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An information portal for families
Choosing a secondary school is one of the most important decisions that students make in Year 6. Unfortunately with the current social distancing restrictions in place, we are unable to do what we would normally do, that is, conduct school tours, host information evenings and do school visits. We have set up this page specifically for Year 6 students and their families to provide some extra information about our school.
You can download a pdf with more information about FHS and the Year 6-7 Transition process below.
We welcome and encourage students and their families to use this form to submit questions you may have about our school or the enrolment process. We have a dedicated transition team assigned to respond to your questions and where appropriate we will update the FAQ with the Q&A information we gather during this process.
Thank you for connecting with us. We will respond to you shortly.
This FAQ has been compiled from questions asked during previous parent information sessions. We encourage students and their families to use the form above to submit any other queries you may have. The FHS transition team will continue to update the FAQ throughout the Transition Process.
Click on each category to expand the related FAQ
All students at this campus will have access to a locker.
Bike storage is available at the Barkly campus.
We implement sustainable practice through a dedicated leadership team. Every campus building is state-of-the-art, and consideration has been made to ensure best practice.
We will advise all families of the technology requirements during the school transition program. Further information can also be found at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/our-school/forms-policies/
An example of the break structure at Footscray High School can be found at:www.footscray.vic.edu.au/our-school/timetable/
Enrolment confirmation is managed by the student’s primary school. In the first instance please contact them and direct any further questions to:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/contact/
The maximum student capacity for the campuses are:
Enrolments for 2021 are still open and student numbers are yet to be finalised. As an indication, we enrolled 300 Year 7 students at Barkly Campus for 2020 and each class had between 21-25 students.
Our online maths program was last reviewed in 2020. Comprehensive reviews of all our programs take place annually.
Both our junior campuses, Pilgrim and Barkly, will offer a mirrored curriculum.
All our students will have access to the wide range of facilities and curriculum program, regardless of the campus they attend.
We will not be running composite classes at any of the campuses.
Subject handbooks are available for every year level. Information on the 2021 subjects can be found at:https://footscray.vic.edu.au/learning/subject-selection-booklists
Information on our 2021 Maths Pathways program can be found at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/learning/subject-selection-booklists/
We are offering STEAM universally across all campuses to ensure every student is inspired by the STEAM skill and career opportunities. We are also running the Marie Curie Girls Science Club. Further information on our STEAM program can be found at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/life-footscray/steam-school/
Our school offers an extensive sporting program at every campus. Further information can be found at:www.footscray.vic.edu.au/life-footscray/sports-program/
We will offer Italian and Japanese across all three campuses.
Today, students are likely to have four or five different careers in their working lives. For our students to thrive in the 21st Century they need to more than today’s knowledge – they need to think critically, creatively and laterally, and be comfortable with working in teams.
Our seminar and general learning spaces support our students to learn in a variety of ways. For example, in a general learning space a student could expect typical class discussion whilst a seminar space would allow for collaboration on practical projects.
Our school will offer and encourage students to partake in our comprehensive art program that includes visual arts, performing arts and music. More information on our arts program can be found at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/life-footscray/the-arts/
An extensive science program is available for all our students. In 2021, each campus will have either upgraded or new science facilities onsite. An extensive careers support program will also be provided at our senior campus (Kinnear).
Our junior campuses will offer a mirrored curriculum. The campuses will work together to provide opportunities for every student.
Both campuses will provide our students with contemporary learning environments. All classrooms will be serviced by high-speed wireless internet and interactive projectors, and fitted with flexible furniture. Both campuses will have several specialist project spaces customised for the STEAM curriculum and project-based learning activities.
Our junior campuses will offer the same extracurricular opportunities. Throughout the year, there are numerous opportunities for students to interact with their peers across all three of our campuses such as sporting events, art shows, music and theatre performances.
Our school will not be offering this program.
The onsite works at the school campuseshave been classified as ‘State Critical Infrastructure Projects’ and as such, are able to continue.
The contractors responsible for these works have been asked to consider reducing onsite workforce numbers where practical, and the reduction does not compromise delivery. Contractors are required to comply with Stage 4 restrictions which include having both a COVIDSafe plan and High Risk COVIDSafe plan attachment in place, in addition to their standard OH&S obligations.
We have developed a comprehensive response plan that is frequently reviewed and aligned to the Department of Education and Training guidelines.
We have been using Google during this period, as supported by chrome books. Teachers have daily contact with their students, and this has been done through remote learning during the stage 4 restrictions.
We regularly communicate with families through the website and Facebook page on how parent and caregivers can best support their child’s teacher.
We will continue to work with Department of Education and Training to ensure all future learning adheres to the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer. Once camps are permitted, the school intends to reinstate the program in line with the latest health advice and policy.
Our school will run a comprehensive Year 7 – 12 outdoor education programs. Further information can be found in the individual subject selection for 2021 available on our website, and students and families will be kept up to date on any upcoming camps and excursions through Compass and our school website.
Our school will have universal campus fees. Information can be found at: https://footscray.vic.edu.au/our-school/forms-policies
All campuses will have the start and finish at the same time each day.This will be from 8:50 am – 3:10 pm. An example of our timetable can be found at:https://footscray.vic.edu.au/our-school/timetable/
Parents and caregivers can monitor their child’s academic progress through:
Our school will have one school council, run across all three campuses. The council will have representation from staff, students and parents/caregivers.
At the beginning of every school year, we will promote the opportunity to be a part of this through the school website and Facebook page.
