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.
Career advice
Careers at Davidson High School provides students with an opportunity to develop their own self-awareness in relation to career planning, a knowledge and understanding of the world of work, and the roles of education, training and employment in their own lives. Students learn how to become effective and responsible participants in their community by being self-motivated learners who are able to make appropriate career decisions based on a knowledge of themselves and the range of options available to them. Students will be able to discover their proficiencies, explore their career interests and link their learning to future career transition. The careers adviser assists students to:
- understand and manage influences relating to career planning and lifelong learning
- develop skills, knowledge and capabilities to make career decisions
- apply their learning to achieve educational and career aspirations
- build resilience in their capacity to manage change throughout their lives.
The careers adviser at Davidson High School is Ms Ruth Peek. The careers adviser provides support to students to make informed decisions about their future by developing their own personal career plans based on their skills, knowledge and capabilities. Careers has an open door policy. Students are encouraged to drop in for a chat or make an appointment for an extended interview, with or without parents/carers. Ms Peek is available by phone contact through the front office or via email.
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.
Care and welfare for international students
At Davidson High School all staff are conscious of the special challenges faced by international students. The international student coordinator, year adviser, school counsellor and administration manager provide expert guidance and support to ensure the wellbeing of international students. Mrs Michelle Keeler is our international student coordinator who welcomes and introduces the students to the Davidson High School community and supports their integration into the school environment. Ms Kerry Short is our administration manager, specialising in dealing with administrative matters concerning international students. The welfare, academic progress and attendance of each student is closely monitored by the international student coordinator. Support is provided to ensure the student has access to all curriculum offerings. A 'buddy' is provided for every new international student to assist in their transition to Australian school life.
Curriculum support
Our qualified English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) teachers provide students with support to develop their English language skills. Junior students are provided with specialised EAL/D classes. Senior students study fundamentals of English in Year 11 to develop their language skills and elect EAL/D English for the HSC (Higher School Certificate). We also offer a specialised tutoring program by qualified teachers providing additional EAL/D and science support.
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.
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.