Established in 1958, Picton High School enjoys a semi-rural setting on the edge of the historic and picturesque township of Picton (population 3000). It is within half-an-hour’s travel from the larger centres of Camden, Campbelltown and the Southern Highlands. The school’s Junior and Senior curricular are acknowledged for breadth of choice and depth of study. An extensive process of community, parent, university, and TAFE interaction has resulted in a unique program with academic, vocational and interest strands to meet the needs of all students.
Facilities: Modern library, full-sized hall/gym, upgraded science block, music and art rooms, new two-storey classroom block, including computer room, darkroom and tiered learning space, large agricultural plot, sporting fields, volleyball and basketball courts.
Electives Years 7 and 8: Students study all of the following — English, Mathematics, Science, History/Geography, Visual Arts, Music, Design and Technology, PD/Health/PE, Languages (Year 7), Agriculture (Year 8).
Electives Years 9 and 10: The following electives are offered — Agriculture, Information Software & Technology, Drama, Agriculture Technology, Work Education, Information Software& Technology, Drama (Year 10), Japanese (Year 10), Music, Visual Arts, Industrial Technology Graphics, Physical Activity & Sport Studies, Photographic & Digital Media, Food Technology, Industrial Technology Wood, Dance (Year 9), Industrial Technology Metal, Construction, and Marine & Aquaculture Technology, exploring childhood.
Electives Years 11 and 12: NSW Board-developed courses offered include English (Standard, Advanced, Extension and studies of English), Mathematics (General, Extension), Applied Mathematics (Year 12), Agriculture, Ancient History, Metals & Engineering (Year 12), Engineering Studies, Japanese (Beginners, Continuers), Business Studies, Industrial Technology Automotive, Visual Arts, Community and Family Studies, Information Processing and Technology, Textiles and Design, Legal Studies, Drama, Music, Entertainment, Modern History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Senior Science, and PD/Health/PE. Picton High School has now established a Trade School in Metals and Engineering. It offers first-class industry-standard facilities and caters for students studying Industry technology metals and metals and engineering.
NSW Board-endorsed courses include Exploring Childhood, Sport and Recreation, Photography and Digital Imaging, Drama, First Aid/Life saving.
Vocational education courses include Construction, Hospitality, Furnishings (Wood or Textiles), Primary Industries, Business Services, Information Technology Support, Retailing, Rural Studies, and Metal and Engineering. TAFE-delivered courses may include Automotive Studies, Child Studies, Information Technology Support, and Design.
Sport: A range of sport activities are offered at grade or recreational levels.
Co-curricular activities: SRC, inter-school Christian fellowship, award-winning school band, cadets, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, lunchtime computer club, chess club, musical productions, debating, public speaking, Mock Trial, lunchtime soccer and touch football competitions, National English Week, Environmental Day, gold-pass system, Year 7 camp, co-ordinated camping and excursion program, student exchange, links with Picton Theatre Group. The school promotes safe, respectful, learning and is a PBL focus school.
Welfare and personal development: To assist students, various support systems exist including parent/teacher nights, parent information nights, a gold-pass scheme, a peer support scheme, Even-Start tutoring, a school counsellor, and a committed welfare team of Year advisers and head teachers.
The special individual needs of students are recognised and catered for. Special education includes IM and IO classes with their own staff and support teacher (learning difficulties) to work with students having difficulties in mainstream classes. A work experience alternative program has been devised for students in Years 9 and 10. A talented child program operates to extend students with special gifts through core academic classes.
Special features: Community involvement is fostered and the school reaches into the local community, particularly through the Business Links Program, mock interviews and feeder primary school links. Parents can be actively involved in the school as parent tutors, as helpers in special education rooms, through the P&C, by helping in the canteen, and through representation on committees and at school development days. Parental opinion is actively sought in the development of curriculum and school policies through surveys and school evalutation days. Parents are kept informed of school activities via newsletters, news bulletins and monthly meetings. The school academic year begins in February, ensuring best use of the available time for learning.
Parents of Aboriginal students are encouraged to become part of the PHASSPA committee which meets twice per term.