Gorokan High School

Infobox Aust school
name= Gorokan High School
motto= "And Joy in the Making"
established = 1976
type= Comprehensive government high school
principal = Les Clark
city = Gorokan
state = New South Wales
country = Australia flagicon|Australia
coordinates = coord|33|14|32|S|151|30|31|E|display=inline,title
enrolment = ~1,100
colours = Red and Blue
homepage= [http://www.gorokan.hs.education.nsw.gov.au/ gorokan.hs.education.nsw.gov.au]
campus=

Gorokan High School, is a secondary school located in Gorokan, New South Wales, Australia. Established in 1976, the school was housed in temporary buildings on the site of what was to later become Gorokan Public School. It moved to its current location in 1977. Current student enrollment totals more than 1,100. [ [http://www.education.net.au/profile/3527/GOROKAN-HIGH-SCHOOL "Gorokan High School"] , National Education Directory, 2007]

Curriculum

The school has developed programs to help raise achievement among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, a program that has been successful in raising scores on achievement tests through increased teacher, student and parent involvement. [ [http://www.daretolead.edu.au/cache14/STORY_GOROKANHS.html Dare to Lead profile for Gorokan High School] , accessed May 1, 2007.] In 2008 it was announced the school would become part selective, offering 60 selective places to year 7 students from 2010. [Central Coast Express Advocate, Wednesday, October 1, 2008. p.9.]

Online mentoring

Gorokan has successfully trialled the Smith Family's OnTrack online mentoring program which has produced a marked increase in interest, including pupils arriving at school early. [Taffel, Jacqui. [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/19/1063625208511.html?from=storyrhs "Buddy system"] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", September 20, 2003. Accessed May 2, 2007.]

Extracurricular activities

The school's wind orchestra has been recognized internationally for its performances. [ [http://gorokan-high.nsw.edu.au/faculties/prospectus/prospectus%20index.htm Gorokan High School: Prospectus] , accessed May 1, 2007.] The 57-member wind orchestra was invited to perform at the 1999 Banff International Festival of School Orchestras and Bands, where the orchestra was chosen to make the final performance, for which they received the festival's only standing ovation. [ [http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA19990525031 GOROKAN HIGH SCHOOL WIND ORCHESTRA] , Parliament of New South Wales, Private member statement made on may 25, 1999, acceesed May 1, 2007.] In 1994 the band went to the World Resort Expo in Japan. They played at this as well as the opening to Kansai International Airport The wind orchestra was going to take a 2003 tour of China however the SARS outbreak prevented the trip. [Bellinger, Caroline. [http://www.newstext.com.au/docs/DTM/2003/get.jsp?docid=DTM-20030325-8-003-4070522V7@NSW-METRO-2004-2003 "Musicians tune into China trip"] , "The Daily Telegraph (Australia)", March 25, 2003. Accessed May 1, 2007.]

Water conservation initiative

The school successfully bid to the Australian Government Water Fund for over $A45,000 for a water conservation initiative that will save 442,000 litres of water each year. [ [http://www.communitywatergrants.gov.au/grants/round1/nsw-1-2999.html "Round 1 Community Water Grants Projects"] , Australian Government Water Fund, August 29, 2006, accessed May 2, 2007.]

New skill centre

Gary Hardgrave, Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, on 17 January 2005 announced $A350,000 funding for the construction of a skill centre at Gorokan. [ [http://www.dest.gov.au/ministers/hardgrave/H_Media.asp?y=2005&m=01 "$350,000 for new skill centre"] , Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, 17 January 2005]

References