Overview
What makes the Sowilo experience different for our students, is the use of Individualised Education Plans (IEP) and a targeted teaching approach.
We realise that each student’s educational need is unique and requires an approach that targets specific areas which aim to close educational gaps and build the foundation of good literacy skills.
This individually driven student-centric approach is highly effective and allows the student to set realistic short and long-term academic goals.
Goals that are self-paced, rather than the all-inclusive approach seen in mainstream schools, where many students may fall behind, as they cannot grasp fundamental concepts.
This is due to the curriculum being designed for the year group, and not the individual, where curriculum is delivered at a much faster pace and volume. The IEP process ensures there is an increased appreciation of individual differences.
Enhanced support is provided in the classroom via Education Assistants, as well as the use of various educational resources.
Overall, the IEP process ensures best practice within the classroom and the assurance that the student’s educational needs are being met.
Areas of Study
English
The study of English is central to the learning and development of all young Australians. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers, and informed citizens.
The English learning area at Sowilo CHS is built upon and aligns with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), as do the assessing and reporting principles.
Maths
The Mathematics curriculum is linked to the Australian Curriculum, appropriate to the student’s learning ability, and involves Explicit and Direct Instruction.
The lessons are devised to engage all students through full participation and involves daily review of the content and guided practice to ensure all students have a firm grasp on what has been taught.
Humanities And Social Sciences: HASS
The Humanities and Social Sciences subjects (Geography, History, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business) are taught according to the Australian Curriculum and includes a range of skills that can be represented broadly as questioning and researching, analysing, evaluating, communicating, and reflecting.
Science
Science is taught according to the Australian curriculum, with topics that students are interested in and will engage with.
The focus is on introducing new knowledge, with students been exposed to science process and investigation.
Teaching also prioritises literacy and numeracy skills in a Science context.
The teaching of Science is also approached through a Specialised Sustainability program at Sowilo CHS that engages not only specific learning phases, but individual students as well.
Health and Physical Education
This learning area is taught in a multi faceted approach, with teaching programs guided by the Australian curriculum but informed by the student’s needs.
Included in the teaching of Health includes life skills such as cooking and fitness. Protective Behavoiur programs are delivered on a dual, whole -school approach with teachers delivering the “Keeping Safe” program and welfare staff delivering the Sowilo Protective Behaviours program.
The focus of sport is social participation, fun and skill development which contributes to student well being.
PAT Adaptive Testing
Each student who is enrolled at Sowilo Community High School will engage in a personalised testing pathway (PAT Adaptive testing), where both Numeracy and Literacy skills are tested.
This data enables the student to be placed in an appropriate learning phase that meets their learning and social/emotional needs and allows for targeted teaching where it is needed most.
Teaching at Sowilo CHS is mostly designed for students who have fallen behind in their schooling or present with significant gaps to their peers.
WACE Accreditation
Sowilo does not deliver a full Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) to senior students.
Students are given opportunity to participate in the NAPLAN and OLNA. Senior students can enrol in WACE year 11, Foundation and General English and Foundation and General Essential Mathematics courses only, VET Delivered to Secondary Student courses (VETDSS) and Endorsed Programs on offer.
Students are counselled on the best career pathway to undertake when leaving Sowilo CHS, which includes assistance with employment, apprenticeships and TAFE studies.
The Arts, Digital Technologies and Languages
These subjects areare supported on the timetable through whole school project based teaching, and interactive electives offered to all students.
These are holistically planned to support school projrcts, trips, and individual student learning needs.
Individualised Programs
Sowilo is a leading school in terms of pioneering integrated cross-curricular programs.
We aim to create fun and exciting subjects such as Life Skills, Protective Behaviours and Community Service that engage students and deliever a variety of English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and Art skills.