What To Expect From Nossal High School????

[Hallows]

Hi all,
I recently got accepted into Nossal High School. My first preference was Melbourne High, but missed out in the Principal's Discretion round. I still decided to go to Nossal anyway but I have a few worries.

I was just wondering what to expect. Are the homework and classes hard? Is everyone competitive? Are teachers good? I was also wondering if anyone knew the best option on how I could get to school? I live near Blackburn station.

Any other information on what the school is like in any way will greatly help me!

[amorphous]

HI there future Nossalonion!
I was a year nine last year, I found that as long as you keep up with the work, it's not necessarily that hard, most of it was learning on your own through OneNote or other resources like NEO (the teachers didn't check homework that frequently). All the classes except electives were team taught, meaning the two classes in each house were taught together by two teachers.
Not EVERYONE is competitive, i actually found most people were pretty chill.
Most Nossal students catch the train to school. If you do choose to take the train, you should get on the Middle Brighton train line at Blackburn station and get off at Clayton. Then from Clayton, take the pakenham line and get off at Berwick. If this doesn't suit you, you can plan you journey here: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey#jpsearch%5Baction%5D=showPlanner.
Nossal is a great school and good luck!

[thammie]

HI there future Nossalonion!
I was a year nine last year, I found that as long as you keep up with the work, it's not necessarily that hard, most of it was learning on your own through OneNote or other resources like NEO (the teachers didn't check homework that frequently). All the classes except electives were team taught, meaning the two classes in each house were taught together by two teachers.
Not EVERYONE is competitive, i actually found most people were pretty chill.
Most Nossal students catch the train to school. If you do choose to take the train, you should get on the Middle Brighton train line at Blackburn station and get off at Clayton. Then from Clayton, take the pakenham line and get off at Berwick. If this doesn't suit you, you can plan you journey here: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/journey#jpsearch%5Baction%5D=showPlanner.
Nossal is a great school and good luck!

I have to agree.... Nossal is a great school!! I've only been there for one year but it has been awesome!!! The homework is quite okay (it is definitely achievable!). Most of the people I've met are really nice and willing to help each other... they are not competitive at all (but I guess that also depends on who you meet haha). Most of the teachers are also really helpful and supportive.... All the best for your first year at Nossal!!

[thammie]

Thanks so much! This really cheers me up hearing it from actual students at the school. I was also wondering how the team teaching actually works? Do the 2 teachers just go back and forth explaining what you have to do? I'm quite confused about how they would work together to actually teach the class.

Hi! Team teaching is basically two classes being combined together. The teachers take turns to teach the classes and also add extra detail to the lesson after the other teacher is done. It's pretty much like a normal class, except that the classes are bigger and you get to hear from two teachers instead of one. It is also briefly mentioned in the New Student Handbook (pg 29) http://nossalhs.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/New-student-handbook-2017.pdf  I'm not really sure about years 9 and 10, but in yr 11, not all classes are team taught (I only had 1 subject that was team-taught.).

[Aaron]

was also wondering how the team teaching actually works?

In addition to what thammie has said, team teaching has significant benefits for student learning. Whilst the class numbers are somewhat higher (due to the combination of classes), the fact there are two-three teachers, makes it easier for students to get assistance when they need it. Usually with team taught classes, there's some sort of pre-planned structure (e.g. one does direct instruction, the other acts as support) or something like that. A Team taught class also allows for collaboration between peers, which is great if you're a social person who likes having a second opinion or explanation.

You will find that at the lower levels team teaching is more common, as opposed to VCE/upper years.

More schools are adopting team teaching (or more broadly known as co-teaching) - so it isn't as unique as it once was. You will definitely benefit from a team teaching arrangement. Hope that helps.

Source: Personal experience on teaching rounds.

[successismygoal]

Hey guys, I just got accepted into Nossal High School and I am really excited. However,I want to know if at Nossal they allow students to have a mac, or they require a windows 10 laptop. Someone if u know plx reply.

[Hope 2019]

Hey guys, I just got accepted into Nossal High School and I am really excited. However,I want to know if at Nossal they allow students to have a mac, or they require a windows 10 laptop. Someone if u know plx reply.

Did you just get the offer today?

[successismygoal]

No I got accepted earlier when most others do, but yea i rly want to know if we r allowed macs or windows,:)