WELCOME! This Web page contains some information about this school to help parents who are planning to apply for enrolment in a secondary school. 'Our goal is to provide positive experiences and improved learning outcomes for all students within a safe, supportive and caring environment.' PRINCIPAL : MS JUDY O'BRIEN Ross Smith Secondary Hampstead Road Northfield 5085 Phone: (08) 8261 5744  Fax: (08) 8261 9634 WebPage:    http://www.rossmithhs.sa.edu.au/ email:  rssadmin@rossmithhs.sa.edu.au/ ROSS SMITH SECONDARY Ross Smith Secondary was formed in 1996 through the amalgamation of Nailsworth and Northfield High Schools and is located on the former Northfield site, on Hampstead Road. The school produces the following information materials that can be made available on request to the school. • Parent information brochures. • Regular parent newsletters. • Curriculum booklets describing all subjects taught. • A yearly magazine. Our Home page and Web site is regularly updated. Individual tours, or group tours can be arranged for parents or family during the school day. Please ring the receptionist beforehand. You will be able to observe classes at work and you will be welcome to see the equipment and facilities at our school. In the second half of the school year, opportunities will be given for Year 7 students who are enrolled at the school for next year to visit. A parent information meeting will be held towards the end of Term 4. At other year levels enrolling studentsmay visit, with parents, for a school tour. In addition to the normal bus routes on Hampstead Road, we are serviced by 4 extra buses, as well as a Circle Line 100 on Redward Avenue. SUBJECT CHOICES All year 8 students study in each of the eight curriculum areas. They are English, Maths, Science, Society and Environment, Technology, the Arts, Health and Physical Education, and either German or Japanese. In years 9 and 10 students will continue with a range of subjects across the same 8 areas. They will make choices of thesubjects they study within the Arts, Health & Phys Ed, Language Other than English and Technology. Vietnamese can be studied from year 10 to year 12. In the Senior School a wide range of courses, leading to the completion of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), is offered. We look to prepare students for a wide choice of career options. All students receive individual counselling (parents/caregivers involvement is welcomed) to decide courses at each year level. SPECIAL CURRICULUM PROGRAMS Our school provides a variety of programs to cater for children of all abilities and needs. These include: • A middle schooling focus in years 8 & 9 with teachers supporting students in their learning and home group program. • Vocational Education and workplace learning through programs delivered in association with the Torrens Valley, Adelaide and Regency TAFEs and the Centre for the Performing Arts - in Tourism, Hospitality, Agriculture, the Arts, Work Education, English, Legal Studies and Technology. • Technology Across the Curriculum programs using up to date computers in our 9 computing rooms which are linked through a cabled network. Full access to the Internet. • Classes and individual help in English as a Second Language.  An Aboriginal Education Worker and an Aboriginal Education Teacher to support Aboriginal students in their learning. • Adaptive and remedial help for students through Negotiated Curriculum Plans (NCPs). • A LINK program with Regency Centre School has been in place since 1997. • In 1999 the school has been resourced through the Commonwealth Literacy program as well as various Curriculum programs from the Department for Education Training and Employment EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES A range of activities is available, including • intra-school and inter-school sport, • musical groups (rock, choral, orchestra), • camps and excursions, including theatre visits • being an "Enterprise" school • "E-Team", "Young Film Makers" awards, "Business Alive" and "Young Achievement Australia" • year level and general SRC barbecues These activities enrich the more formal side of education available to students at the school. HOMEWORK IS COMPULSORY IN ALL CLASSES ASSESSMENT PROCEDURESThe Assessment and Reporting Policy at Ross Smith Secondary is a part of our commitment to Quality Assurance practices. All reports are individually computerised. Opportunities are given throughout the year for parents to request interviews to discuss their studentâs progress. Assessment in years 8 to 10 is based on the Profiles for Australian Schools. Key Competencies are reported on twice a year. Much of the schoolâs curricular work is taught in semesters. In the junior school, mid-semester reports are given at the end of terms I and III. Full end of semester reports are given at the end of terms II and IV. In the Senior School we report each term following the guidelines set down by the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of SouthAustralia (SSABSA). COUNSELLING The home-class teacher provides support for all students in their home group. Three student counsellors are available to assist with any personal or study problems, and career information. The Principal, the Deputy Principal and the Assistant Principal are available to talk