Principal’s Welcome
Hello,
I would like to tell you a little about myself and my vision for Bridgetown High School.
I have spent the majority of my teaching career in the South West. I have loved working in small senior high schools, Agricultural Colleges, and larger senior high schools, and now at Bridgetown HS. I am a former English and Drama teacher. I have had a lot of experience working with students at risk, through former roles as Student Services Managers and as the Principal of the Bunbury Behaviour Service Centre. I care about students and their future. I see it as my role to remove barriers for students and enable them to achieve to their full potential.
My vision for Bridgetown High School is this:
- Bridgetown High School is beloved by the local community.
- The entire staff are committed to providing the best quality of service possible.
- There is a positive school culture evident in the relationships between all members of the school community.
One of my first actions as principal was to create a Complaints Policy and an online form for everyone to use to share their concerns with me. This link will take you to that form. I care about what the community thinks of BHS. If you have a concern, please contact me.
Our size has not held us back from ensuring that our students have a wide breadth of courses, including many specialist courses, such as Digitech, Home Economics, Woodwork, Metalwork, Photography, Visual Arts, Music, Drama and Physical Education (Our school participates competitively in the WA District High Schools Country Week in Perth).
One of the advantages of being a smaller high school is that our students receive a higher ratio of teacher to student support (ie. 1:20 instead of 1:32) and our teachers are able to get to know their students very well and provide a more individualised learning program as needed.
We have a range of staff who provide support to students:
- Deputy Principal - oversees the operational aspects of the schoool as well as important academic programs (Gifted and Talented, Follow the Dream).
- Learning Support Coordinator - oversees the Education Assistants and the learning plans for students with special educational needs.
- Student Leadership Coordinator - oversees the students who are involved in the leadership teams for the school.
- School Psychologist - provides one-to-one counselling as well as provides expertise in the school's development of individual plans for students.
- School Chaplain - provides one-to-one counselling, academic support and also supports students with the Breakfast Club.
- School Nurse - provides expertise in the school's monitoring and management planning for students with medical conditions.
- Attendance Officer - provides support to students who are experiencing difficulties with attending school regularly.
- WorkPlace Learning Coordinator - making connections to local businesses that provide work experience opportunities to our students.
We also have ongoing partnerships with many local agencies who provide counselling or mentoring support for our students (Youth Focus, BYA, EdConnect, Jobs South West). These services are crucial to our school as they supplement the services provided by our own staff.
Our students are well prepared for their senior schooling, through rigorous and engaging curriculum as well as through the opportunities to experience work environments in both Year 9 and 10. Many Year 10 students also undertake a certificate in a nationally recognised qualification. These opportunities help to better prepare our students for their future pathways.
Bridgetown High School has very dedicated staff and a positive school culture. It is a pleasure to be serving this school and its community.
With thanks,
Ms Kelly Anderson