WAYS SECONDARY
WAYS Secondary is an Independent high school for young people who want an alternative to mainstream education. Currently offering years 9, 10, 11 and 12.
WAYS Secondary provides an innovative, safe, supportive and flexible learning environment that helps students thrive and achieve their educational goals. The school offers NESA accredited ROSA and HSC courses. Upon completion, our objective is to assist students to achieve their future goals into further education, training and employment.
For all enquiries please email: [email protected]
OUR PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION
WAYS Secondary’s mission is to meaningfully motivate and engage students to achieve academically, love learning and realize their own potential. Student well being is paramount and we pride ourselves on our capacity to grow students emotionally and socially.
We have a proven record of instilling a sense of self-worth and connection to education in each student by enabling them to overcome their personal barriers to education. WAYS Secondary is available for students who do not fit into or wish to attend mainstream schooling. While we specialize in catering for a wide range of student needs, WAYS Secondary is not a behaviour school and thus does not accept students presenting with behavioural disorders or significant problems with their behavior.
We believe each student is an individual with a diversity of learning styles and we make it our priority to make learning accessible to all students. Parents are valued as much as students.
Parents of our students are encouraged to access our Youth and Family counselling service & our Effective Parenting courses which empower parents with the skills and knowledge to better understand their adolescent children, build stronger connections, manage challenging behaviours and feel more confident in their parenting.
Please contact the school on 0432 683 523 or email [email protected] for information regarding enrolment or for more information regarding the school.
WHY COME TO WAYS SECONDARY
We are student focused:
- Small class sizes
- Individual year groups- no composite classes
- Proactive Goal setting
- Individual student coaching for success
Have a strong focus on student wellness with free access to:
- Educational assessments
- Wellness Centre including GP, Dentist, Acupuncture and Optometry
- Counselling services
- Case management
We are passionate about providing a safe, supportive and dynamic learning environment:
- Literacy and numeracy support
- Enrichment programs
- Transport to and from Bondi Junction
Station daily - Breakfast, recess and lunch provided
FROM OUR STUDENTS
“‘ I never knew a school could change my life in the way this one has. This school has benefited me in so many more ways then educational purposes. It has given me a home and a second chance that I will forever be grateful for. I am not here because I am being forced, I come because I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else”.”
Talia, Yr 11
“I have been very supported at this school as all the teachers are very helpful and caring. WAYS Secondary is the best school I have been to and I always recommend this school to everyone”
Amy, Yr 11
“WAYS has helped me with my grades as I used to fail all my subjects at my previous school and now I am getting either A’s or B’s . I didn’t realise I was capable of achieving good grades. The teachers here are amazing !”
Alyssa, Yr 11
“ WAYS to me has meant a new beginning and a second chance achieving my goal of finishing year 12. In my short stay here I have achieved finishing year 10 and now I’m more than half way through year 11 ! WAYS has given me a chance to make new friends in a much more safer and happier environment than my previous school “
Cameron, Yr11
“WAYS Secondary is an amazing school that is really flexible and understanding. The teachers take their time to understand each students situations and learning abilities and focus on people individually and make us the very best we can be. I feel very supported by all the students and teachers, we are like family ! I love it there. I wouldn’t be graduating if it wasn’t for WAYS.”
Jade, Yr 12
“WAYS Secondary changed my life completely. I learnt many things that shaped me into the person I am today, one of which is that telling the truth will make you a bigger person”.
wilson, Yr 12
“ WAYS Secondary has created a relaxing, safe and supportive atmosphere for me during my time here. This has resulted in a massive improvement in my attendance which at my previous school as so below average that I almost repeated a year. Luckily I switched schools to WAYS and they have helped me avoid repeating. “
Flynn, Yr 11
“WAYS Secondary has provided me with the opportunity to excel in education and develop healthy ways to cope with adversity. I am beyond grateful for WAYS and Terri”
Phoebe, Yr 12
““WAYS Secondary has changed the course of my education for the better, all the staff have provided a positive environment and supported my unique situation and enabled me to finish year 12. Thanks to all staff for being so kind and helping me grow as a person”“
Senna, Yr 12
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARENT COMMUNITY
“We would like to thank Principal Terri Said and the amazing teachers and staff at WAYS Secondary School for turning our child’s life around. When it was clear that she wasn’t thriving in the conventional school system we feared that she wouldn’t continue her education past Year 8. WAYS was referred to us through a friend and initially we were scared to reach outside the normal paradigm of traditional education. After an initial interview with Terri, we realised we had to try.
Within a week of the next school term it was obvious we had made the right decision. The fear and apprehension our daughter had displayed in the past was replaced by curiosity and a willingness to go to school! In the four years she was there we saw her open up and gain much needed confidence. She made friends, genuinely made an effort with school work and ultimately sat for the HSC.
WAYS kept her at school. Without them I don’t know what we would have done. These incredible teachers gently catch students who have fallen through the cracks of the education system and set them right. The school’s commitment to personal growth – as well as education – transformed our daughter into the confident, funny and enthusiastic young woman we see today. WAYS has expanded her options as an adult and given her the grounding to do what all children should expect from a school – to be equipped to go out and live a fulfilling, meaningful life.”
Kimberly and Martin
“David and I just wanted to send a quick note to say a really heartfelt thank you after yesterday’s Graduation Assembly.
We were so absolutely thrilled to see April receive the Coogee Social Impact Award. This was totally unexpected, but so lovely for April, and for us as a family. We are all very touched, and very appreciative of the school for recognising and selecting April for such a special award. She absolutely loves going to school at WAYS – deciding to send her to the school is one of the best decisions we have ever made, and we are so thankful to all of the staff for the way you have welcomed April and made her feel so comfortable and supported. You guys all rock!”
Kylie & David
“Sean and I are filled with emotion to see, hear and feel the impact that Ways has had on Devan this year. Devan has thrived through this year with all the incredible care, support and nurturing that has been given to him on a daily basis. He is slowly gaining an understanding of who he is and developing the confidence to embrace his great characteristics and continue to grow.
This year has shown us that Devan has been acknowledged for who he is, and this has allowed him to grow and gain confidence in his abilities to learn and extend his thinking. He is a competent, capable young man who has developed so many new skills thoughout the year, especially as he becomes more confident to be independent and an independent learner, trusting himself and his own beliefs and understanding of the world around him.
We are all truly grateful and appreciate your care, time, patience, and incredible ability to motivate, inspire and learn alongside Devan and his peers.
We feel privileged to be part of the Ways community.
Sean and Devan
2024 TERM DATES
TERM 1
- All students commence Wednesday, January 31st 2024
- Concludes Thursday, April 12th 2024
TERM 2
- Commences Monday, April 29th 2024
- Concludes Friday July 5th 2024
TERM 3
- Commences Monday, July 22nd 2024
- Concludes Friday, September 27th 2024
TERM 4
- Commences Monday, 14th October 2024
- Concludes Friday, 20th December 2024
FROM OUR FORMER PRIME MINISTER
I have enjoyed working with WAYS over the years on a range of initiatives including health promotion, recreational activities and education and training.
I would particularly like to commend WAYS Secondary Education School in assisting young adults make positive decisions about their health, wellbeing and lifestyle.
They create a supportive, engaging and flexible learning environment that helps address the barriers to education that their students often face. They are an integral support network that can create an optimistic future with limitless potential.
– Malcolm Turnbull