James Meehan is an established comprehensive school with a strong commitment to providing quality education to students of all abilities, in a secure, attractive and caring learning environment. It encourages high morale through innovation, cooperation, democratic processes, and sound teaching practices.
Facilities: Located in a woodland setting at Macquarie Fields, the school has a gymnasium, a hall, four computer rooms, sporting fields, and tennis and basketball courts. It also has design and technology workshops, language rooms, a drama theatrette, food technology unit, science labs and photography facilities. A music rehearsal studio and multimedia studio allow students to develop skills and knowledge in music and video production and digital imaging.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Computing Studies, Design and Technology, Music, Visual Arts, Languages, Electronics, Dance, Textiles and Design, Wood and Metal Technics, Home Science, Human Movement.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Ancient History, Modern History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Legal Studies, Business Studies, Engineering Science, Aboriginal Studies. Joint TAFE courses are also offered, including Office Skills, Building and Construction, Retail Skills, Industry Studies, Economics, as are a range of Board-endorsed courses, including Money Management and Childcare. Both TER and non-TER pathways are available.
Sport: The school offers basketball, hockey, rugby league, netball, Australian rules, soccer, volleyball, softball, and a range of leisure sports such as aerobics, badminton and weight lifting.
Extracurricular activities: Debating, public speaking, choir, student newspaper, Mock Trial, musical productions, camps, rock band.
Welfare and personal development: The student council acts as a liaison between staff and students, and programs such as peer support, parent learning support and a merit award system operate. Work experience and careers education are provided, as is a Years 7 to 12 study and learning skills program.
Special features: James Meehan has highly developed links with primary schools and the general community. An Aboriginal support program includes an Aboriginal education assistant. The school operates an after-school study centre and a home-reading tutor program.