Our principal and staff

Head Teachers

• Administration - Kai Bruce
• Creative and Performing Arts - Donna Pfister
• English -  April Wilk
• History - Alison Corliss
• Inclusive Education - Nicole Young
• Languages - Sandra Cotton (rel)
• Mathematics - Mark Ide
• PDHPE - Tanya Blaszczyk
• Science  - Lisa Curran
• Secondary Studies - Andrew Glazebrook
• Social Science - Melanie Naylor
• Teaching and Learning - Peta O'Keefe
• Technology and Applied Studies - Jodene Whitton
• Wellbeing - Joanne Riley

Year Advisers

• Year 7 - Emily Cocking, David McLennan
• Year 8 - Thea Crowe, Luke Rosser
• Year 9 - Matt Algie, Jeremy Lloyd
• Year 10 - Ashley Forbes, Jessica Somerville
• Year 11 - Renae Lewis, Teegan Ling
• Year 12 - Hayley Cummins, Kai Bruce

Specialised staff

• Sports Coordinator - Nick Farrar
• Learning and Support - Thea Crowe. Tegan Tolley
• Careers Advisor - Renee Sommer
• Student Engagement Officer - Raelee Lavis
• Senior Study Coordinator - Helen Saperas
• Teacher Librarian - Sandra Cotton
• Student Support Officer - Janelle Fitzgerald
• Technical Services Officer - Clinton Voigt

Wellbeing and Learning Support staff

Our wellbeing and support staff guide student wellbeing, learning needs and inclusion. They work with teachers to make personalised adjustments. This means each child can take part fully in school life. We make our school welcoming and accessible to every child.

• Head Teacher Wellbeing - Joanne Riley
• Year Advisers - see aboveLearning Support - Thea Crowe, Tegan Tolley
• Careers Advisor - Renee Sommer
• Student Engagement Officer - Raelee Lavis
• Senior Study Coordinator - Helen Saperas
• Student Support Officer - Janelle Fitzgerald
• School Counsellors - Dianne Tudball, Mark Harrison, Asley Dissanayake
• Kristy Ball - School Learning Support Officer
• Robyn Colville - School Learning Support Officer
• Jacob Gray - Aboriginal Education Officer
• Emma Mercieca - School Learning Support Officer
• Jan Millar - School Learning Support Officer
• Linda Nevins - School Learning Support Officer
• Michelle Sweeting - School Learning Support Officer
• Brianna Young - School Learning Support Officer

Our administrative and operations staff

Our administrative and operations staff keep our school running smoothly. They support students, teachers and families every day. You can find them in our front office or on the school grounds.

• Julie Cupitt - Business Manager
• Renee Geale - School Administration Manager
• Amanda Greenwood - School Administration Officer
• Rebecca Bawden - School Administration Officer
• Denese Beesley - School Administration Officer
• Jodie Black - School Administration Officer
• Jody Blake - School Administration Officer
• Alison Gavigan - School Administration Officer
• Hannah Jefferson - School Administration Officer
• Janine McGregor - School Administration Officer
• Kyle Miller - General Assistant
• Jacob Miller - General Assistant
• Samantha Morgan - School Administration Officer
• Cathy Smith - School Administration Officer
• Colleen Squires - School Administration Officer
• Wendy St Cyr - School Administration Officer
• Clinton Voigt - Technical Support Officer

All Stars Hub

Our Team

• Ms Nicole Young (Head Teacher)
• Ms Rouhan
• Ms Young
• Ms Tooze
• Ms McAlpine
• Ms Ball (SLSO)
• Ms Sweeting (SLSO)
• Ms Miller (SLSO)
• Ms Mercieca (SLSO)

WBHS has three specialist support classes: two Autism classes and one multi-categorical class. Each support class is supported by one Special Education trained teacher and a School Learning Support Officer. Each Support Class offers a number of subjects, with both regular and Life Skills outcomes, to cater for the wide range of skills and abilities of students in our classes.

• Autism Support Class – for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The class has a maximum enrolment of 7 students per class.
• Multi-categorical Support Class - for students who have similar moderate to high support needs. Students may have one or more disability type, including: autism, emotional disturbance, moderate to severe intellectual disability or physical disability. The class has a maximum of 7 students.

Support Class Placements

Applications for placement are through the Access Request process. An Access Request is usually arranged by the school learning and support team at the local public school, but can also be organised through the local Educational Services team if a child is not yet enrolled. Teams can be contacted on 131 536 and calls can be made from anywhere in NSW.

