## 1. Overview
Queanbeyan High School is a public NSW high school serving students in Queanbeyan and surrounding communities. The school emphasises inclusive education, student wellbeing, and strong community links, with a balanced focus on academics, sport, and the arts.
The campus supports a diverse student body at a medium size, with class sizes typically in the low-to-mid 20s. The atmosphere is welcoming and collegial, designed to help students feel supported, valued and able to participate in a wide range of learning experiences.
## 2. Academics & Learning
- Academic strengths: STEM, English literacy and language development, and leadership through student-driven initiatives are notable areas. The school also emphasises broad literacy and numeracy foundations across year levels.
- Special programs: Gifted and Talented education and opportunities for accelerated learning are available where appropriate; pathways into senior study and career education are supported.
- NAPLAN trends: NAPLAN results show stable to improving performance over time, with ongoing focus on closing gaps in literacy and numeracy across cohorts.
- Student-teacher ratios: Approximately 1 teacher for every 20–25 students, enabling a degree of individual attention within a supportive classroom setting.
- Support for diverse learners: Dedicated support for EAL learners and students with additional needs (SEN), including targeted literacy/numeracy assistance and in-class differentiation.
## 3. Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
- Sports offered: A broad range of sports supporting different codes and activities (e.g., football codes, basketball, cricket, netball, athletics, swimming) to suit diverse interests.
- Strong teams or achievements: Students regularly participate in regional competitions and carnivals, with school teams representing the community at local and regional levels.
- Music, arts, drama programs: Active ensembles and drama productions provide performance opportunities throughout the year.
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other interest clubs are available to extend learning outside the classroom.
- Partnerships: Collaboration with local clubs, academies, and community organizations to support competitions, coaching, and development opportunities.
## 4. Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear anti-bullying policies and proactive wellbeing programs support a safe, respectful school culture.
- House system: A house-based pastoral care structure helps foster belonging, friendly competition, and peer support.
- Counsellors / wellbeing officers: Access to guidance counsellors and wellbeing staff to support academic, social, and emotional wellbeing.
- Transition support for new students: Orientation programs, buddy systems, and transition activities help new students settle in smoothly.
## 5. Facilities
- Sports grounds: Multiple sports fields and courts supporting a variety of physical activities.
- Libraries: A well-equipped library serves as a study hub and resource center.
- Science labs: Modern science facilities to support practical experiments and inquiry.
- Music/performing arts centers: Dedicated spaces for music rehearsals, ensembles, and drama activities.
- Tech/innovation labs: Contemporary spaces for technology and digital learning projects.
- Cafeteria: On-site dining facilities with options for students.
- Updated playgrounds: Well-maintained outdoor spaces for breaks and informal learning.
## 6. School Values & Community Culture
- School values / mission: A focus on respect, responsibility, integrity and effort, underpinning day-to-day learning and school life.
- Leadership style: Distributed leadership with opportunities for student voice and involvement in school decision-making and activities.
- Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct with consistent expectations and positive reinforcement for standards of conduct.
- Community reputation: Known for a welcoming, inclusive community that values family partnerships and community involvement.
- Diversity & inclusion: Strong commitment to equity and inclusion, with supports in place for EAL learners and students from diverse backgrounds.
## 7. School Logistics & Daily Operations
- School hours: Typical school day structure with start and finish times published in the school calendar.
- Before/after school care: Supervision or programs are available through the school or approved local providers; details are published by the school.
- Uniform requirements: Official school uniform is required, with guidance on appropriate dress and grooming.
- Transport (train/bus routes): Access to local bus routes and stops; information on transport to and from school is available from the school and NSW public transport resources.
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen or food service providing meals and snacks during the day.
- Fees (low/medium/high ranges): As a public school, there is no tuition, but there may be voluntary contributions and charges for some excursions or activities.
## 8. Enrolment & Admissions
- 11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Check eligibility and local intake arrangements with the school.
- Submit an enrolment application during the relevant intake period; provide required documents (proof of identity/residency, immunisation records, academic records as applicable).
- Complete any program-specific steps (where relevant) and await confirmation of placement and start date.
- Receive the timetable and introductory information before the new term.
- 12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- Waiting lists may apply for certain year levels or programs; local intake priorities apply. Families are notified if a place becomes available and the enrolment is processed in order of readiness and vacancy.
- 13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- For general enrolment, there are typically no entrance tests or interviews. Some special programs or selective pathways may have assessments or discussions to determine suitability.
- 14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Yes, subject to space and scheduling availability. Prospective transfer students should contact the enrolment office, provide required documents, and coordinate a mid-year start date if feasible.
## 9. Frequently Ask Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- Parents value the school’s inclusive culture, strong wellbeing support, broad co-curricular options, and focus on balanced development across academics, sport and arts.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who value a collaborative, supportive environment with opportunities to participate in a wide range of programs and activities typically thrive here.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- Extended learning includes STEM and English/language programs, Gifted and Talented opportunities, leadership experiences, regional sport teams, arts ensembles, drama productions, robotics, coding, debating and more.
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Communication typically occurs via a dedicated school app or portal, newsletters, emails, and regular notices from year advisors and staff.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- A student-centred, differentiated approach with an emphasis on literacy and numeracy foundations, practical inquiry, and the use of technology to support learning.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Through learning support teams, targeted literacy/numeracy interventions, small-group assistance, and access to guidance counsellors and teachers.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Additional tutoring, after-school help sessions, and targeted intervention plans are available to support students facing academic challenges.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (Duplicate)
- See above: app/portal, newsletters, emails, and year-level updates.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes are mid-20s, with teachers differentiating instruction and providing targeted support within and outside class time.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A wide range of sports, music and arts programs, plus clubs such as robotics, chess, coding and debating.
- 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?
- Integration of digital devices and resources, with opportunities for students to engage in coding, digital projects and research-based learning.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and stops, accessible facilities, and information on transport arrangements via the school and local transit services.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- No tuition for NSW public schooling; potential costs include voluntary contributions and fees for excursions or optional programs.
## 10. Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Inclusive, supportive culture with strong wellbeing and student support.
- Broad co-curricular options across sports, arts and clubs.
- Reasonable class sizes enabling some individual attention.
- Active community partnerships and opportunities for leadership.
- Solid facilities across science, arts, and technology.
- Cons
- Like many public schools, some programs or spaces may have limited capacity or waiting lists for popular options.
- Transport accessibility can vary for families outside the immediate area.
- Uniform requirements and voluntary contributions may represent ongoing costs for families.
- Mid-year transfers depend on space and can be constrained by timetable needs.
