High school is a time where your child will undergo rapid changes. Articles on parenting ideas are available HERE. At Melville SHS we have a great team of compassionate, highly skilled staff who will make it their business to look after the individual needs of your child.
Please consult the Melville SHS website calendar HERE to find out details of our next school tour so you can arrange a visit to see our facilities and ask questions about your child’s transition to high school first hand. The more you know, the less you will worry!
Smartrider/Academy/Library Card
All students will receive an Academy Card that is used to access the Learning Resource Centre (Library), as identification and is also their student Smartrider concession card. For more information about the student Smartrider card visit the Transperth website at: www.transperth.wa.gov.au. The cards cost $5 and are included in each student’s Contributions and Charges account. Students will receive the card soon after they have started the school year. Please contact the school or the Transperth Info Line on 13 62 13 if you have any further questions.
Care of Property
Money and other valuables should not be left in unattended school bags, classrooms or change rooms. If valuables must be brought to school they are the responsibility of the student at all times. All articles of clothing and personal materials should be clearly marked.
Large sums of money, jewellery, iphones/ipods/mobile phones and other items of value should NOT be brought to school. Jewellery should be worn to a minimum, e.g. necklaces, watch and small earrings. If a student does bring a mobile phone to school the student must accept FULL responsibility for its care and safety. Mobile phones must be turned off and must not be seen or heard during class time. Chewing gum, liquid paper and large textas are banned at all times due to the cost of removing the vandalism and graffiti they can cause.
Lost Property
All lost property is held in Student Services for a period of one term. Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity. To increase the chance that lost property is found, report the loss to Student Services immediately.
Transport
Public transport is widely used by most students and is encouraged. A detailed list of bus services to and from the school is available on the Melville SHS website. It has links to the many direct services and timetables. Buses arrive at approximately 8.30am. School bus stops are located at the front of the school in Potts Street. On Tuesdays, students will be supervised while waiting for the buses to arrive at 3pm due to early closing.
With the increase in numbers of students attending the school, parking difficulties and traffic jams are getting worse. Parents who drive are encouraged to drop students some distance from Potts St or at a bus stop closer to your home. Most of the buses drop the students outside the school or at the overpass, so they don’t have to cross a single road. Bicycle racks are provided next to Student Services for students who wish to ride to school. The enclosure is locked during school hours.
New research has found that carrying a back pack to school (15% of body weight) is good for student health and bone development. Also, getting to school independently helps student confidence and resilience.
Top tips for parents:
- Set a good example by walking or cycling to local places, including school
- Remember if the walk to school is too far, why not park a few blocks from the school and allow your child to walk the rest of the way
- Help your child become familiar with the neighbourhood and identify the safest routes (e.g. where there are safe road crossings)
- Practice and reinforce the skills your child needs to travel safely, such as riding a bike and knowing the road rules
- Slowly build independence by letting your child do things gradually. You could start by parking the car a few blocks from school and allowing them to walk
- Make a plan with your child about possible strategies for when things go wrong, such as getting lost or if a stranger approaches them
- Agree on a plan with your child for the transition towards independence, and set milestones and boundaries
- Encourage kids who have built independence to get themselves to school rather than driving them on the way to work or other destinations
School Newsletter – ‘Melville Matters’
The Melville Matters school newsletter is produced twice a term giving details of school activities, student achievements, P&C, canteen and Student Services news. The newsletter is posted to each family once a term to ensure that all members of the school community are kept informed. Every second edition is emailed so a current email address is important to us.
Editions of Melville Matters are HERE
Intensive English Centre (IEC)
Melville Senior High School hosts an Intensive English Centre, which enrols newly arrived migrant and refugee background students aged 11.5 to 15.5 years. Students are eligible for a 12 to 24 month intensive English program in preparation for entry into mainstream schooling in their local area.
More information in five Languages is HERE
International Fee Paying Student Program
Melville SHS has had numerous international students since 1998 when the program was first introduced. International fee paying students experience an enriching and stimulating learning environment with the opportunity to be part of a vibrant and multicultural school.
The International Fee Paying Student Coordinator is responsible for the management and administration of the international students. All student progress is closely monitored. Attendance is checked regularly to ensure smooth academic progress. The coordinator also maintains regular contact with the teachers to ensure the well-being of students at all times.
More information in five languages is HERE
Student Services
More information is HERE
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Melville Senior High School aims to create a supportive culture and positive learning environment. We recognise student development is different, which means students will be dealt with differently depending on individual circumstances. To achieve these the school will:
- Create a school culture that emphasises the importance of education and encourages learning, task mastery and effort.
- Facilitate a learning environment that allows students and teachers responsibility over learning and teaching and that increases a sense of belonging.
- Encourage student centred learning and instruction.
- Model and communicate the value of lifelong learning.
- Create classrooms that are caring, supportive and where everyone is valued and respected.
- Develop resilience, build responsibility and exercise emotional regulation.
- Work restoratively to address and resolve conflict where possible.
School Board
The School Board is formed to provide a formal means of achieving community participation in schools to ensure they are responsive to local needs. The functions of the board include:
- Taking part in establishing and reviewing the school’s objectives.
- Prioritising general policy directions of the school.
- Taking part in financial planning (including our budget).
- Taking part in the evaluation of the school’s performance.
- Determining the school’s dress code.
- Promoting the school in the community.
Parent and Citizen Association
The P&C administers, (through an Executive Committee and a number of sub-committees) the operations of the canteen, the swimming pool, improvements to the school environment and promotion of the school to the wider community.
There is always room on these committees for new parents and interested members of the community. Your participation is always welcomed and appreciated. The P&C also fund improvements to the student facilities at school and over the past few years has funded many initiatives including air conditioning, computers, PA systems, uniforms and blazers, sporting trips, media equipment and stage sets.
School Dental Service
The School Dental Service (Located at Caralee Community School) continues to provide free general and preventative dental care for all enrolled students in Year 7 to 11. Your child can continue to go to the same Dental Therapy Centre attended in primary school, or you can contact a new centre if it is more convenient. Please advise the Dental Therapy Centre if you have changed your address so you can be posted a recall reminder. If you are not already enrolled, it is not too late to enrol now. Ring for an appointment. The address and phone number of your nearest Dental Therapy Centres is listed on the website under the heading “Schools-Government, Primary, Junior Primary and Pre-Primary”.
Staff Car Park
For the safety of all concerned, parents are NOT TO USE the staff car park to drop off or pick up students. Upper school students who drive to school CANNOT park inside the school grounds or on Potts St but may use the free parking in Winfield Road.
Emergency Services Cadet Corps
The school has a branch of the Emergency Services Cadet Corps. Students who join can become involved in First Aid and Emergency Response training, combined with adventure activities. For further information contact Jo Daley on 6274 1300 or Joanne.Daley@education.wa.edu.au.