| Geelong High School | |
|---|---|
|
Vitae Nos Parat
(Latin for "Prepares Students for Life") |
|
| Location | |
| Geelong, Victoria, Australia | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public, Co-educational, High school |
| Established | 1910 |
| Principal | David Whelan |
| Assistant principals | Wayne Johannesson, Peter Drummond, Ruth Higginson |
| Staff | 89 (68 teaching, 21 non-teaching) |
| Grades | 7-12 |
| Enrolment | 893 |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Colour(s) | Navy Blue, Maroon and Gold. |
| Nickname | GHS |
| Website | www.geelonghigh.vic.edu.au |
Geelong High School is a co-educational, public, secondary school located in East Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It is situated on the corner of Garden and Ryrie streets and backs on to Eastern Gardens, (home of the Geelong Botanical Gardens). Both Eastern Beach and the centre of Geelong are within easy walking distance. Geelong High School accommodates nearly 900 students from Years 7–12. The school opened on the current site in 1915.[1]
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The school has recently undergone some major reconstruction, providing new woodwork and metalwork studios, science labs, computer pods and a new gymnasium and library, in addition to a learning centre complete with a computer pod, classrooms and a theatrette. The work was done to accommodate and assist Year 7 students in their learning.
Geelong High School operates a year 7 program which is independent of the main curriculum structure. Year 7 students are situated in groups and each group has two teachers that teach them for Science & Maths and English & Humanities. The year 7 program is designed to help students better manage their transition from primary education in to secondary education.[2]
In 2003, the school introduced the ILP programme,[3] a programme in which students in Years 8–10 can choose their subjects based on their interests, learning abilities and career paths.
In 2008, the school commenced teaching the Japanese language to Year 7 students, and has since introduced the subject across all year levels.[4] This curriculum was introduced as a replacement to the Korean LOTE subject, which was taken out of the school curriculum at the end of 2006. In addition to Japanese, the school also offers German as a LOTE subject for students.
Geelong High school offers a number of senior study pathways for year 10, 11 and 12 students, including VCE, VCAl and VET studies.
VET (Vocational Education Training) in the VCE programs combine general and vocational studies while the students are at school doing Year 10, 11 or 12 which gives students an advantage when applying for a full-time apprenticeship in trade areas. Geelong High School teaches in VET Information Technology as VET Dance.[5]
Students in Years 10 and 11 have the opportunity to undertake part-time traineeships which include paid work placements and the opportunity to complete VET studies in the student's chosen area.[6]
During 1994, the school purchased and converted a number of buildings into what is now the Shenton Performing Arts Centre.[7] This complex hosts a fully equipped theatre in addition to 'music classrooms', 'dance studios' and 'performance spaces.' In 2002 the school was involved in the Artists in Schools program, where an artist in residence helped students own books while also learning more about the city where they live.[8]
As well as school productions, students are also able to study and perform music. Geelong High School offers both Classroom Music and an Instrumental Music program to its students. Classroom Music is offered through the ILP program.
Dance at Geelong High School is highly regarded in the schools culture and surrounding community. With a newly renovated and redeveloped Dance studio, as well as creative and exploratory new Dance units and teaching styles.
The VET course Certificate II in Dance, is offered to provide students with the technical and performance skills, knowledge and attitudes to begin the process of establishing a career in the entertainment industry. As part of assessment, all first and second year VET students annually perform their own group compositional ensemble piece in the Splash Dance festival showcase at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Geelong High School offers this course to all other Geelong school students to participate in.[9]
The sports the school offers include: cricket, baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, golf, football, hockey, soccer, basketball, netball, table tennis, badminton and tennis.
Geelong High School offers language studies in both German and Japanese, with an established exchange program in both of those languages where students have the opportunity to visit and live with families in these respective countries for a period of time.
In 2006, the school became a nationwide focus after the banning of 'touching' and 'hugging' amongst students. The school was criticized and featured on shows such as Today Tonight, A Current Affair and Sunrise.
In 2009, the school has come under scrutiny from local media from the discovery of asbestos in the school hall. This problem has since been resolved.[16]
In 2009, television program 60 minutes attempted to air a segment on teen suicide at the high school. This was blocked by an eleventh-hour injunction in the Victorian Supreme Court from beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett.[17][18]