## 1. Overview
Burnie High School is a public high school serving families in Burnie, Tasmania. The school offers a broad secondary education program within a supportive, inclusive community and aims to prepare students for further study, work and life beyond school.
- School type: Public
- School size: Medium
- Class size: Medium; balanced across year levels to support engagement and individual attention
- Atmosphere/culture: Inclusive, nurturing, community-focused with a solid academic focus and a range of sport and extracurricular opportunities
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## 2. Academics & Learning
Burnie High School provides a comprehensive curriculum designed to support students across core disciplines and elective pathways.
- Academic strengths: Core strengths typically span English, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities, with opportunities to pursue electives in the arts, languages, and technology.
- Special programs: A range of options commonly include Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways, leadership development opportunities, and elective/senior subjects to extend learning.
- NAPLAN trends: Recent years have shown stable to improving trends in NAPLAN indicators (reading, writing, numeracy) relative to state benchmarks, with ongoing school-wide focus on targeted literacy and numeracy support.
- Student-teacher ratios: Generally supportive teacher-to-student ratios that enable small-group instruction and individualized assistance where needed.
- Support for diverse learners: Strong emphasis on inclusive education, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and additional learning support for students with diverse needs (SEN).
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## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
Burnie High School supports a broad range of sports and activities, along with vibrant arts and club programs.
- Sports offered: Team and individual sports such as football (soccer), basketball, netball, cricket, athletics, swimming, and tennis are commonly available.
- Strong teams or achievements: Competitive involvement in regional inter-school events with opportunities for standout performances in multiple sports.
- Music, arts, drama programs: Active music and drama programs, with opportunities to perform in ensembles and school productions.
- Clubs: Robotics, coding, chess, debating, and other academic/skill-based clubs are typically offered.
- Partnerships: Engagement with local clubs and regional competitions, fostering opportunities to participate in wider community events and contests.
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## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
Wellbeing and pastoral support are central to the school experience, helping students feel safe and supported.
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies and proactive programs to promote respectful school culture.
- House system: A house framework to build community, belonging, and School identity.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to school-based counselors and wellbeing staff to support mental health, study skills, and personal development.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and transition support to help new students settle in smoothly.
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## 5. Facilities
Facilities at Burnie High School are designed to support a well-rounded student experience and active learning.
- Sports grounds: On-site playing fields and court facilities for multiple sports.
- Libraries: Library spaces available for study, research, and quiet reading.
- Science labs: Equipped laboratories for biology, chemistry, physics and related STEM activities.
- Music/performing arts centers: spaces for ensembles, rehearsals and performances.
- Tech/innovation labs: Areas for technology, coding, robotics and creative digital projects.
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or food service for student meals and breaks.
- Updated playgrounds: Outdoor spaces designed for recreation and break periods.
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## 6. School Values & Community Culture
The school emphasises a values-driven culture and a positive learning environment.
- School values / mission: Focus on respect, responsibility, resilience, and collaboration to build a supportive school community.
- Leadership style: Inclusive leadership with opportunities for student voice and participation in school decisions.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct and consistent behavior expectations to foster a safe environment.
- Community reputation: Known for a welcoming, connected school community with ongoing family and local partnerships.
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive education and diverse student needs being met with appropriate supports.
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## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
Key practical details help families plan around school life.
- School hours: Start and end times align with typical Tasmanian secondary schedules; check current term calendar for exact times.
- Before/after school care: After-school programs or supervised activities are available in some cases, with partnerships to local community services.
- Uniform requirements: School uniform policy with specified attire for daily wear and excursions.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Access to local bus services and school transport options; bus routes connect Burnie and surrounding areas.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch options available.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): Public high schools in Tasmania generally have minimal mandatory fees with optional charges for certain activities, materials, or excursions.
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## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Enrolment typically involves completing the official school/education department application, submitting required documentation (proof of identity, residency, previous school records), and meeting any published deadlines. There may be an annual intake window for new students.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Some year levels may operate a waiting list if demand exceeds available places. The school/education department will advise on the queue process and expected timelines.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- Entry requirements are typically focused on eligibility and documentation. Some year levels or programs may require an interview or discussion about interests and needs, but this varies by year and program.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Mid-year transfers are considered based on space and alignment with the curriculum. Parents should contact the school as early as possible to discuss availability and the transfer process.
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## 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A welcoming, inclusive community with a balanced focus on academics, wellbeing, and opportunities across sports, arts and clubs.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who value community, participate actively in class, enjoy a range of subjects, and engage in clubs and sports thrive here.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- A broad curriculum with electives, VET pathways, sports teams, music/drama ensembles, robotics, coding, debating and leadership opportunities.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular updates via newsletters, emails, a student portal, and parent-teacher meetings; timely notices about events and activities.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- Student-centered, with differentiation to meet diverse needs, emphasis on core skills, and opportunities for project-based learning and real-world applications.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Targeted literacy and numeracy support, learning support staff, EAL assistance, and small-group or intervention programs.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Access to counsellors, learning support staff, and tailored supports to boost reading, writing, numeracy and executive function skills.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (duplicate)
- See above: newsletters, portal, meetings, and direct contact with teachers and administration.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes are designed to allow meaningful instruction and some individual attention, with additional support available through targeted interventions.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A wide range across sports, arts, clubs (robotics, coding, chess, debating) and community partnerships.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts spaces, tech/innovation labs, cafeteria, and updated outdoor spaces.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Emphasis on digital literacy, classroom tech integration, and access to devices and online resources as part of learning.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and potential school transport options; facilities designed to be accessible for students.
- What are typical school fees or additional costs?
- Generally low with optional costs for certain activities, excursions, or materials; uniform costs are required.
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## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Inclusive, supportive community
- Broad curriculum with multiple pathways (academic, VET, arts, sports)
- Active extracurriculars and sports programs
- Accessible wellbeing and student support
- Strong local connections and partnerships
- Cons
- Space and wait times can occur for popular programs or year levels
- Transport options may vary for some regions around Burnie
- As a public school, some specialized programs may have limited availability compared to selective or private settings
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