The Principal - Mr Edward G. Gavin

The Principal has overall responsibility for the education provided at our school. It is his role to provide leadership and to encourage an atmosphere which recognizes the needs of our students and which support our staff. The Principal is an important link between the school, the parents and the wider community.

The Deputy Principals - Ms Cheryl Holden (Years 10, 11 and 12)

                                       -  Mr Jeffrey Lumb     (Years 7, 8 and 9)

The Deputy Principals divide the responsibilities for student welfare, curriculum, training and professional development of staff and many administration duties, so that the school meets the needs of its students, staff, parents, the Department of Education and Training, the Board of Studies and the wider community.

Subject Head Teachers

The role of the Subject Head Teachers ‑ quite apart from their responsibilities as classroom teachers ‑ is to coordinate learning activities within their departments and to help establish and maintain an effective lesson environment. Your classroom teacher may refer you to the Head Teacher of a subject if there is a problem with your progress. The Head Teacher will conduct any discussions apart from Parent/Teacher Nights ‑ which might take place with your parent or guardian.

Head Teacher Girls / Welfare - Ms R. Simm

The Head Teacher Girls / Welfare will offer support and guidance to students and provide staff with relevant student information. The Head Teacher Welfare deals with health issues and liaises with students, the counsellor, Deputy Principals, Student Advisers, outside agencies and parents about these matters.

Student Advisers

The Student Advisers address the welfare needs of the students within their year. Their role is to listen to student concerns and to respond to their needs rather than to act in a disciplinary way.

The Student Advisers represent their year to the school's executive and staff. You and your parents should feel free to see your Adviser if you have any problems or concerns.

Counsellor - Ms R. Purkis

The Counsellor's role is to assist students who are having difficulties with their work or with their relationships with other people. You may arrange an interview with the Counsellor or else your Year Adviser can arrange an interview. The Counsellor also works with parents, teachers and agencies outside the school.

Attendance Coordinator - Mr J. Lumb (Deputy Principal)

The Attendance Coordinator plays an important role in monitoring school attendance systems. Good attendance patterns are vital for academic success and maintaining a positive attitude towards school.

Home School Liaison Officer - Ms P. Condon

The Home School Liaison Officer monitors student attendance and has programs available for any students who are experiencing attendance problems. This officer is an important link between the home and the school, working closely with our Attendance Coordinator and Student Advisers

Classroom Teachers

The people you will have most contact with are your classroom teachers. They are highly trained professionals who are dedicated to your welfare and whose aim it is to provide you with the best education possible. Your classroom teacher is the first person you should approach if you have a problem in a particular subject. For Years 7 and 8 classes she/he meets regularly with your other teachers to discuss your progress so that all your teachers can help you achieve your personal best.

Careers Adviser - Mr M. Johnson

Blacktown Girls High School is dedicated to the ideal of the appropriate placement of each student into society, whether this placement is further study, like T.A.F.E., University, or employment, or perhaps a combination through traineeships, apprenticeships and cadetships. Our full-time Careers Adviser is available to all students. Students and parents can approach the Careers Adviser for information and guidance through individual interviews.

School Administrative / Support Staff - Ms D. Grausam (Senior Assistant)

The Administrative Staff are responsible for the administration of the school. These people carry out a range of essential tasks; reception and switchboard duties, printing, processing of enrolments, arranging student transport, financial management, collecting money for excursions and contributions, data and word processing, library administration, science, kitchen and woodwork preparatory work, and clinic administration to name a few. They are all there to help you, do not hesitate to ask for assistance.

Support Teacher Learning

The role of the Support Teacher is to support ‑

• The teacher and student in the classroom in a team teaching situation

• The teacher in programming to cater to individual student needs

• The teacher by collaborative consultation on students causing concern

• The student when withdrawal is the most suitable method of service delivery

The identification of students for special help is based on information from the primary school, and

SNAP [Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program], student adviser referrals, records, testing including ELLA [English Literacy Language Assessment tests], parent requests and referrals from classroom teachers. Other provisions for helping students [with a focus on literacy] can be found in our Peer Tutor programs with motivation and self esteem being encouraged through improvement in reading, comprehension, word recognition and fluency. Help with numeracy skills is also a priority.

English as a Second Language [ESL] - Ms L. Browne (In charge)

Students for whom English is a second language are offered support in all years. These students are given assistance both across the curriculum and in parallel English classes. There are also extra curricula activities, which are designed to improve literacy skills, and provide students with vocational information through a program of tutoring and communicative activities as well as visits to TAFE and university.

At Blacktown Girls High School we have an active learning and study skills program that is available to students from Year 7 to Year 12. As part of this program, students will attend workshops in Goal Setting, Time Management, Organisation and Problem Solving. These skills will be invaluable to students as they settle into high school routine. The content of these workshops will be reinforced later in the year with work on Learning Styles, Study Skills and Cooperative Learning.