Merrylands+High+School

Merrylands High School
//What is the timetable structure in terms of:// See individual timetable structure sheet.
 * Period length - 5 one hour periods each day (Tuesday slightly different to accommodate sport) + morning for seniors (7.30-1.30) and afternoon for juniors (9-3). Staff acrue leave time / in lieu of time (limitation on executive staff and their obligations) - negotiated.
 * Variable weeks - One week structure
 * Variable days - Tuesday (slightly different bell times for sport) and Monday 2-2.30 enrichment time for welfare, year assemblies, social skills program, study skills, etc. Finish at 2.30 on Monday. Staff meeting / faculty meeting time 2.30-3.00pm on Monday.
 * How many lines - 6 lines (junior / senior time difference).
 * Before and after school lessons - seniors commencing at 7.30. No after school programs.

//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?// Timechart used for timetabling - hands on timetabling (manually) first. Seniors first on lines then subject selection. They set the lines rather than asking the students. Offer a large number of senior subject options. 20-30 year 11 aubjects running. School same size as CHS (approx). Reduced face to face time - run class with 5 students with reduced face to face. Yr 11 4pd per subject per week and year 12 three pd per subject per week. They were happy with Timechart program.

//How many hours do core subjects get in junior school?// BOS Mandatory hours - not pushing a particular subject.

//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// 2 electives - 100 in each year or each subject = 2 x 200 hr courses

//Are other subjects offered beyond the core in the junior school? E.g Literacy, learning unit, careers?// Enrichment period Monday afternoons - negative - at end of day, students reducing importance - considering moving to before lunch on Monday. Work experience - only mandatory VET workplacements and support for refugee students. Also, includes NAPLAN preparation. Literacy / numeracy / ICT - English class - 3 periods + 1 literacy period which is programmed and delivered by what could be a separate teacher. Same for maths and numeracy. Years 7, 9&10. To find out about year 8. How is your languages program organised?

//How is sport organised?// One afternoon a week - 8-11 - grade and recreation.

//How do you deliver careers?Eg. time allocated, year group?// No designated careers program - covered during enrichment time. Year 10, after SC, do school to work unit but no work experience in the school.

//How many senior subjects are offered?What subjects are offered?Eg.Combinations of VET, Board endorsed, Board developed?// Large number offered due to structure (20-30 different subjects offered). Pattern changing to add more VET courses across all lines. All types and combinations.

//Is the senior timetable organised differently to junior school? E.g Different number of lines, start and finish times etc.// Yes - see above notes.

//Have you considered / are you making changes to offerings in the senior school because of the new school leaving age?// Yes, considereing offering a non-ATAR line - eg. increased VET offerings across all lines to cater.

//How do you timetable activities such as: assemblies, scripture, pastoral care/welfare programs?// Erichment - see above. Scripture scattered across the timetable (similar to Concord). Assembly on Monday morning, start of day - within home classes / roll call - assembly held outside. 10 minute roll call each day. Discussed benefits of the formal roll call.

//What are the benefits and limitations of your timetable structure?// Just changed to 5 one hr periods. All faculties generally indicate that they love it. Concern re cooking - following period free for the teacher to finish cleaning up. Raised student engagement - more focus from students in one hour rather than hour 20. Same amount of work completed. Concern about how often that they meet students, certain areas time reduced and others increased. This will be something to consider as it will affect faculties. Learning -students more engaged. eg. metal/wood OK with the time provided by 1 hr periods. Annecdotal feedback from staff. Senior student survey re 7.30 start - 50% in favour... 80% attendance of students.

//Have you had other timetables in the past – How does this compare?// 8 x 40 min periods in doubles (= 4 80min periods). This was changed mid 2009.

//How easily can you accommodate wishes of different faculties? E.g longer periods for prac lessons, shorter for other areas.// All doing one hour. PBL / PBIS implemented at the school.

//What sort of feedback have you received from different areas of the school about the timetable?// Annecdotal feedback from staff. Generally happy with change. Senior student survey re 7.30 start - 50% in favour... 80% attendance of students.

//Other information:// Bell times on the hour Languages taster lesson - French or Italian and then study in year 8 with electives in 9-10. Senior subjects - 10-12 students - full face to face. Under - reduced load to 3 periods.


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