (laptops, tablets and smart phones) to school and use those devices to access programs in educational settings. Senior students will have the opportunity this year to experience ALARM. ALARM is an acronym for A Learning and Responding Matrix which is designed to support students extended responses to questions in exam situations. ALARM gives them a framework to develop and show a deeper understanding of subject content.
The retirement of experienced and dedicated teachers in 2015 will see many staff changes this year. These staff members were farewell on the last day and their careers were recognised and celebrated and they were showered with well wishes as they enter the next stage of their lives. Although the school community is sad to see the departure of these individuals it will be an exciting transition and the school is looking forward to welcoming the new staff members, not only to the school, but the wider community as well. Each will bring a particular skill set to the school which will support students, colleagues and faculty development. Consolidating programs throughout the school improves student learning opportunities and outcomes.
Staff and students will continue to work with all aspects of the community including businesses, sporting organisations and community groups. The community is an essential element of the school that contributes to all aspects of student learning and social development.