Merewether High School
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| Merewether High School | |
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| Scientia ac Labore | |
| Established | 1979 |
| School type | Selective, Public, Co-educational, Day school |
| Principal/ Headmaster |
Mrs Keevers |
| Location | Broadmeadow, New South Wales, Australia  |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Campus | Urban |
| Enrolment | ~1,080 (7-12)[1] |
| School colours | Blue |
| Homepage | merewether-h.schools.nsw.edu.au |
Merewether High School is a co-educational, academically selective high school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. It is located in Broadmeadow, a suburb in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The school site is the block enclosed by School Street, Awaba Street, Chatham Street, Pokolbin Street and Melville Road.
Since 1989 enrollment is determined by an academic selection process and Merewether High School is the only selective high school in the Lower Hunter. Approximately 1,000 students attend, and the school has a planned capacity of 1,080 students (180 from each year from 7-12). The first year that the school had maximum enrollments in all years was 2005. Its current principal is Yvonne Keevers, instated during Term 1, 2008. Keevers was brought in after Peter Hall, who was preceded by Beverly Peattie (who retired at the conclusion of Term 3, 2006).[citations needed]
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[edit] History
Merewether is 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 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. Another more recent event that affected the school was the floods of June, 2007. In these floods many trees were downed and the carpets of some of the blocks lower floors (eg K block, The Library) had to be replaced. Fortunately the school did not sustain too much damage and has now been repaired, all rubble removed also.
[edit] Student body
Entrance to the school is gained through an aptitude test. Many students attempt to gain entry to the school every year, but only a small amount succeed. Because students are selected on an academic basis, rather than geographic selection from a single feeder area, the school attracts gifted students from around the region. They typically commute to Merewether by bus, train, bicycle or car.
[edit] Extra-curricular activities
Merewether offers many extracurricular clubs and activities to its students, many of them musical ensembles, including: string ensemble, orchestra, jazz band, and concert band. Other activities include a chess club and the robotics club.
Merewether High School has participated in Odyssey of the Mind since at least 1992 [2]
There are also various sporting teams including: cricket, soccer, Rugby Union (Merewether Moos), Rugby League, Australian Football League (AFL), hockey, netball, volleyball, rowing, and an aerobics team.
The school Student Representative Council consists of six students from each year, elected by their peers. The Prefect Body is also elected by the students, of which four are chosen to be the captains of the school.
[edit] Student Representative Council
Merewether High School's SRC (Student Representative Council) consists of six members from each year. In Year 7, one student from each class is elected; in the remaining grades six from the year are elected, regardless of class.
The SRC nomination process begins in Term 2, as such, members terms are across two years.
[edit] Alumni
- Justin Norris, Australian butterfly and individual medley swimmer, who won the bronze medal in the 200 m butterfly at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.[citation needed]
- Tim Ambrose, wicketkeeper for the England cricket team.
[edit] References
- ^ Merewether High School. School Locator. NSW Public Schools. Retrieved on 2008-02-21.
- ^ Odyssey Of the mind (HTML). Archives of the NSW Legislative Council (1992-05-06). Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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