All NSW public school students have a right to an inclusive learning environment and to feel happy and safe at school.
At Cumberland High School we provide a comprehensive student wellbeing structure that caters effectively for the need of our students. Our Welfare Team works with staff, students and parents to prioritise and address important issues pertaining to peer relations, academic concerns or any other problems.
Our Student Year Advisors are assigned one cohort for the six year high school period, allowing for students to build a strong and open relationship with their advisor. Student Year Advisors work closely with the Head Teacher in charge of the Welfare Team, the School Counsellor and the Deputy Principal so that the welfare of each child is enhanced. All students have access to our professional School Counsellor, an integral support to our student wellbeing program.
From the very beginning of Year 7, our students are linked with Peer Support Leaders. Our leaders are there to assist the younger students to settle into Cumberland High School and develop a sense of the "Cumberland Spirit".
Other programs offered as part of the student wellbeing program include:
- AMPing it Up Mentoring Program
- Brekky Bar
- Learning Curve Home Room Pastoral Care Program
- Peer Mediation
- Peer Tutoring
- Positive Behaviour for Learning
- Year 11 Cross Roads Program
Aboriginal student support
We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students to help them be successful learners.
We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and carers, as well as community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.
The Aboriginal Education Policy confirms the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to improvement in educational outcomes and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Multicultural education
Our school welcomes students, families and community members from all cultural backgrounds. We appreciate difference and diversity and aim to provide a culturally inclusive and responsive environment that benefits all students.
Our teaching and learning programs develop intercultural understanding, promote positive relationships and enable all students to participate as active Australian and global citizens. Our school fosters student wellbeing and community harmony by implementing anti-racism and anti-discrimination strategies that encourage engagement by parents and carers from all backgrounds.
The Multicultural Education Policy outlines the NSW Department of Education’s commitment to providing opportunities that enable all students to achieve equitable education and social outcomes and participate successfully in our culturally diverse society.
The Anti-Racism Policy confirms the department’s commitment to rejecting all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools and eliminating expressions of racism in its learning and working environments.
For more information refer to:
Supporting English language learners
Learning English is essential for success at school and effective participation in Australian society. We can provide specialist support to help students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D).
For more information refer to: EAL/D education.
Supporting refugee students
Schools offer safety, support and security to help refugee students adjust to life in Australia and participate successfully in education. Targeted support strategies are provided to assist refugee students in NSW public schools.
For more information refer to: Supporting refugee students.
Learning support
The school’s learning and support team plays a key role in ensuring we meet the specific needs of students with additional learning and support needs, including disability.
The team:
- supports teachers in identifying and responding to the additional learning needs of students
- facilitates and coordinates a whole-school approach to improving the learning outcomes of every student
- coordinates planning processes and resourcing for students with additional learning and support needs
- designs and implements the support required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
- develops collaborative partnerships with the school, parents and carers, as well as other professionals and the wider school community.
For more information on programs and services to help students with additional learning and support needs visit Disability, learning and support.
Anti-bullying
Bullying of any kind is not acceptable in NSW schools.
The NSW anti-bullying website brings together information and resources for teachers, students, parents and carers. It helps to identify, prevent and respond effectively to student bullying, including online bullying. It provides information about online safety and what you can do if your child has been bullied, witnessed bullying or been involved in bullying.
For more information on anti-bullying strategies for NSW public schools refer to the department’s Bullying of Students – Prevention and Response Policy.
For information on racial bullying and anti-racism education for NSW public schools refer to:
Our teachers use a variety of strategies to assess student learning.
Student leadership
Student leadership helps young people find their voices, participate in decision-making, and understand their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. It helps students have a real impact on their learning and school environment and prepares them to participate meaningfully in their community.
Students can be leaders in the classroom, through their actions in the playground, through their support for others, or their involvement in academic, sporting, cultural or local community events or projects.
For more information about opportunities in NSW public schools visit Student voice and leadership.
At Cumberland High School we provide a proven comprehensive student wellbeing structure. Our Wellbeing Team works with staff, students and parents to prioritise and address important issues pertaining to peer relations, academic concerns or individual issues.
Cumberland High School aims to create an environment of understanding and cooperation in which all community members acknowledge that bullying is unacceptable. Our anti-bullying policy (PDF 187 KB) builds on the school's Code of Conduct to provide clear procedures and strategies to prevent, reduce and respond to bullying.