Merewether High School
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| Merewether High School | |
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| Scientia ac Labore | |
| Established | 1979 |
| School type | New South Wales Selective Public High School |
| Principal/ Headmaster |
Mr Peter Hall |
| Location | Broadmeadow, New South Wales, Australia |
| Campus | |
| Enrollment | ~1080 |
| School colours | Blue |
| Homepage | Homepage |
Merewether High School is a co-educational, academically selective high school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. The Merewether High School site is the block enclosed by School Street, Awaba Street, Chatham Street, Pokolbin Street and Melville Road, in the suburb of Broadmeadow, in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Since 1989 enrolment has been determined by an academic selection process and Merewether High School is the only selective high school in the Lower Hunter. Around 1000 students attend and the school has a theoretical maximum of 1080 students (180 from each year from 7-12). 2005 was the first year that the school had maximum enrollments in all years. Its current principal is Mr Peter Hall who was preceded by Mrs Beverly Peatie who retired at the conclusion of Semester 1. On Friday the 29th of September the Yr 12 assembly was held for all the students departing their school to take their HSCs. During 2006 an extensive redecorating of one of the toilet blocks was undertaken. However, graffiti of a non-Shae Dekel related form (mostly centered on the eating of healthy meal and presented in Spanish) soon began sprouting up en masse.
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History
Located in Broadmeadow, the school was named after Edward Christopher Merewether who began his working life in Australia as aide-de-camp to three Governors of New South Wales between 1842 and 1861. He was appointed Superintendent of the AA Company in Newcastle in 1861 and became a significant land owner and local benefactor. The school's E.C. Merewether Award for Creative Endeavour and the shield, which adorns the school's front foyer, were inaugurated in honour of Mr. Merewether.
Merewether High School was in 1976 on the site occupied by Newcastle Technical High School since 1952. Cooks Hill Girls High School and Newcastle Technical High School amalgamated as a comprehensive co-educational high school and began the long process of developing a new set of customs and traditions. The Bensley Hall and the Foley Library are named after the last principals of Newcastle Technical High School and Cooks Hill Girls High School respectively. Drawing students from the suburbs of Carrington, Wickham, Hamilton and Merewether, the school flourished in its new role. In 1989, it became a selective high school, and today enjoys a reputation for both academic success and extracurricular achievement.
The campus has undergone numerous modifications and additions as its role and functions have changed. Newcastle Technical High School included the industrial arts block (now the covered outdoor learning area (COLA)), K Block, two bike sheds (since removed) and a canteen (since pulled down and a new canteen built in its place). L block was added in the 1960s, the amenities block on the oval in 1967, C, D, B and A blocks circa 1975 and F and G blocks at some point before 1989. Many buildings sustained severe damage in the 1989 earthquake, but were repaired thereafter.
Student Body
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Being academically selective, the school attracts gifted students from around the region. They typically commute to Merewether by bus, bicycle or parents' car; senior students with drivers' licenses often have cars of their own. There were two large bike sheds built when the school was originally constructed, but these were removed in 1974 to make way for a new canteen and hall. Currently bikes are stowed between L and K blocks.
Graffiti in Merewether High School
The toilet blocks are generally completely covered with graffiti, ranging from personal insults, to poetry to inspirational quotations. The walls are a fascinating read and reveal much about the students at the school. An example of the use of graffiti can be found in the girls toilets in K block. The saying, "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" could be found scrawled by a person with a sense of humour.
Extra-Curricular Activities
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The school offers many extra-curricular clubs and activities for its students. The most active of which are a multitude of music ensembles including:
- MHS String Ensemble
- Consisting of: Violins, Violas, Cello, Double Bass and Piano.
- Former MHS Guitar Ensemble - This ensemble is no longer together.
- Consisting of: Electric and Amplified Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars.
- MHS Orchestra
- Consisting of: Woodwind, String, Brass and Percussion Sections
- MHS Jazz Band
- Consisting of: Alto and Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Xylophone and Drums.
- MHS Concert Band
- Consisting of: Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Guitars.
- There are also many independent bands consisting of students from senior years, some of these were: The Saxbys, BJ and the SHAT, The Physios and The Pits.
- Chess club
- The highly successful Robotics club with several regional and state placings in Robocup
There are also various sporting teams including:
- Soccer
- Rugby Union (Merewether Moos)
- Rugby League
- AFL
- Hockey
- Netball
- Volleyball
- Rowing
- Softball and Baseball
- etc.
