Bentleigh Secondary College

Bentleigh Secondary College is a coeducational public high school in Bentleigh East, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1956, it has been renamed several times before becoming Bentleigh Secondary College. The current Principal is Helene Hiotis.^[1]

Bentleigh Secondary College has recently been re-developed. In stage one of the building program, funded by the state government, a new performing arts centre, administration block, and sports stadium were built. The building that was previously the college library has been converted into a VCE centre. A new science block was also completed in late 2008, following the demolition of what was previously B-block and C-block.

Campus

The college is made up of eight main buildings:

• A-Block, consisting of about eight classrooms along a long corridor, is one of the oldest buildings in the school. Several of the classrooms have been purpose-built for science lab sessions, while others are for general use. Typically, science and maths classes are held here. Part of the year 9 lockers are housed beside this block and the year 7 lockers are located inside.
• D-Block is used primarily for art, IT and LOTE classes. It also contains year 11 lockers.
• E-Block consists of several specialty classrooms including the woodwork, textiles, Media and automotive rooms. It also features three general purpose classrooms.
• The Administration Block was built in stage one of the college's building program. It consists of offices, conference rooms, a staff room, the sick bay and the library. Only two food technology rooms and the library are used for classes.
• The Performing Arts Centre was converted in 2006 from the Bertrand-Mitchell Hall (a theatre building). While the same structure was kept, the interior was completely refurbished. The centre was renamed in 2009 to the 'Peter Stevens Performing Arts Centre'. The centre currently boasts a main theatre area, foyer, dance room, drama room, two music classrooms and music practise rooms. Featuring retractable tiered seating, it is also attached to the canteen.
• The Sports Stadium, informally known by students as "the barcode" due to its prominent design, boasts two sports courts and changerooms. Heavily utilised by sports and P.E. classes, the stadium is also rented to the community, and sports organisations such as basketball teams are based there.
• The VCE Centre was converted from the former library. It has an open plan style with teachers' desks at the centre, several classrooms, and generous study space. It is used by students, particularly those in year 12, undertaking VCE studies.
• The Science Block was completed under stage two of the college's building program, and incorporates the college library. Most of the Year 9 lockers are located beside this block as well as the Year 10's.
• The J-Block is where Year 8 lockers are and main classrooms. There are 7 classrooms and all except 3 are joined. J-Block is named after school alumnus and benefactor, Joken Tan.

B-Block and C-Block, both chiefly consisting of general purpose classrooms, were demolished under the college's building program. C-Block also had several textiles, food technology and IT rooms.

The college grounds include a sustainable garden, a football oval and soccer pitches.

LOTE

One of two languages can be learnt. Students choose from learning Japanese or Indonesian and attend three periods of their elected language per week for Year 7 and 8. After Year 8, LOTE becomes an elective subject.

Gifted & Talented Program

The college has implemented a Gifted & Talented Program whereby students, based on the results of a standardised test undertaken before entering high school, of high potential to achieve are grouped into one class until the end of year nine.

Performing Arts

Performing arts at Bentleigh Secondary College consists of music, drama and dance. With the option to study an instrument, there are several well-developed school bands. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the most senior of the bands made up of brass, woodwind and percussion players. This ensemble competed in the Advanced Concert Band section of the Melbourne School Bands festival for the first time in 2009. There is also a concert band, Intermediate Band and Year 7 Concert Band. There are Senior, Intermediate and Junior Jazz Bands, as well as senior rock band which perform at the annual "Big Band Boogie" and on concert nights. In addition to these bands there are a dozen or so small ensembles such as brass ensemble and clarinet ensemble. Also new this year is the college choir, which is open for all students to join.

Every year in the third term, a school production is performed. Past productions have included Fame, The Witches (which toured local primary schools), Alice In Wonderland, Urinetown, Under Milk Wood, Annie, and The Truth.

Footloose was Bentleigh's 2010 School Production. Every show sold out, and the performance demonstrated the many talented students attending Bentleigh Secondary College, giving the school an impressive image. 'Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville' is the School's production for 2011. For each school Production, the Music Department also organises a Production Band of students and staff to accompany the Actors.

Subjects

VCE/ Year Twelve subjects offered in 2017:
Accounting
Biology
Business Management
Chemistry
Drama
Design & Technology
English
English As A Second Language
Food Technology
General Mathematics (Further) General Mathematics (Specialist) Health and Human Development
History (Revolutions)
Hospitality (VET)
Japanese
Legal Studies
Literature
Mathematical Methods
Media
Musical Performance (Solo)
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Studio Art
Visual Communication and Design

Fire incident

At approximately 3:00 am on February 10, 2008, two police officers saw smoke coming from the school and a car leaving this area. The fire has caused more than $100,000 in damage, however the decision of the officers to proceed to the cause of the smoke rather than pursue the culprits prevented further destruction.^[2]

Braided Hair Controversy

In March 2017, two sisters who attend the college were ordered to remove their hair-braids or face consequences by school staff. The sisters, of South Sudanese descent, pointed out that the braids were the healthiest and best way to manage their hair and refused to remove them.^[3] The sisters accused the school of discrimination. Media coverage and public outcry resulted from the incident due to the school's perceived lack of racial sensitivity and understanding.^[4]

References

External links

• Official website