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William Ross State High School

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Enrolment management plan

Background
Rationale
Enrolment capacity of school
Local catchment area
Enrolment Policy
Enrolment Criteria
Proof of Residency
Acceptance and notification processes
Review
Enrolment Management Committee

Background

William Ross State High SchoolWilliam Ross State High School is the third largest of seven state secondary schools located in the Townsville-Thuringowa area.

Student enrolment at William Ross State High School has increased every year since 1998. A significant contributing factor to the enrolment growth has been the development of programs to support students' academic, emotional, social and physical development.

Particular school initiatives in these areas that have contributed to the development of a specific William Ross State High School identity and culture include:

  1. The Leading Learner Program (Years 8-10) for academically advanced students. Caters for 15% of Junior School students.
  2. The RHINOS Sports Academy (Years 8-12) for elite school athletes. Caters for 20% of the school population across seven selected sports.
  3. Our Contemporary Music Program offered to Senior students with talent and interest in learning more about the music industry.
  4. Our Student Care Team which is dedicated to supporting student wellbeing. This networked self-managing team is comprised of Deputy Principal (2), Head of Junior School, Head of Senior School, Guidance Officer, HOSES, CEC, School Based Police Officer, School Based Health Nurse, Defence Schools Transition Aide, Chaplain and Receptionist.
  5. Our Academic Mentor Program (Years 11-12) for academic high achievers. This program supports around 10% of students in the Senior School.
  6. Our curriculum (Years 8-12) that has a vertically inclusive component. This allows students to undergo 'accelerated placement' eg Year 10 enrolled in a Senior subject; enrolment in a University subject.

Enrolment data indicates that these programs and initiatives are central to the enrolment decisions of many students from outside of the school's defined catchment area.

The Enrolment Management Plan must allow for the continuing development of these programs.  It is also important that William Ross State High School's reputation as a 'comprehensive' school that caters for all sections of the community are maintained.

An Enrolment Management Plan will allow the school to grow at the rate that is determined by the demographics of its defined catchment area would a negative impact on neighbouring State High Schools.

A continued flow of students into William Ross State High Schools from other State High School's catchment areas would impact negatively on the future enrolment of those other schools.

The continued growth of William Ross State High School over the past six years has placed a considerable strain on the staff and resources of the school. Moderating this will allow the school to consolidate its resource based and curriculum programs.

Rationale

William Ross State High Schoolrecognises as its prime obligation the provision of access to an appropriate educational service for students resident within this community as defined by its local catchment area.

Because of enrolment capacity and growth William Ross State High School may be unable to meet this obligation in future, unless action is taken now to manage enrolment.

This plan sets out the conditions under which students may be enrolled into William Ross State High School.

Enrolment capacity of school

The school currently has the capacity to enrol up to 1112 students in 54 classrooms.

Local catchment area

The school's enrolment capacity for students who live outside the local catchment is dependant upon:

The local catchment area is based on equidistance boundaries with other schools. The attached map defines the boundary area for which William Ross State High School is the closest school by trafficable route. Should this capacity change because of changes to road networks, this will be formally notified through the registration and gazettal of an amended plan including the operative date for the new catchment area.

Programs for students with disabilities are regional programs for students whose educational support needs are additional to, or different from, other students. Students who live outside the catchment area and are verified, or likely to be verified with a disability can enrol in the school to attend the program if it is the closest program to their home and meets their individualised need.

Enrolment Policy

All students who reside within the local catchment area and are eligible for enrolment in the educational program offered by the school have a right to enrolment at the school.  The Principal will hold places for students who relocate to within the catchment boundary throughout the school year.

Enrolment of students from outside the local catchment area will be managed to ensure that the total current and forecast enrolments do not exceed the school's current built capacity and where applicable will ensure there is an even spread of students across year levels or class groupings.

The school's enrolment management plan does not replace other departmental policy; for example Safe, Supportive and Disciplined School Environment, nor does it override subsequent determinations regarding built school capacity.

Enrolment Criteria

Students who reside outside the school's local catchment boundary who apply for enrolment at the school will be put on a waiting list in order of receipt of application. Where there is spare capacity, students will be enrolled from the waiting list based on the following criteria and order of priority:

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Proof of Residency

School should select which documentation is required to be produced:

Parents who wish to enrol their child/ren atWilliam Ross State High School under the Enrolment Management Plan will need to demonstrate that the child/ren to be enrolled, reside within the catchment area.  The following documentation may be required if requested by the principal:

Acceptance and notification processes

Applications for admission into Years 8-12 will be accepted each year from the beginning of Term 4 for enrolment to commence from the beginning of Term 1 the following year.

Applications will be recorded in order of receipt.

Applications will remain current only for the year of submission.

Review

All enrolment applications will be considered on merit in accordance with the enrolment criteria.

Parents wishing to have an unsuccessful enrolment application reviewed may seek clarification from the principal. Parents may provide a written submission seeking a review of an unsuccessful enrolment application. This submission should present evidence to substantiate a claim that the stated criteria have not been applied fairly and equitably.

The Enrolment Management Committee will review written submissions and the reply should be in writing within 14 days of submission.

Enrolment Management Committee

The enrolment management committee consists of Principal (Chair)/P&C or School Council Representative/Representative of Executive Director (Schools)/Staff Representative.

Further appeal should be directed to the Executive Director (Schools) whose decision will be final.

Please contact the Principal at William Ross State High School on Tel: (07) 4726 7666 should you wish to discuss, or need further assistance with enrolments.

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This page was last reviewed on 25 Oct 2011

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