Armidale High School places
the needs of its students first. The school believes that
all children have potential and talent. It is the
school's responsibility to develop these to their
maximum.
The school accepts the
professional responsibility to focus on the learning of
students in a variety of settings appropriate to
identified student need.
The school caters for the
personal and pastoral needs of all students. A wide range
of support services is offered through a caring welfare
network to help students in need. This network is
sensitive to the demands placed upon families by the
changing nature of society.
Students are encouraged to
develop a positive self-image, emphasising personal
dignity and respect, both for and from others. As a
result, pride in school, community and nation is
enhanced.
The individuality and
creativity of all students is recognised, respected and
encouraged.
Students experience practical
democracy through their involvement in school decision
making processes.
Students with a positive
self-image will accept responsibility for their own
learning, and will develop concepts of fair play,
sportsmanship and tolerance in conjunction with their
development of moral autonomy.
Students enjoy attending a
school which they perceive as being friendly, safe and
supportive.
Student achievement is
promoted widely within the school and through the media.
The Tradition of Armidale High
School
Armidale High School's tradition
springs from a long history involving a difficult decade of
frustrating negotiation for its establishment which was finally
achieved in 1920 with original buildings occupied in 1923.
Further grounds and buildings were acquired over the next fifty
years. The present area of the school is approximately 20
hectares.
In rural New England where there
is wide emphasis on education, Armidale High School continues the
tradition of producing excellence in Academic, Sporting and
Cultural pursuits. Whatever the talents of the individual, ample
encouragement and opportunity is provided for development of
potential.
The Armidale High School community
is proud of:
our motto: Fortiter,
Fideliter, Feliciter,
the acorn on our badge and
the name of our magazine,
our newsletter, the Oak Leaf
our current colours, burgundy
and navy and the original traditional colours of brown
and gold,
our specially composed school
song,
the impact of fifty years'
connection with student hostels in its formative years,
our spacious, unique grounds
exemplified by Elm Drive,
our main Sports Oval created
as a memorial to Principal, R.B. White who died in
service,
our Memorial Gates, and
our Honour Roll in
recognition and remembrance of the Fallen.
our extensive and proud
alumni
We are proud of outstanding
achievers in political, academic and sporting spheres but no less
so of the majority who contributed to a happy, caring atmosphere
at Armidale High School. We must temper what is valued from the
past with contemporary vision.
A Professional Staff
Teachers are professionals. Their
clients are students, parents and community members. The
professionalism of teachers is reflected continually in:
considering students first at
all times,
always using ethical and
moral guidelines in each course of action
acting according to high
ideals, and
high expectations of both
students and colleagues.
The teacher's success as a
classroom practitioner is crucial in achieving the best possible
educational outcomes.
As professionals, all teachers:
keep abreast of latest
developments in their subject areas and methodologies,
update their awareness of the
perspectives of their areas in relation to the total
curriculum, the school as a community and the community
in which the school is embedded, and
are involved in the decision
making processes within the school.
As a corporate body teachers are:
willing and able to initiate
and implement new and experimental professional
approaches to learning, welfare and management,
supportive and not critical
of colleagues who take professional risks, and
ready to acknowledge the
achievements of others.
Teachers are aware of their roles
within the school and the roles of others. They realise the
importance of maintaining keenness and enthusiasm. They
understand the needs of the school as a whole and frequently go
beyond their role definitions for the success and happiness of
the school.
A Contemporary Curriculum
Armidale High School values a
curriculum that:
reflects the broad values of
Australian society and acknowledges the diverse nature of
that society,
has a focus on learning,
is relevant to the needs of
the Armidale community,
has developed with input from
teachers, the Dept. of Education and Training, students
and the community,
makes full use of resources
in the Armidale and broader community,
recognises and accounts for
the full range of client interests and abilities,
is sufficiently comprehensive
to embrace emotional, social, creative, physical and
academic needs of the students,
caters for the vocational
needs of students where appropriate,
offers a full range of
extra-curricular activities, and,
is subject to formative and
summative evaluation by all people who comprise the
school, and is appropriately modified.
Community Participation
Armidale High School believes that
education is a process in which parents, the school and the wider
community share responsibilities.
The school seeks innovative ways
for future wider community participation.
Parents are consulted and involved
in decisions regarding their children's needs.
The school recognises and values
the quality of resources available in the community and
appreciates the assistance given.
A full range of community support
services is utilised.
The community is invited to play
an active role in all areas of school life including:
curriculum,
welfare,
discipline,
financial management and
budgeting,
management of resources,
public image and promotion of
the school,
planning and policy
development,
recognition of student
achievement,
active involvement in the
school's education programme at AHS and in the community
at large,