with students and parents who have concerns over any aspect of school life. SPORT We pride ourselves in providing many opportunities for students to actively participate in sport at the school. • Inter-school sport (voluntary participation): Teams are entered each term in the Vista Schools sporting competitions and can include athletics, baseball, basketball, cricket, cross-country, football, golf, hockey, netball, orienteering, rugby, squash, soccer, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, touch and volleyball. • The school enters many Knockout competitions and Lightning carnivals in the above sports, both locally and on a statewide basis, according to student interest. • Athletics carnivals are arranged for students on an inter-class basis within year levels. These emphasise participation and involvement for all students. We offer a disciplined classroom learning environment, and friendly caring supervision through a wide range of activities. We place emphasis on self-discipline and on regular attendance, punctuality, courtesy and cooperation. Parent support is regarded as essential. SOME SPECIAL FEATURES • Mini- Farm This is a unique facility for inner metropolitan students. All junior students undertake Agriculture studies and opportunity exists for senior students to study in this area as well. • The Arts A modern Music and Drama Centre provides the feature around which the high standard of performance to a range of audiences can occur. Teaching in the Arts includes Art, Drama, Media and Music. • Languages Other than English The school offers studies in German, Japanese and Vietnamese as a part of the curriculum. • English as a Second Language This is offered as an alternative to English at all year levels. • Cultural exchanges Sister school exchanges with Kamisu High school in Japan occur annually. These can be short, medium term, or for a full year. The visit of students from Japan in July involves many student, parent and community members in exciting activities. • Vocational Education and Training (VET) The school offers many VET options including special courses in retail, hospitality, community health, and building and construction which lead to accreditation from a range of subjects within SACE studies. STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND PARTICIPATION Student participation in school activities is encouraged. Two student bodies support this involvement. The Prefects are elected from those students studying at years 12 or 13. Their main role is that of service to the school. They are involved in fundraising activities, assisting at sports carnivals, and organising the annual school formal, as well as regular student assemblies. The Student Representative Council has a role in the decision making processes of the school. Each home class group, from Years 8 to Senior School, elects a representative who then is a member of a year level SRC. An executive is formed from representatives from each year level and this group is charged with presenting the views of the student body and has membership on several staff, parent and student committees. SCHOOL UNIFORM The wearing of school uniform is expected. The school has a uniform designed in the school colours of ink navy blue and bottle green. This uniform can be ordered and purchased through the school uniform shop. School policy on this matter has been established by the parent body and sets out specific uniform that may be worn. Students are encouraged to take pride in their personal appearance and in their school. PHYSICAL FACILITIES Ross Smith Secondary has spacious and beautiful grounds. The buildings are mostly of solid construction and rooms have reverse cycle air-conditioning. A significant program of facilities development and upgrading has taken place over the past three years. • The new David Campbell Drama and Music Centre, with its large performance space, was completed in 1998. • The Technology area has been upgraded and extended to include clothing and textiles, electronics, photography, as well as metal and wood workshops, plus information technology rooms. • There are 9 major computer classrooms around the school including a CAD (Computer Assisted Design Laboratory), a Digital Imaging Workshop for photography and a Computer Keyboard Laboratory for Music. • The Home Economics has two modern kitchens • There is a well equipped Resource Centre. • The Gymnasium is a focus for the Physical Education programs and as well there are two well kept ovals, tennis and basketball courts. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT The School Council is the main parent body. Parents are also involved in a number of various committees in the school, including Finance and Curriculum. Parent helpers are welcome to assist in the canteen or as LAP tutors. We hold a range of parent/caregiver information evenings about educational issues throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to keep in close contact with staff at the school over their child's progress and well-being     Staff will be available to talk with parents and tours of the school will be conducted. Tours will also be conducted during terms 2 & 3 on Tuesday mornings at 11.00AM. Parents are asked to telephone the school to make a booking in advance. Back to our home page...