Capella State High – More Than Just a School

As Tieri celebrates 40 years, many of its residents have either grown up in the area or have chosen to raise their families here. In that time, Capella State High School has provided the educational home for Tieri residents and their children…and even their children’s children!  

Tieri News spoke to Principal, Gerowyn Lacaze, about the role the school has played in supporting the Tieri community over the last four decades.

When did Capella State High School (CSHS) open its doors?

Originally, it opened as the secondary department of Capella State School back in 1984. Capella State High became a school in its own right at the beginning of 1989.

On average, how many students do you have at the school?

Enrolment numbers have fluctuated with the youth population of the towns. At one stage we reached 300 students! Most recently, enrolment numbers have sustained at around 150 students in Years 7 to 12.

And how many staff?

We have a wonderful team of people who are all passionate about making the school a safe, enjoyable and engaging place to learn. Our academic team consists of 13 Teachers, two Deans, six Teacher Aides, and a range of Support Staff.

We have a strong focus on youth engagement at Capella High, so we also have a dedicated Student Services team made up of our Guidance Officer, School Chaplain, Heads of Year, and a Youth Pathways Coordinator.

Every single member of the team plays a crucial role in the success of our school and our students. I’m extremely grateful for the effort and commitment they give and would like to say a big thank you to them all.

Which local areas does the school serve?

Capella, Tieri, and surrounds

What are the founding principles (or values) of the school?

Success, teamwork, attitude, and respect

How do you bring these to life for your students?

Our Students First framework takes a proactive approach to facilitating connections between students and their school, the community, and their educational outcomes.

It places emphasis on wellbeing and recognises that school is far more than simply a place of instruction. School is central to our young people’s daily lives.

How do rural schools like Capella differ from schools in a big town or city?

As a school committed to maintaining small class sizes, we know every single young person in our school. They’re not just a number to us. This means we can focus on delivering a personalised learning experience for every student’s individual goals.

What are you most proud of about your school?

There’s so much I’m proud of, from our Personal Growth program that focuses on social skills and practical life education, to our annual arts performance, contemporary music lessons, district sporting competitions, student council, and our Recreational Enrichment program. We work hard to help every student to unearth and explore their passion, whatever it may be.

Tieri is celebrating 40 years this year. When you reflect on the town and its community, what stands out for you?

That Tieri is such a great place to raise kids, offering them the freedom of a childhood in the bush. That and how our country teenagers are highly approachable, open, and honest. I’m really proud of them.

“It takes a village to raise a child”…what role does CSHS play in the ‘villages’ you support, including Tieri?

Our school exists for the young people of both Tieri and Capella, with 40 percent of our students taking the coach from Tieri each morning.

Our range of curriculum goes beyond what one would expect. From traditional academic excellence such as Biology in our fully equipped labs and Agricultural Science on our student-run ag plot, to practical pathways like Hospitality in our commercial venue – the Country Cookhouse – or film and television with our industry equipment. We aim to expose our students to as diverse a range of learning opportunities as possible to equip them with the knowledge and skills to succeed, whatever path they choose.

How has CSHS evolved over the last four decades, to ensure it continues to provide the best educational experience for students and staff alike?

Technology, in particular since Covid, plays a significant role in 21^st century teaching and learning. With our 1:1 iPad scheme, all students have a device, and all learning materials are available to them from anywhere, at any time.

Our modern classrooms feature large interactive TouchBoards, and our teachers are focused on developing skills of research and critical evaluation.

How do you work with your strategic partners to enhance the school experience?

We’re fortunate to have a wider variety of partners that bring further depth of experience and expertise to our school and students.

Our industry partnerships offer students outstanding opportunities, including with Glencore—a significant contributor to our school, most recently investing in establishing a school radio station with a state-of-the-art broadcast studio.

Our community partnerships facilitate programs such as our Cattle Club and our social and emotional wellbeing programs (one of which is delivered by CTM Links).

Our local business partnerships offer wide-ranging volunteer and work experience placements.

And our academic partnerships enable our students to start university while still at school.

What does the future look like for the school?

Our school continues to grow and transform with our students. We are constantly adapting our offerings to suit our young people’s interests and futures.

We’re expanding our at-capacity contemporary music program, extending our agricultural curriculum with the introduction of aquaponics, rolling out a new web-based learning system, and growing our rugby, netball and volleyball inter-school tournaments.

For families who have just arrived in Tieri, or for those who might be considering a move to Tieri, what would you like them to know about CSHS?

We are one of the highest performing schools in the region in terms of student effort, behaviour, and academic results. Choose your local high school – a small school with enormous opportunities.