A student is offered enrolment in a specialist support class in a regular school through a placement panel process. A student's eligibility is determined through the department's disability criteria as well as the availability of a place in an appropriate specialist support class.

Personalised Learning

Each student has a Personalised Learning and Support Plan that is student-centred and focuses on goal setting across various domains. Personalised Learning and Support Plans are developed through collaborative curriculum planning meetings with students, parents/carers, school counsellors and other allied professionals. Student plans and goals are then embedded into our programs and teaching, both in and out of the classroom.

Enrichment programs include:

• Community Access: Warners Bay High School Special Education Faculty uses the resources of the local and extended community for our Community Access Program to support the development of each student's social skills and functional behaviours in the community. Community Access Programs are important as they focus on the development of student competencies needed in adult life.

• Work Experience: Students spend time in an industry or job of their choice during work experience. Arrangements are made with school and parent approval. Work experience helps students:

  • link classroom learning to the workplace
  • put classroom learning into practice
  • decide if they like the job or industry
  • learn the realities of the workplace
  • understand study, training and work opportunities
  • choose elective subjects
  • prepare for life after school.

• Life Skills: The standard curriculum and Life Skills curriculum cover the key learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Creative Arts, Human Society and the Environment and Languages. Where regular curriculum outcomes with adjustments are not appropriate, students can choose a combination of regular and/or Life Skills outcomes and content. Warners Bay Special Education Faculty considers the strengths, goals, interests and support needs of individual students in collaboration with their parents or carers to meet a student's learning and support needs.

• Integration: Warners Bay Special Education Faculty supports students from within the All Stars Hub to attend mainstream classrooms and participate in learning opportunities that are relevant to their area of strength and capability.

• Cafe Presto: Students from the All Stars Hub have the opportunity, on a fortnightly basis, to learn many valuable skills in the kitchen by cooking and catering for the staff at WBHS.

Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)

Studying the creative and performing arts (CAPA) enables students to learn to dream, create, appreciate, compose, listen and perform. Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.

Students study 100 hours of both music and visual arts during Years 7. They also have an opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills in other art forms through elective subjects in Years 8-10. Students can also then choose from a range of CAPA courses in Years 11 and 12.

Our Team

• Ms Pfister (Head Teacher)
• Ms Rogers
• Mr Burton
• Ms Moffitt
• Ms Martin
• Ms Kerr
• Mr McLennan (Music)
• Ms Husband (Music)

Courses

• Year 7 - Music, Visual Arts
• Year 8 - Music and Visual Arts electives
• Year 9 & 10 - Music, Visual Arts, Photographic & Digital Media, Ceramics
• Year 11 & 12 - Music, Visual Arts, Entertainment, Photography, Video and Digital Imaging.

Enrichment programs include:

• MADD Nights Term 2, 3 & 4
• Excursions to Nobbys Beach, Newcastle Art Gallery, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park, MCA, Artexpress, as well as local and international exhibits.
• High Potential and Gifted Education workshops for selected students from our partner primary schools
• Encore
• Concert Band
• Jazz Band,
• Rock bands
• Choir, vocal ensemble
• Reprise
• Starstruck
• Performances
• MAD Nights
• Musicals
• Workshops

Careers

Our Team

• Ms Sommer (Careers Adviser)
• Ms Lavis (Student Engagement Adviser)

Connecting to Careers

• Each week all Year 10, 11 and 12 students receive a Youth Links  Jobs Flyer  through their school email account. This flyer provides students with a range of jobs opportunities, traineeships and apprenticeships available to school leavers in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region. Students are encouraged to keep up to date with careers news, events and pages of job opportunities suitable for young people by looking at this useful resource.
• Parents or carers who are interested in being added to the distribution list please are welcome to email their interest to Renee Sommer at renee.stone@det.nsw.edu.au
• Warners Bay High Careers Faculty Facebook page is regularly updated with jobs, careers information and announcements.
• Warners Bay High School Careers webpage​ will provide you with information which will help you make decisions about your future career and your life beyond school.
• All Year 10, 11 and 12 students have access to the  Career and Transition  Google Classroom page which provides a comprehensive range of resources for students to access. Students who have not accessed the Career and Transition page yet can find the Google Classroom code in their school email account by searching career codes.
• Please contact the Careers Adviser if you would like personalised careers support. E: renee.stone@det.nsw.edu.au

Activities

A range of Careers programs are offered and delivered to students. These include:

• Careers lessons
• Schools to Work Programs
• Small group and individual interviews
• Focus Days
• Guest speakers
• Work Experience
• Excursions

Years 9 & 10

In Year 10, students have fortnightly Careers lessons delivered by the Careers Advisor. These classes communicate important information about:

• Work Experience
• School to Work Pathways
• Senior Subject Selection
• Apprenticeships & Traineeships
• Goal settimg
• Exploring career pathways
• Applying for work
• Workplace issues
• University - courses, application processes, ATAR, entry pathways, etc.

