11 Mar 2019
The Sydney Morning Herald’s recent report on how to choose the right high school for your child provides some excellent insights for parents and students looking for ‘the right fit’.
It reported that, ‘experts agree that when choosing a school, its approach to learning should be highest on a parent's check list. How does the school ensure a child is engaged? How does it ensure each student is progressing? How does it include parents?’
The article points out that schools are polished to look their best for the Open Day season but parents need to look beyond this. ‘The most significant influence on the quality of education a child will receive doesn't come from the buildings, but from the teachers within them, said Murat Dizdar, the NSW Department of Education's deputy secretary of school operations.
How does Sir Joseph Banks High School stack up according to what the article says is important? Extremely well! Our buildings may be old but the teaching and learning that takes place within them have been acknowledged as outstanding by educators at high levels. We are a high growth high school. We have strong partnerships with our community, business and universities. Every child is important. We work hard to ensure that students are engaged partners in their own learning and that an extensive range of programs and opportunities support and enrich them at every stage of their learning. We innovate and deliver!
The SMH also says that the ‘vibe’ of the school is of utmost importance and that parents need to look beyond the charisma of the principal and talk to students and staff. Our students and staff are waiting to talk to guests on Open Day, not prepared speeches but informal one to one as guests tour the school, take part in workshops and attend information sessions.
Please visit us on Open Day Wednesday 13 at 6pm to see our passion and commitment. More importantly, to see if we are ‘the right fit’ for your child.
By Jordan Baker and Sarah Keoghan
March 3, 2019