All NSW public school students have a right to an inclusive learning environment and to feel happy and safe at school.
Aboriginal student support
We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students to help them be successful learners.
We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and carers, as well as community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.
The Aboriginal Education Policy confirms the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Epping Boys High School is guided by DEC policy and the legislative framework within which the policy was developed, such as the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act and Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act. DEC policies and relevant legislation have been incorporated into teaching and learning programs, ensuring that lessons are appropriately targeted, and sensitive to indigenous cultures in Australia.
Content related to Aboriginal culture, spirituality, changing rights and freedoms, and land rights, are taught in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner. A variety of resources are sourced for each KLA to embed Aboriginal teaching components into specific units of work, both mandatory and optional. Teaching and learning programs contain units with an Aboriginal perspective. ‘Acknowledgement of Country' continues to be an important part of all formal ceremonies and meetings. Information is presented to the student body during both Reconciliation and NAIDOC weeks.
Aboriginal students are supported through a case management structure, during regular attendance management meetings, Learning Support Team (LST) meetings and Welfare Management Team meetings. These teams are comprised of the deputy principal, year adviser head teacher welfare, school counsellor, the learning and support teacher, English as an additional language/dialect (EAL/D) teacher, and where appropriate, outside personnel and agencies such as home school liaison officer.
Epping Boys High School has developed positive lines of communication with the Aboriginal Liaison Officers to support and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal families.
Multicultural education
Our school welcomes students, families and community members from all cultural backgrounds. We appreciate difference and diversity and aim to provide a culturally inclusive and responsive environment that benefits all students.
Our teaching and learning programs develop intercultural understanding, promote positive relationships and enable all students to participate as active Australian and global citizens. Our school fosters student wellbeing and community harmony by implementing anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies that encourage engagement by parents and carers from all backgrounds.
The Multicultural Education Policy outlines the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to providing opportunities that enable all students to achieve equitable education and social outcomes and participate successfully in our culturally diverse society.
The Anti-Racism Policy confirms the department’s commitment to rejecting all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools and eliminating expressions of racism in its learning and working environments.
For more information refer to:
Supporting English language learners
Learning English is essential for success at school and effective participation in Australian society. We can provide specialist support to help students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).
For more information refer to: EAL/D education.
Supporting refugee students
Schools offer safety, support and security to help refugee students adjust to life in Australia and participate successfully in education. Targeted support strategies are provided to assist refugee students in NSW public schools.
For more information refer to: Supporting refugee students.
Special needs support
At Epping Boys, all staff have a commitment to improving the outcomes of all our students. The Learning and Support Team identifies, assesses and supports students with a wide range of needs. Our Learning and Support Teacher (LaST), as part of the Middle School Learning and Support Team, works closely with partner primary schools to identify learning needs before students begin at the school. Results from testing, such as NAPLAN, helps to identify both individual and general needs. These results, together with staff consultation and a range of other assessment tools such as MYAT and initial assessments by the Learning and Support teacher, guide the level and nature of support offered within the school.
Students are assisted via an individual program where resources permitted, or within a small group or by a team teaching model. The class teacher is joined by the LaST, or one of our School Learning Support Officers (SLSO). Students enrolled under the Integration Funding program are another valued part of our school community, and are supported by the Learning and Support Team, depending on the specific nature of their needs.
The Multilit program, a research initiative of Macquarie University, targets students with specific literacy needs. This has resulted in improved literacy achievement for the selected students involved in the program.
Support is also provided through the Homework Centre. This affords an opportunity for all students to seek help with assessments, homework or to catch up on classwork. All students were invited to take advantage of this program.
Fundamental numeracy workshops are run with a small number of students as part of a short-term project. This project targets selected student needs as identified by NAPLAN results and individual testing.
Our team works collaboratively with all staff designing appropriate programs and upskilling them with the aim of providing the best education possible to all boys in our school.
The Autism Support Unit at Epping Boys High has expanded to three classes. All placements are filled throughout the year, and as a result the Unit operates at full capacity with 21 boys. The focus for these boys has been post school options to ensure that they are ready and equipped with the skills necessary for life after school. The boys are active in many events and activities throughout the school including the athletics and swimming carnivals, the Network Café, Visual Arts excursions and camps.
Many of the boys successfully venture out into mainstream classes across faculties, based on their individual strengths and interests. All teachers in the school support the inclusion of the Autism Support Unit students in their classrooms. The inclusion of the students into mainstream classes and activities provides vital social and academic opportunities essential for the students' individual success at school and in the future.
Available to assist the international and non-English speaking background students are the international students co-ordinator, the home school liaison officer, counsellor, EALD teachers and EALD support teachers, year advisers and all staff. Fundamentals of English classes are offered before school, as well as the Homework Club on Monday afternoons. The support people provide guidance, academic support, and oversee well-being and attendance monitoring.
Learning support
The school’s learning and support team plays a key role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of students with additional learning and support needs, including disability.
The team:
- supports teachers in identifying and responding to the additional learning needs of students
- facilitates and coordinates a whole-school approach to improving the learning outcomes of every student
- coordinates planning processes and resourcing for students with additional learning and support needs
- designs and implements the support required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
- develops collaborative partnerships with the school, parents and carers, as well as other professionals and the wider school community.
For more information on programs and services to help students with additional learning and support needs visit Disability, learning and support.
At Epping Boys, all staff have a commitment to improve the outcomes of all our students. The Learning and Support Team identifies, assesses and supports students with a wide range of needs. Our Learning and Support Teacher (LaST), as part of the Middle School Learning and Support Team, works closely with partner primary schools to identify learning needs before students begin at the school. Results from testing, such as NAPLAN, helps to identify both individual and general needs. These results, together with staff consultation and a range of other assessment tools such as MYAT and initial assessments by the Learning and Support teacher, guides the level and nature of support offered within the school. These staff personally assist student with additional learning needs. In addition, within classes, teachers make accommodations for students to ensure every student can attain successful learning outcomes.
Autism Unit
Epping Boys High School offers an Autism Support class. This specialised teaching and learning program incorporates learning about social skills and attending excursions to assist in integrating students into some mainstream classes.
Anti-bullying
Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in NSW schools.
The NSW anti-bullying website brings together information and resources for teachers, students, parents and carers. It helps to identify, prevent and respond effectively to student bullying, including online bullying. It provides information about online safety and what you can do if your child has been bullied, witnessed bullying or been involved in bullying.
For more information on anti-bullying strategies for NSW public schools refer to the department’s Bullying of Students – Prevention and Response Policy.
For information on racial bullying and anti-racism education for NSW public schools refer to:
Our teachers use a variety of strategies to assess student learning.
Student leadership
Student leadership helps young people find their voices, participate in decision-making, and understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. It helps students have a real impact on their learning and school environment and prepares them to participate meaningfully in their community.
Students can be leaders in the classroom, through their actions in the playground, through their support for others, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or local community events or projects.
For more information about opportunities in NSW public schools visit Student voice and leadership.