Geelong High School
| Geelong High School | |
|---|---|
|
Latin: Vitae Nos Parat [It] Prepares Us for Life | |
| Location | |
|
Geelong, Victoria Australia | |
| Coordinates | 38°09′10″S 144°22′26″E / 38.1528°S 144.3738°ECoordinates: 38°09′10″S 144°22′26″E / 38.1528°S 144.3738°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Public, Co-educational, High school |
| Established | 1910 |
| Principal | Glenn Davey |
| Assistant principals |
Ruth Higginson, Peter Drummond, Ken Stewart |
| 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. The school opened in 1910, making it one of Victoria's oldest state secondary schools, and moved to its current site in 1915.[1] The current principal is Glenn Davey
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 students from Years 7–12 and has an enrolment of about 900.
History
On February 8, 1910, 79 students together with eight teachers and an Acting Headmaster, began classes in a couple of disused rooms at the Gordon Institute of TAFE. John William Gray was appointed Headmaster in April 1910. Twelve months later, enrollment had increased to 150 and 12 rooms were being used at the Gordon. The school was renamed the Geelong High School and as such became Geelong's first State Secondary School. The current site was selected and the new school, to accommodate 450 students, was completed in August 1915.
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 has been identified as one of the 50 "most needy schools" in the state of Victoria, in an audit conducted by the Victorian state government. This has led to students sending letters to MHR for Corio Richard Marles, as well as other politicians, writing of "teachers and students working in classrooms with cracked walls, substandard heating and no cooling" - pleading for funding to fix and upgrade the school.[2][3]
Curriculum
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 into secondary education.[4]
In 2003, the school introduced the ILP programme,[5] 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.[6] The language was introduced as a replacement for Korean as a LOTE subject, which had been taught since the mid-1990s but was removed from the school curriculum at the end of 2006. The school also offers German as a LOTE subject.
Geelong High school offers a number of senior study pathways for year 10, 11 and 12 students, including Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and Vocational Education and Training (VET).
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
VET, as part of the VCE program, combines a student's general studies with vocational ones in Year 10, 11 or 12. The aim is to give participating students an advantage when applying for a full-time apprenticeship in trade areas. Geelong High School teaches in VET Information Technology as well as VET Dance.[7]
School-based Apprenticeships
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.[8]
Extra Curricular
Performing Arts
Drama
During 1994, the school purchased some former church buildings on the corner of Ryrie and Garden streets, and converted them into what is now the Shenton Performing Arts Centre.[9] This complex hosts a fully equipped theatre, in addition to 'music classrooms', 'dance studios' and 'performance spaces.'
Music
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
The VET course Certificate II in Dance is offered to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes, to establish a career in dancing. As part of their 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 students in Geelong.[10]
Artist in residence
In 2002 the school was involved in the Artists in Schools program, under which an artist in residence helped students make their own books while also learning more about the city where they live.[11]
Sport
The sports the school offers include: cricket, baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, golf, football, hockey, soccer, basketball, netball, table tennis and badminton.
Student Exchange
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.
Notable Alumni
- Prof. John Walter Cherry[12] - Theatre Director, Foundation Professor of Drama at Flinders University, and Professor of Theatre at Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
- James Alexander Grant[13] - Author, Anglican Priest, Fellow of Trinity College (University of Melbourne), and Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.
- Geoff Howard[14] - ALP State politician. MLA for Ballarat East September 1999 - . Parliamentary Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment 1999-2002. Parliamentary Secretary, Agriculture 2002-2006.[15]
- Ronald Grant Lyon[16] - Architect and President of the Victorian Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, 1966-67.
- Rod MacKenzie[17] - State politician. MLC for Geelong 1979-1992. President, Legislative Council 1985-88, Minister of Soldier Settlement April–December 1982, Minister of Forests and Minister of Lands 1982-83, Minister of Conservation, Forests and Lands 1983-85.[18]
- Sir Walter Ramsay McNicoll[19] - Founding headmaster of Geelong High School, and principal of Presbyterian Ladies' College, Goulburn, New South Wales.
- Lee Troop - Olympic marathon runner.
- Mark Wilson (musician)[20] - Famous bass player/rockstar for the world wide known band Jet (band)[21]
Controversies
In 2006, the school became the subject of national focus after the banning of 'touching' and 'hugging' amongst students. The move was the subject of some criticism and featured on shows such as Today Tonight, A Current Affair and Sunrise.
^
In 2009, the discovery of broken asbestos-cement sheeting in the school hall was publicised in the local media. The problem has since been resolved.[22]
References
- ↑ Peter Begg (1990). Geelong - The First 150 Years. Globe Press. ISBN 978-0-9592863-5-9
- ↑ http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F4ebaa8b7-b909-4262-932a-960ef76e20ad%2F0222;page=0;query=geelong%20high%20school;rec=0;resCount=Default
- ↑ http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2012/03/16/313801_news_pf.html
- ↑ Geelong High Curriculum - Official Website Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ Independant (sic) Learning Pathways (ILP) (Accessed: 20-06-2007) Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ "Geelong students send peace symbols to Japan". Geelong Advertiser. www.geelongadvertiser.com.au. June 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ↑ Geelong High School Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ Geelong High School Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ Geelong High School - History Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ Geelong High School Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ Minchin, Liz (June 19, 2002). "Program taps into schools' artbeat". The Age (Melbourne: www.theage.com.au). Archived from the original on 2011-01-11. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ↑ J.W.Cherry Biography Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ J.Grant Trinity College exhibition Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ G.Howard Biography Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ "Mr Geoff Howard". Members Information. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ R.G.Lyon Obituary Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ R.MacKenzie Biography Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ "Mackenzie, Roderick Alexander". Re-Member. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
- ↑ W.R.McNicoll Biography Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite
- ↑ Mark Wilson (musician)
- ↑ Jet (band)
- ↑ Geelong High fined $10,000 after students, teachers and tuckshop mums were exposed to asbestos - Geelong Advertiser Archived 11 January 2011 at WebCite