Our school is inclusive in supporting every student with the resources and facilities they need to thrive. All new and refurbished buildings are compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
Further information on our wellbeing program can be found at:ww.footscray.vic.edu.au/life-footscray/wellbeing-support/
Further information of our transition program can be at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/enrol/year-6-7-transition-2021/
Our campuses have each been evaluated by developmental professionals at Architecture & Access. You can information at: www.architectureandaccess.com.au/
Information on all our facilities and spaces can be found at:
www.www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/schools/Pages/FootscrayHighSchool.aspx
You can find information on each campus including facilities available at www.footscray.vic.edu.au/
You can find information on each campus including facilities available at
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/You can also find information about the new builds and upgrades across the school atwww.www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx
The new facilities at each of the campuses have been architecturally designed in compliance with acoustics performance requirements outlined in the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) Building Quality Standards Handbook.
There will be no further changes made to the campus uniform policy. Information on the uniform can be found at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/our-school/uniform/
We are building excitement across all our campuses through the transition program, student mentorship and access to a range of career pathway and learning programs. Prospective families can keep up to date with this on the school website and Facebook page.
Pilgrim Campus in 2021 will be Year 7 – 8. From 2022, it will be Years 7-9
All classes will be held at this campus, with travel only required for special events and activities.
Our school community will be able to access the wide range of facilities during and out-of-school hours. Further information can be found at:
Victoria University, alongside Footscray High School, is a key partner of the Footscray Learning Precinct with opportunities for the school to use some of the high-quality facilities currently being explored. Further information will be provided shortly.
Every campus will work closely to ensure every student has access to the facilities they need to thrive in their education. Students will access these facilities as and when required.
Community groups will be able to rent the wide range of facilities at Footscray High School. Further information can be found at:
Our school will be running the Doctors in Schools’ program. Further information on this program can be found at:
www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/doctors.aspx
All our students are allocated a home group and each home group will be a member of a wider learning community. Each learning community has a leader who works closely with home group teachers to ensure all students are supported in their learning daily.
The home group teacher will also be their English & Humanities teacher. This is deliberate as we aim to create a positive caring learning environment during this transition time. This structure was implemented at the Barkly campus in 2020 and has worked extremely well.
Every morning will begin with our students meeting in their learning community groups.
Our anti-bullying policies are available at:wwwfootscray.vic.edu.au/our-school/forms-policies/
Our Year 10 students will have the opportunity to mentor students at both junior campuses. This program has been designed to be inclusive in supporting the needs of every student, with a specific focus on student voice and leadership. Further information on this program can be found at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/life-footscray/student-leadership/
Our school has an extensive school safety policy. You can find information on this policy at:
Our school has a thorough transition program, led by a dedicated student wellbeing support and transition team that ensures every future student is supported in the next step of their education journey – regardless of which school they are coming from.
During year 6-7 transitions, support includes getting to know our students early and introducing them to the learning behaviours and experiences that will
support them to flourish at FHS. We will work closely with their primary school transitions team to ensure all needs are met. At this stage, we are unable to meet face to face but hope to have more opportunities to do so later in the year. Information on our transition program can be found at:
In the year 10 transition, year 9 students will attend a range of career pathway and mindfulness days at the Kinnear Campus. Every year 9 student will be interviewed with their parents, by the assistant principal and transition and wellbeing coordinator.
Our school has a robust wellbeing team that are dedicated to providing the support that students and their families need to thrive. This includes two school support staff, one social worker and three psychologists who will work closely with students, and a family counsellor.
Further information on the school wellbeing program can be found at: www.footscray.vic.edu.au/life-footscray/wellbeing-support/
The Respectful Relationships program has been weaved into our school pillars and values. Every year level across each campus will run the program and our teachers have received intensive training to deliver this. Information on the school pillars and values can be found at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/our-school/our-pillars/
We tailor all wellbeing and social support initiatives to the needs of the student and their family. This support is made readily available through our wellbeing team.
Our students cannot use their primary school laptop. Further information on the school technology requirements can be found at:
Our school leadership team have worked closely in the strategic planning of travel between schools to ensure time is best utilised and not lost due to travel.
We are working closely with the department to finalise these transportation options such as walking and busing. We hope to have this information available to students and families in Term 4.
We operate under the comprehensive risk management guidelines that the Department of Education and Training has set out. Further information can be found at:
Our school has a universal uniform across all campuses. A uniform shop will be available onsite at the Kinnear campus. Additionally, orders can also be made online through official uniform supplier Noone. Further information can be found at:
Further information on the uniform can be found at:
Footscray High School students will have access to a wide range of outdoor areas for breaks. Students will also have access to a canteen.
You can find more about the 6 – 7 transition program for 2021 here
Our school offers enrolment only to those students that live in specific campus zones. Further information can be found at:
www.footscray.vic.edu.au/enrolment-management-plan/
You can find your local school at:
www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au/
Information on the appeal process can be found at: www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/enrolment/policy
The Department policy requires students seeking enrolment on sibling, including stepsiblings, grounds to be residing together at the same permanent address and must be attending the school at the same time.
For Year 7 applications, parents and carers can indicate on the Application for Year 7 Placement form if the student has an older sibling who resides at the same permanent residential address and who will also be enrolled at the school at the same time.
Further information on the policy can be found at: www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/enrolment/guidance/placement-policy
Every student in Victoria has access to their local school. If your child is currently enrolled at Barkly campus but you are also zoned to Pilgrim, then you will have the option to choose. Information on your local campus / school zone can be found at: www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au/
Our campuses enrol only those students that reside in their specific campus zones. If your child is enrolled at either the Pilgrim or Barkly campus, they will be eligible to later attend Kinnear campus. Further information is available at:
The Department of Education and Training has a comprehensive enrolment policy to ensure every student is correctly zoned to their local school. Further information can be found at:
www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/enrolment/policy
There are no plans for any of our campuses to change the year levels they are enrolling. Enrolment boundaries are reviewed annually by the Department of Education and Training. Further information is available at: