Parent Teacher InterviewsThe Harrisdale SHS community wishes you and your family a warm welcome to our school.
The transition to a new school – whether from primary to high school, or from one secondary school to another – is a significant event in a student’s schooling experience. It can also be an anxious time for parents as their child learns to navigate a new campus, make new friends, and develop an understanding of the new school’s expectations and routines.
Our teachers, support staff, and programs aim to make this transition a smooth and positive experience for both the student and family. Below you will find helpful advice and links to information that should ease the transition process.
Who to Contact
The following staff members are here to assist with enrolment matters and transition processes:
Enrolment Officers
Sharon O’Neill-Brown & Juliet Cope – for enrolment applications and advice
Principal
Everal Eaton – for enrolments to our Gifted and Talented Program (Year 7 2025)
Associate Principal Year 7, 2024
Matthew Collier – for Year 7 2024 transition program
Associate Principal Year 8, 2024
Brent Kupsch – for interviews with new enrolments into Years 8 during 2024
Associate Principal Year 9, 2024
Kirsten Dowd – for interviews with new enrolments into Years 9 during 2024
Associate Principal Year 10, 2024
Owen Davies – for interviews with new enrolments into Years 10 during 2024
Associate Principal Year 11, 2024
Robert Forte – for interviews with new enrolments into Years 11 during 2024
Associate Principal Year 12, 2024
Erin Parry – for interviews with new enrolments into Year 12 in 2024
Year Coordinators:
Our Year Coordinators monitor and support the transition of new students. They show new students around the campus, explain their timetables, and introduce them to peer ‘buddies’ who will look after them. The Year Coordinators are also a valuable point of contact for parents seeking feedback or advice about their child’s transition. In 2024, our Year Coordinators are:
Samuel Leahy
Year 7 Coordinator,
Glen Innis
Year 8 Support Coordinator,
Paul Miller
Year 9 Coordinator,
Matt Miocevich and Emma Bruns
Year 10 Coordinator,
Sandra London
Year 11 Coordinator,
Cheney Armstrong
Year 12 Coordinator.
Primary-To-High-School Transition
Our primary-to-high school transition process commences when students are in Year 6. Our Associate Principal, Year Coordinator, and support staff visit local intake primary schools to talk to the Year 6 students about our school and what it’s like at high school. Our team also meets with Year 6 teachers to learn about any students who may require additional support or have specific learning needs.
Our Transition Day is held in November, 2024 – usually on a Saturday, when Year 6 students can enjoy full access to our facilities. While the children explore their new school, try out some really cool learning activities and meet their transition leaders, peers and some of their future teachers, our Principal hosts a special reception for their parents where school policies, procedures, and routines are explained.
Orientation Days
Our school year commences with our Orientation Program. This is a time for new students to get to know their peers in their Home Room, make new friends, learn about our school’s routines, find out what equipment they need, and have some fun. Importantly, students are introduced to “The Harrisdale Way” – our expectations and code of conduct for all students – in class, on the grounds, at assemblies, and in the community. During Orientation, students also have their photos taken for their SmartRider cards, and they are issued with their Department of Education student passwords and other essential information for accessing Connect, email, and the internet at school.
Arriving At School
Our school gates open at 8.25am. Students then have 15 minutes to prepare for their day before the first class commences at 8.40am. Please note that students are not permitted early into the school grounds unless they are attending teacher-supervised activities.
Students are discouraged from arriving early; if they do, they are to sit quietly outside and engage in passive activities as we do not have staff available to supervise them.
Students who arrive after the school day has started are to enter through Reception and sign in at the Student Services counter.
Phones are to be kept in school bags, until the student is off the school grounds.
Bike Compounds
We encourage students to walk, or to ride bicycles (and wear helmets), scooters or skateboards to school. This is healthy and also helps reduce vehicle traffic in the local area. Bike compounds are located on Laverton Crescent, Keane Road and Skeet Road.
The compounds are open early enough in the morning to cater for students attending activities before school. It is most important that students lock their bikes/scooters/boards securely in the compounds, preferably away from the perimeter fencing. While the compounds are locked soon after the first bell, regrettably theft and vandalism can occur at other times. Please note that the school cannot take responsibility for the safekeeping or loss of items left in the compounds.
Leaving At The End Of The Day
The last class of the day finishes at 2.50pm. Students exit from gates along Laverton Crescent and Keane Road. We experience significant road traffic congestion in the school vicinity for around 15 minutes each afternoon, from 2.50-to-3.05pm. For this reason, parents picking up their children are encouraged to park their vehicles away from the immediate school surrounds.
Helpful Information
Our helpful information menu is where you will find information on:-