Work Experience

Year 10 students can participate in Work Experience. See your Careers Adviser if interested. A White Card is a mandatory requirement for all people who work on a construction site in Australia. Students must have their White Card if they plan on doing work experience in the construction industry. All interested Year 10 students should register their interest at the Careers Office in D Block or email Ms Sommer in Careers. All students who complete this course will need a USI number .  To get your USI number, have your Medicare Card ready and go to https://www.usi.gov.au/

The Quality Learning Expo (QLE)

QLE is a program delivered to Year 10 Students that focuses on developing organisation skills, self-management, and interview strategies.  During Careers lessons, students will learn how to write a resume and Letter of Introduction, along with what to include in a CV/Portfolio. In Term 4, students present for an interview before a panel to discuss their skills and achievements.

Years 11-12

As well as offering Work Studies as a Stage 6 subject, Year 11 and Year 12 students are provided with a range of workshops and support throughout their HSC course.

Students, parents and carers can book  a time with the Careers Adviser if they would like further information on career planning.

English/Drama

The aim of the English course is to enable students to unlock the power, value and art of language, fostering confident communication, critical thinking, imaginative expression, and a life long love of learning.

We offer a rich extra-curricular opportunity program with all students invited to participate in excursions, debating, HSC Study Days, prose, critical, poetry and film competitions, senior holiday study tutorials and workshops,  and to listen to guest speakers and view Drama performances annually to create a breadth of rich, learning opportunities.

Our Team

• Ms Wilk (Head Teacher)
• Ms Bates
• Ms Berger
• Ms Cummins
• Mr Greive
• Ms Grujevski
• Ms Lambert
• Ms Lewis
• Ms Mason
• Mr May
• Ms Mulligan
• Mr Walkling

Courses

Year 7 & 8

• Mandatory English
• Drama Elective
• Creative Writing Elective

Year 9 & 10

• Mandatory English
• Drama Elective
• Creative Writing Elective

Year 11 & Y12

• English Advanced
• English Standard
• English Extension 1 and 2
• English Studies
• Drama

Enrichment programs include:

• Writing Competitions
• Debating
• Public Speaking
• Community Performances Drama
• External Drama Competitions
• Guest Speakers/Workshops

History

History is a disciplined process of inquiry into the past that helps to explain how people, events and forces from the past have shaped our world. It allows students to locate and understand themselves and others in the continuum of human experience up to the present. History provides opportunities for students to explore human actions and achievements in a range of historical contexts. Students become aware that history is all around us and that historical information may be drawn from the physical remains of the past as well as written, visual and oral sources of evidence.  Students can then select from a range of courses in Years 11 and 12.

Our Team

• Ms Corliss (Head Teacher)
• Ms Hibbert
• Mr Fromson
• Mr McCarthy
• Ms Petersen

Courses

Year 7 & 8

• Mandatory History
• History Elective (Yr 8)

Year 9 & 10

• Mandatory History
• History Elective

Year 11 & 12

• Ancient History
• Modern History
• History Extension (1 unit in Year 12)

Enrichment programs include:

The European History Tour is a biennial tour for senior students to explore historical sites studied in Stage 6 Modern and Ancient History which may include Pompeii, Herculaneum, Auschwitz, Munich and Berlin. Furthermore, it is a fantastic opportunity for students to build life long memories with friends.

Languages

Our Team

• Ms Cotton (rel. Head Teacher)
• Ms Poole
• Mr Edman

Courses

Year 7 & 8

• Year 7: Japanese
• Year 8: Japanese and French electives

Year 9 & 10

• Japanese and French electives

Year 11 & 12

• Japanese Continuers, French Continuers

Enrichment programs include:

