Monterey Secondary College

Monterey Secondary College

Strive
Address
Silvertop Street
Frankston North, Victoria
Australia Australia
Coordinates 38°7′38″S 145°8′49″E / 38.12722°S 145.14694°E / -38.12722; 145.14694Coordinates: 38°7′38″S 145°8′49″E / 38.12722°S 145.14694°E / -38.12722; 145.14694
Information
Type public, secondary, day school
Established 1994
Principal Stuart Jones
Gender co-educational
Campus urban and parkland
Colour(s) cherry, black, white and gold
                
Nickname "Monty"
Website monterey.vic.edu.au

Monterey Secondary College is a public, secondary, day school located in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston North in Victoria, Australia.

It was established in 1994 following the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School, both which were founded during the late 1960s. It now occupies the former Monterey Technical School's campus on Silvertop Street.

The College has a recognised reputation in visual arts and performing arts, notably its college bands and Rock Eisteddfod team.[1] It is also notable for its strong student leadership structure.[2][3]

It has an enrolment of approximately 530 students.[2]

Location

The College is located in a small "green belt" area, near to the northern boundary of the suburb of Frankston, and on the southern boundary of Frankston North. To the south it is bordered by the Peninsula Country Golf Club, to the west by the Long Island Country Golf Club, and to the north by the Eric Bell Sports Reserve. Its main entrance is to the east on Silvertop Street in Frankston North.

History

MHS and MTS

Monterey High School was established first, in 1966. Its first classes were held in four portables located at Monterey Primary School (now known as Mahogany Rise Primary School). Monterey Technical School followed, in 1967. Both schools served the growing demand for secondary education in the northern Frankston suburbs of Frankston North, Carrum Downs and Seaford. During this time, homes in Frankston North (a former defence force/government housing estate) were being transferred to private ownership, Carrum Downs was developing from a post-war Salvation Army settlement into a fledgeling suburb, and new home construction was advancing in Seaford.

The campus of the High School on Monterey Boulevard was completed in late 1966, with its first students starting at the commencement of 1967. The Technical School operated out of portable buildings on the High School grounds - while its campus was being constructed on Silvertop Street. Both campus' buildings were constructed of mixed brick and breeze block, and courts for basketball and tennis and fields for football and soccer were also developed on both campus' grounds. Classroom buildings were mostly stand-alone "wings", which were connected via both covered and uncovered pathways. Each campus housed a large gymnasium and the Technical School also housed a large music centre.

In the early 1980s, the High School was expanded with the construction of a new classroom wing and a new library building. 1989 saw the Les McNamara Scholarship commence - which presents a student of the High School with a full scholarship each year, and is awarded by the Rotary Club of Seaford-Carrum Downs.[4] By the early 1990s, Frankston City Council had decided to merge the schools to reduce administrative costs - as attendance at technical schools had declined dramatically, as students began to strive more for academic achievements rather than learning a trade.

1993 merger

Following a series of consultative parent-teacher meetings a merger was announced to take place in 1993. College records show that the main concern voiced by parents and teachers at the largest consultative meeting, held in the High School's gymnasium, was that the merger may "incite violence" between the traditionally competitive High School and Technical School students. Tension was present between students in the early years of the College, following the merger of the schools, however a reputation for "unruliness" was short-lived. The name of Monterey Secondary College was adopted at the merger of the schools in 1993, and officially used upon its full completion in the 1994 academic year.

The former Technical School site became the Junior Campus (years 7 - 10) of the new College, and the High School site became the Senior Campus (years 11 - 12). The Senior Campus was eventually closed at the end of 1994, with all students relocated to a single inclusive campus on Silvertop Street. The buildings of the former Senior Campus remained standing for three years after its closure, and were finally demolished in 1997. Following the demolition, the area remained an undeveloped wasteland. The site was sold by the Kennett Government to a private investor, who failed to develop the site for some years. It was later repurchased by the Bracks Government, who then donated to Frankston City Council. The site has since been developed into a community park - with a cycling/walking track, playground and skate park also now in place.

Recent history

In 1997, a petition was presented to the Legislative Assembly of Victoria, signed by 1,879 residents of Carrum Downs, which sought action for the:

"construction of suitable facilities in Carrum Downs with the view of relocating Monterey Secondary College from its present location in Frankston North"

The petition, which was instigated by parents of students attending the College and whom lived in Carrum Downs, was unsuccessful.[5] Eventually, Carrum Downs Secondary College and the Carrum Downs Campus of the private Flinders Christian Community College were established in Carrum Downs, during the 2000s, to ease enrolment at Monterey Secondary College.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new gymnasium and a multi-purpose indoor court were constructed, and the former gymnasium was redeveloped into a dance and drama centre. New theatrettes; art, computer, graphic art, science and textiles classrooms, as well as a small farm, were also added. More recently, eight new free-use computer cafés (called "pods") were added and the College cafeteria was redeveloped into a 1950s-style diner.[6] The College has established and maintained a reputation for innovation and success, particularly in the areas of visual arts and performing arts. It has also maintained excellent results in the VCE, leading into 2000 and beyond.

In 2009, it was announced by the Brumby Government that the College will receive A$2 million for the construction of more science classrooms and a new foreign languages centre.[7]

Arts reputation

Monterey Art Exhibition

The annual Monterey Art Exhibition is held at the Frankston Arts Centre, and is officially opened by prolific artist and cartoonist (and long-time friend of the College) Jeff Hook each year.

College bands and ensembles

The College has a number of bands - notably its College Junior Band, College Senior Band and College Jazz Band.

The College Jazz Band is considered one of the finest secondary college bands in the state. It receives regular invitations for public performances, including Federation Square in 2004.[8]

"MontyRock" eisteddfod team

The College first entered the Rock Eisteddfod competition in 1994, with an original production based on cars. Today, its productions are considered a benchmark of the competition. It won the Victorian Rock Eisteddfod in 1996 with a production based on Batman & Robin. Controversy ensued when the Nine Network televised the St. Columba's College production, which was based on the then popular The X-Files, instead of Monterey Secondary College's winning production. It won the competition again in 2000 with an original production called The Ice Maiden. It has also produced award-winning productions based on The Thunderbirds, the rise of the Roman Empire and the theme of evil.

The College's Rock Eisteddfod team is nicknamed "MontyRock".

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ History of "MontyRock" Rock Eisteddfod Challenge productions
  2. 1 2 TeachWeb profile - Monterey Secondary College
  3. ↑ Student leadership at Monterey Secondary College
  4. ↑ Rotary Club of Seaford-Carrum Downs
  5. ↑ Victorian Legislative Assembly: Votes and Proceedings, Nos. 59, 60, 61
  6. ↑ School Choice profile - Monterey Secondary College
  7. ↑ Working Victoria projects - Monterey Secondary College
  8. ↑ Music Department curriculum

External links

See also

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