Parafield Gardens High School uses a Learning Communities model. This means that instead of a Year Level Coordinator, students are assigned to one of four Learning Communities that are vertically groups 7-12.
Students are placed in Communities based on their Home group and stay in those communities for the remainder of their schooling.
The benefits of this model include:
- Building meaningful, consistent and positive relationships with staff, students and families
- Promoting collaboration, communication and student agency
- Promoting an inclusive environment which celebrates the strengths of all learners
- Promoting a positive, supportive and inclusive school culture where all students are welcomed and valued
- Promoting loyalty, passion and determination to help achieve success within the community
- Promoting positive self-esteem, identity, belonging and pride to support positive mental health
- Developing positive learning relationships between a range of students and builds their learning efficacy
Each Learning Community is comprised of a Learning Community Manager, Youth Worker and Wellbeing Support member who follow students through their learning journeys.
The communities take part in challenges against one another including sport and engineering.
Wellbeing at Parafield Gardens High School
Youth Worker: provides case management for students and runs a variety of small group intervention programs. Youth workers also help to connect students with external supports and manage the interconnection of supports.
Wellbeing support: Supports students using strategies to improve their wellbeing and get back into the classroom ready for learning. Wellbeing Support also helps students to connect with external support..
Pastoral Care Worker: Supports students across the school with connection, belonging and accessing external supports for students and families. The Pastoral Care Worker also supports in organising lunchtime activities and breakfast club.
Wellbeing Platform: If students would like to access wellbeing support for themselves or a friend or if you would like to refer your child please complete a referral form on the Wellbeing Platform. Links are provided on our website and in the Favourites bar on student laptops. Alternatively call or go to Student Services.
Whole School Programs and Interventions
Our school offers a range of whole school programs to support students including:
Breakfast Club – Monday to Thursday in the Courtyard
Learning Hub – Until 4pm Monday – Thursday in the Library
Vista Sports – Tuesday afternoons throughout the year
Home Group Programs: The Home Group Program has a real focus on social and emotional learning to empower students to take the lead in their lives and learning. Rock and Water is a big part of this program in the middle years. Additionally the program includes a variety of wellbeing presentations including BATYR, Sammy D, SAPOL, Livin’, P.A.R.T.Y Program, Encounter Youth presentations, University mentoring, Cyberia and many more.
Targeted Intervention – In addition to whole school programs, we offer support through targeted intervention programs including but not limited to Coaching Young People for Success, RAGE and Taming the Bull. Interventions run in 6-week cycles.
Student Representative Council (SRC): Students can increase their connection with school and have a say by joining the SRC and one of the associated focus groups. SRC Wellbeing and intercultural groups take the lead in organising events such as RUOK? Day, Harmony Week, Wear it Purple and Bullying No Way.
Parents and Friends
Parents and Friends Committee meet twice a term with a focus on fundraising and support of whole school events. This includes Support in Learning Hub, Sports Day, Performance Nights, Open Night and in some cases admin support.
To lodge a concern about a student’s wellbeing, please click HERE