• Japan Homestay: Every year, 20 students from Suginami Gakuin High School come to stay with Australian families for two weeks and share their culture with their Australian hosts.
• National French Competition: The Language Perfect Competition Winners at our school often reach Elite level and are awarded voucher prizes. Language Perfect send official certificates for all students who participated significantly.
• French Film Festival & Film Competition: Several short French film entries are submitted to the Annual Hunter Languages Film Competition. Prizes are awarded in multiple categories.
• Taiko Drumming Experience and Martial Arts Incursions: EZ Japanese offers a Japanese Taiko Drumming Workshop for all Japanese classes. The cultural mindset behind the practice is explained, along with stance and stamina of this Japanese Tradition. Students are offered the unique chance to drum on very unique, traditional drums which were imported from Japan and work together to create a multi-faceted folklore tune. The Martial Arts Incursion is experienced by Year 8 Japanese classes in which they learn the discipline, obedience and mindfulness that accompanies this popular tradition.
• Cultural Food Days enable students to expand their horizons, get out of their comfort zones and order food in a foreign language, tasting authentic cuisine flavours. This includes trying Crepe, ‘pain au chocolat’, ‘croissant’ and ‘grenadine’. Students learn how to order food in French at the counter to prepare them for future travel experiences. Japanese students are in charge of bringing ingredients and cooking Yakisoba, ‘Temakizushi’ and KatsuKuri.

Library

The WBHS Library is a friendly, multipurpose learning space. It provides resources, services and study spaces to meet the learning, curriculum and teaching needs of the students and staff of Warners Bay High School.

Our Team

• Ms Cotton - rel. HT Languages, Teacher Librarian
• Ms St-Cyr - Library Assistant
• Ms Saperas - Senior Study Coordinator

Opening hours - Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 3.30 pm. The Library is open throughout the school day for all teaching and learning needs and is located in D block.

Mathematics

Mathematics provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in mathematics and working mathematically. Students have the opportunity to develop increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding, fluency, communication, reasoning, analytical thought and problem-solving skills. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems relevant to their present and future needs.

Our Team

• Mr Ide (Head Teacher)
• Mr Algie
• Ms Aung
• Mr Bufi
• Mrs Gay
• Mr Gordon
• Ms Hull
• Mr Lloyd
• Mr McAlpine
• Mr McLennan
• Mr McVicar
• Mr Morrissey
• Mr Radford

Courses

Years 7-10

The study of Mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10. Students in Years 7 & 8 are placed in maths classes based on their performance in the previous year. There are four graded maths classes and four general classes in each year. Students in Years 9 & 10 are placed in graded maths classes based on their performance in the previous year. Some movement is possible between classes depending on student performance and availabilty of places.

Years 11 & 12

In Year 11 and 12 the study of mathematics is optional.

• Mathematics Standard 2
• Mathematics Standard 1 (optional HSC examination)
• Mathematics Advanced
• Mathematics Extension 1
• Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12)
• Mathematics Life Skills

PDHPE

The purpose of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) is to provide opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to understand, accept and lead a healthy lifestyle.In so doing, students significantly develop their capacity for understanding how communities can establish healthier conditions of living.

Our Team

• Ms Blaszczyk (Head Teacher)
• Ms O'Keefe (Head Teacher Teaching and Learning)
• Mr Caruana
• Mr Farrar (Sport coordinator)
• Ms George
• Ms Jones
• Ms Somerville
• Mr Steel
• Ms Whalen

Year 7 & 8

• Year 7 & 8 PDHPE (mandatory)
• Year 8 Physical and Applied Studies - PASS (elective)

Year 9 & 10

• PDHPE (mandatory)
• Child Studies (elective)
• Physical and Applied Studies PASS (elective)

Year 11 & 12

• Year 12 Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education 2025
• Community and Family Studies
• Sports Lifestyle and Recreation
• Exploring Early Childhood
• VET Sports Coaching
• VET Fitness
• Health Movement Science

Enrichment programs include:

• Excursions
• Camps
• Sporting Teams

Science

Through the study of Science, students learn about our biological, chemical, geological, physical and technological world. They develop skills in planning and conducting investigations, recording and analysing data, and problem solving. They explore evidence and investigate ways to discover, develop and produce solutions to real-world problems. Science emphasises the skills for working scientifically, as well as critical and creative thinking to address scientific issues.

Our Team

• Mrs Curran (Head Teacher)
• Ms Black (Lab Assistant)
• Ms Cocking
• Ms Lewis
• Ms Ling
• Ms Mercieca
• Mr Morgan
• Mr Pickering
• Ms Robinson
• Mr Ryan
• Ms Smith (Lab Assistant)
• Mr Turner

Courses

Year 7 & 8

• Mandatory Science

Year 9 & 10

• Mandatory Science

Year 11 & 12

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Investigating Science
• Physics

In Year 12, students who are studying at least one other science subject may also choose to study Science Extension.

