Kellyville+High+School

Kellyville High School
 //What is the timetable structure in terms of Period length:// 6 x 53 minute periods in one day - divided up - 2 periods, recess, 2 periods, lunch, 2 periods. Variable weeks: Week A and B cycle. Variable days: How many lines: 6 lines Before and after school lessons:

//Do you use a computer program for timetabling? If so what program and what would you say are the benefits and disadvantages?How does the process work?// First Class program. a lot of work completed on the matrix. Program doesn't separate week A and B. Uses program, then manipulate for 5 or 4 periods then change in program. //How many hours do core subjects get in junior school?// Follow BOS requirements - no particular area of focus.

//How many electives are offered in junior school and how many can each student do?How long do they study each elective – eg. 100/200hrs// 3 electives - all 200 hours. Once elective chosen keep for 2 years - commerce, metal, food and woodwork classes most popular.

//Are other subjects offered beyond the core in the junior school? E.g Literacy, learning unit, careers?// Only core subjects - no literacy, numeracy or learning unit - traditional structure.

//How is sport organised?// Grade and recreation sport one afternoon a week for years 8,9,10. Year 7 separate sport morning - integrated (?PE delivered) Year 11 during sport time: Year 11 do crossroads for Term 1 and 2 (no camp), a study skills unit in Term 3 and go home in Term 4 as in year 12.

//How do you deliver careers?Eg. time allocated, year group?// One period each fortnight to both years 9&10. School to work - timetabled within careers program.

//How many senior subjects are offered?What subjects are offered?Eg.Combinations of VET, Board endorsed, Board developed?// Large amount of courses offered. Not many on-site VET due to school facilities. TAFE popular choice for many. Ask for interest from Year 10 re subjects ie pick top 7 subjects. Then put them on lines and then students choose. Able to accommodate about 95%. Will cut face to face hours in order to run small numbers. Need to negotiate with faculties ie HSIE may have 7 senior subjects running so wont allow a very small class to run, but TAS may only have a few subjects so will allow a small small class.

//Is the senior timetable organised differently to junior school? E.g Different number of lines, start and finish times etc.// No

//Have you considered / are you making changes to offerings in the senior school because of the new school leaving age?// Not really - they are not keen in offering more VET subjects as it has an impact on staffing numbers, and do not like the idea of "glorified child minding"

//How do you timetable activities such as: assemblies, scripture, pastoral care/welfare programs?// Scripture is timetabled 1 period per fortnight for Yrs 7,8,9 those doing non-scripture work on a school values unit. Years 10,11,12 have 1 half day seminar per term for scripture. Assemblies timetabled Monday mornings 15-20 mins. Whole school in quadrangle. Pastoral care programs done 2 morning per week in the extended roll call. Year 7 have 1 period per fortnight of pastoral care etc.

//What are the benefits and limitations of your timetable structure?// The double periods are good for practical subjects but junior core subjects also have doubles. For eg English will be split with PE because not enough PE teachers for whole year to do at once so English will have one 106 minute period per cycle. ( they didn't see it as a problem but I do - lindy) Week A and B Difficult to timetable part-time staff especially for senior subjects Having to adjust the double periods as to where they fall in week A or B

//Have you had other timetables in the past – How does this compare?// Have only had this timetble

//How easily can you accommodate wishes of different faculties? E.g longer periods for prac lessons, shorter for other areas.// See above re double periods. Senior subjects all get 1 double per fortnight

//What sort of feedback have you received from different areas of the school about the timetable?// They are happy with length of periods and Week A and B system

//Other information:// They try very hard to offer a wide range of choices for seniors and so for eg maths is on 2 lines so that there are more non-maths choices on offer. They will run 2 unit and general on the same line to allow for movement but it can create a problem if too many students wish to change levels and the other classes are full they would have to switch lines - big headache. Post school certificate for Year 10 do various study skills, All my own work, etc. Goes OK for a few weeks then very hard to sustain interest. Years 7 and 8 stay in same classes for everything. They are the last to go on timetable, not part of the matrix - wherever they slot in. Roll call is vertical (Yr 7-12) in houses.