| Kiama High School | |
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| Kiama High School logo
Ad Altiora
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| Location | |
| Kiama, NSW Australia |
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| Information | |
| Type | Coeducational comprehensive state school |
| Established | 1960 |
| Principal | Graeme Sutherland |
| Grades | 7-12 |
| Enrolment | 1282 |
| Colour(s) | Blue, White and Gold |
| Website | www.kiama-h.schools.nsw.edu.au |
Kiama High School (also KHS) is a New South Wales Government co-educational secondary school located in the town of Kiama, New South Wales, Australia.
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Geologically, Kiama High School is located in a unique region of NSW. The school sits beneath Saddleback Mountain and is surrounded by three plutonic flows. The school itself is built on a rock layer named Kiama Tuff. The sedimentary rocks nearby contain excellent examples of sedimentary fossils.
The new M block enjoys a 180 degree ocean view from which the Kiama lighthouse is visible. During high seas the surge from the Kiama Blowhole is sometimes visible from the M block balcony. The annual whale migrations are also visible from this spot.
In 2003, the Government of New South Wales provided A$3.5 million in a rebuilding program which saw several timber buildings dating back to the 1960's demolished and replaced with modern multi storey brick and corrugated iron structures with ample modern natural lighting. The school sits on an easterly sloping block bounded to the east by the South Coast Railway Line, south of Kiama Station.
The two storey L block replaced B block. This new building, completed in 2004, includes 4 modern computer labs equipped with ergonomic furnishings. Also housed are 8 general purpose class rooms and a large common study area on each level.
Adjacent to block L is the new three storey block M. This three storey building was built to replace the former block D, block C and an increasing number of demountable buildings on the southern oval. The block D foundations were sinking and unstable. Building commenced in 2006 and was officially completed in February 2007 ready for the 2007 school year. The building consists of three storeys which house the new combined staffroom on the upper level and Music, Art, and PDHPE below.
The new block M lift provides wheelchair access to buildings M, L and existing buildings via a new multi storey ramp which services both buildings from the A block pathway to provide level access to buildings on the otherwise steeply sloped site. Students and staff now enjoy beautiful beach, ocean and lighthouse views from the newly completed three storey high ramp.
Students in years 7-10 are considered to be a part of the junior school and have a different school uniform to senior students. Juniors have yearly and half yearly exams in nearly every subject, with year 10 sitting for the NSW School Certificate examinations at the end of each year.
Years 11-12 make up the senior school. Senior students have a different school uniform to the juniors.
Students in year 11 complete a preliminary course. Upon its completion at the end of term 3, year 12 graduate and year 11 commence the Higher School Certificate (HSC) course, the graduating high school qualification offered in New South Wales.
Kiama high school embraces the use of ICT. The school is a predominantly Macintosh school. PC's are also used, mainly for accounting purposes. Austar (satellite television) is available in the library and is distributed to other parts of the school through the school's network infrastructure.
Students participate in annual science and mathematics competitions.
A Student Representative Council embeds itself within the school community and is involved in numerous charity campaigns and school events.
The SRC hold elections for each grade during the second semester of the school year. A member elects to campaign for a position on the council and must also have a recommendation from a fellow peer and teacher. Generally four to six students are elected from each year, with a gender equal ratio. These students represent their grade for the third and fourth terms until the first and second term of the following year. Elections may be suspended until third term occasionally.
Year 11 students elect to vote for a male and female captain, a male and female vice captain and two more students, a male and female, to fill the positions of secretary and treasurer. These students form the executive committee which is chaired by the principal, and presided over by the deputy principals and the teacher in charge of the SRC. The school captains represent the graduating year and provide peer leadership to the entire student body. Year 7 has no representation until the mid year elections.
SRC meetings are occasionally attended by the school principal Graeme Sutherland or the deputy principal, Noela Lewis.
SRC representatives are generally highly regarded by their peers due to their role in the organisation of many recreational activities and special events. Such events are generally either funded by the council or presented to the school by the council. The KHS SRC of 2005 were noted for their success in adopting a child from China and funding King Jika Moto his community through donations raised by the school community. The 2006 SRC attempted to introduce new events into the school such as a film festival. The KHS SRC also raises funds to support external worthy causes such as CanTeen (a support network for teens with cancer), Pink Ribbon Day (for breast cancer awareness), Daffodil Day and others. The SRC raises funds for these causes by organising events such as out of uniform days and the occasional sale of popular treats which are ordinarily unavailable from the school canteen.
Kiama High School has developed many performing ensembles including the Vocal Group (organised by Mr Terry Wild), Junior Band, Senior Concert Band and the well known Stage Band (organised by Mr Graham Deans).
The Stage band is known for their annual Jazz Festival, Rotary Club, Leaders Induction and Graduation performances and are asked to perform many more times at such events as Wollongong Steelers Club and religious events.
The senior concert band as also traveled on tours over the past few years including Melbourne, New Zealand and Queensland and recently Tasmania.
Kiama High School has done very well in CHS sporting events, including reaching the national rugby league finals, as well as having former students as national representatives.
The year 7 sports rolls use a naming convention based on native Australian wildlife. Each roll is allocated a mascot and each mascot is a member of a sporting house.
All students are involved in the annual house competition. Staff and students are assigned to the houses Dunstan, Kendall, Bass and Flinders. Roll groups and year 7 sporting rolls are divided into houses.
The school canteen is run by local volunteers.