Birdwood High School
 |
| Birdwood High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| , | |
| Information | |
| Motto | Latin: labor omnia vincit ("Hard work conquers all") |
| Established | 1909 |
| Principal | Steve Hicks |
| Enrolment | 700 to 800 (yr 8 - yr 12) |
| Website | http://www.birdwoodhs.sa.edu.au/ |
Birdwood High School is a public high school in the Adelaide Hill's town, Birdwood. Birdwood High School was founded in 1909 and currently sits beside Birdwood Primary School.
Academy of Innovative Learning
The Academy of Middle Schooling (later renamed to "Academy of Innovative Learning" (AIL) was started in 2011, with 120 students in year 8. The AIL is an alternative to the more traditional junior high school. In 2011, year 8 students had the choice of AIL, or junior high. However, in 2012, AIL is the only year 8 learning method. In 2012, AIL combined 160 year 8 students, 120 year 9 students and a new year 10 with around 40-50 students. In 2011, the AIL students created the space of their learning area in a building at the front of the school. The students do not attend traditional classes, but receive work online and from mentor lessons placed during the week.
The AIL works around a mentor system. There are about 20 students in each mentor group and two teachers. The teachers teach in other places of the school so the teachers share rolls in marking and mentoring students. The work is put into "Units" which meet the Australian Curriculum. At the beginning of the relative term, students choose the subjects they would like to learn and, during the term, attend "Masterclasses" in which they learn those subjects.
Information Technology
The technology in AIL is operated by a small team of students[citation needed] that work with the IT Co-coordinator and the IT Administrator[citation needed]. The IT students help other students with their personally-owned laptops or the School-owned laptops[citation needed] (Macbooks).
Cafe Business
In 2011 the teachers planned to start-up a business operated by the students for students and teachers. The Cafe was formed and students were hired for main Jobs such as CEO, Head Barrister, Head Chef, Marketing Manager, Stock Manager, Accountant, Website Manager etc. Although the business was not fully started in 2011, plans were that it would be started in 2012. The Cafe was used for fundraising and special events such as the Mylor Bon-Fire night.