Enrichment programs include:

• The Science and Engineering Challenge aims to foster interest and engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in  Year 10 students. Students compete against other schools in fun and engaging hands-on activities such as designing an earthquake proof tower, building a hovercraft or bridge, providing electricity to a city or creating an environmentally friendly house. Qualifying schools may go on to complete at the State and National Finals.

Social Science

Studying Social Sciences gives students fascinating insights and equip them with important transferable skills for a wide range of careers. Students develop general and specific work-related skills, including research, analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, teamwork and communication.

Our Team

• Mrs Naylor (Head Teacher)
• Mr Husband (Deputy Principal)
• Ms Bramble
• Mr Forbes
• Mr McGarvey
• Mr Squires
• Mrs Weston

Courses

Year 7 & 8

• Geography (mandatory)
• Year 8 Marine Studies, Legal Studies, Commerce (electives)

Year 9 & 10

• Geography (mandatory)
• Commerce (elective)
• Marine Studies (elective)
• International Studies (elective)

Year 11 & 12

• Business Studies
• Economics
• Geography
• Legal Studies
• Society and Culture

Enrichment programs include:

• Accelerated Geography program for Senior Geography
• Bizfair

Student Wellbeing

All members of the Wellbeing Team support students throughout their journey at Warners Bay High School.

Our Team

• Ms Riley - Head Teacher
• Ms Fletcher - Deputy Principal Years 9 & 11
• Mr Husband - Deputy Principal Years 8 & 12
• Ms Lawler - Deputy Principal Years 7 & 10
• Ms Fitzgerald - Student Support Officer

Year Advisers

• Year 7 - Ms Cocking, Mr McLennan
• Year 8 - Ms Crowe, Mr Rosser
• Year 9 - Mr Lloyd, Mr Algie
• Year 10 - Mr Forbes, Ms Somerville
• Year 11 - Ms Lewis, Ms Ling
• Year 12 - Ms Cummins, Mr Bruce

School Counsellors

• Mr Harrison
• Ms Tudball
• Ms Asley Dissanayake

Technological and Applied Studies (TAS)

Technology, and understanding the design process, enable students to learn how to manage, interpret, shape and alter their environment to improve their quality of life at home, school, in workplaces and in their community. TAS subjects enable students to become future-focused learners through developing skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. TAS subjects allow students to use technology tools and to collaborate to design innovative projects.

Our Team

• Ms Whitton (Head Teacher)
• Mr Bruce (Head Teacher Admin)
• Ms Badger-Greenwood (assistant)
• Mr Ford
• Ms Allen
• Mr Mackay
• Mr Moore
• Mrs Parker-Kennedy
• Ms Kennedy
• Ms Chawner
• Mr Wilkens

Courses

Year 7 & 8

Technology Mandatory context areas:

• Agriculture and Food Technologies
• Digital Technologies
• Engineered Systems
• Materials Technologies - Timber/Textiles/ Metal/Products

Electives (Year 8):

• Food Technology
• Textiles Technology
• Industrial Technology Timber
• Design and Technology
• Multimedia
• Computing Masters

Year 9 & 10

• Food Technology
• Textiles and Design
• Industrial Technology Metal
• Industrial Technology Timber
• Industrial Technology Engineering
• Computing Technology
• Design and Technology – Mixed Materials
• STEM

Year 11 & 12

• Industrial Technology Metal and Engineering Technologies
• Industrial Technology Timber Products and Furniture Technologies
• Design and Technology
• Textiles and Design
• Food Technology
• Engineering Studies
• Hospitality (VET)

Enrichment programs include:

STEM students participate in activities and challenges through RDA in the ME Program. This includes Build Me a future, Defence Industry Challenge, Girls With a Mission, the STEM Construction Challenge. and UoN Build ME a Future Day.

Safe Footwear

In accordance with the Safe Working Policy, the Department has identified areas of its workplaces where appropriate footwear must be worn by employees, students and visitors to ensure their safety.

This means WBHS staff and students participating in  ALL  TAS practical lessons for Years 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 are required to wear  fully enclosed leather shoes  as part of their PPE: Personal Protective Equipment.

It is an expectation that all students will supply their own PPE for each practical lesson. Students cannot share equipment or rely on another student to supply their equipment.

Didn't bring your PPE? See the TAS teacher before 9am on the day of your practical lessons. Refer to  Footwear guidelines for NSW Government Schools  for more information.