Balwyn High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Balwyn High School
city = Balwyn North
country = Victoria
established = 1954
type = State school
students = ≈1900, Coeducation
grades_label = Years
grades = 7 to 12
principal = Bruce Armstrong
nicknames = BHS, Balwyn High, Balwynhs
mascot = Lion
colours = Navy Blue, Gold, Bottle Green
motto = "Constanter ac Fideliter" (constantly faithful)
ranking_in_state = 1st
free_label_1 = Publications
free_1 = "The Lion" (fortnightly newsletter)
yearbook = The Buchanan
website = http://www.balwynhs.vic.edu.au

Balwyn High School is a state-run high school (years 7-12) in the suburb of Balwyn North, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1954. As of 2008 it has some 1,900 students and over 160 staff, making it one of the largest schools in the inner-eastern suburbs of Melbourne or the 3rd largest secondary school in Victorian state.

The reputation of the school grew markedly in the 1960sFact|date=April 2008, along with the expanding postwar student population, under the direction of Headmaster H.M. Rogers. The school assembly hall, named after Rogers, was built with assistance from parents. Managing the large class sizes of the era, the school developed a strong science education at senior levels that saw many of its graduates pass into senior academic, government and private sector positionsFact|date=April 2008.

The school buildings were redeveloped in 1994 after merging with Greythorn High School. Since 1996 the school has operated an International Students Program which is intended to select quality students from East and Southeast Asian countries. It has been claimed that families move to live within the school zone so that their children might be eligible for entry to the school. [cite web|publisher=The Age|date=5 February 2006|accessdate=2008-04-07|title=Balwyn's calling the real estate tune these days|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/balwyns-calling-the-real-estate-tune-these-days/2006/02/04/1138958947303.html]

Academic achievements

In 2006 the median ENTER was 85.70, 21% achieved an ENTER at or above 95, and 5% achieved an ENTER at or above 99. In 2004, a record number of students (approximately 50) attained ENTER scores in excess of 97 and the average ENTER of 87.5 was about 30% higher than the state average.

Extra-curricular program

The school has a wide variety of co-curricular programs, including music, sport, debating, cheerleading and community programs. Its music program, which comprises many string orchestras, including: Beginner Strings (Novice), Junior Strings (Junior), Newitt Strings (Intermediate) and Senior Strings (Advanced), concert bands, choirs, stage bands, a full symphony orchestra and many other privately formed smaller groups. In early 2008, a 'co-curricular club expo' was held in the assembly hall to promote all the various programs the school has to offer.

Its chess teams have consistently reached state level competitions, while the school's cheerleading squad the Skyraiders earned two gold medals in Pom and Stunt and finished second (Level 2 Cheerleading/Scholastic) at the 2007 National Cheerleading Championships. [cite web|url=http://www.gym.gymnastics.org.au/07gymsportspec.htm|publisher=Gymnastics Australia|title=2007 Australian Gymsport Spectacular] A fundraising day organised in the school in early 2008 to help fund the Skyraiders caused division amongst the school community in relation to the validity of the cause, many suggesting favour for a more charitable cause. Tommy Rollinson, who graduated in 2007, competed in the International Dance Organisation World Hip Hop Championships in 2006 and 2007. [cite web|publisher=International Dance Organisation|title=World Championship Hip Hop Adults - Solos female 2006.|url= http://ido.jkbserv.de/ido/resultDetail.ido;jsessionid=995FCA5D6691998EDF4D4A5E2E6383AE?type=winnergraphic&competitiongroupid=1902 ] [cite web|url=http://www.clubgrace.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=53|publisher=Club Grace|title=Official results IDO World Championships 2007]

Sport

Balwyn High School has a state-of-the-art sport faculty, with many interschool sport teams representing the school in numerous sports, some at elite levels. The school is renownedfact|date=July 2008 for its specialty in badminton while also performing well in other disciplines such as swimming and athletics.

Other

The school has a notable student leadership programFact|date=April 2008 and strongly emphasises on student voice. There are four houses - Churchill, Strathmore, Windsor and Edinburgh. A 'Student Health and Well being' centre was built in 2007 to cater for these needs. The school offers counselling from youth and social workers. It also recently introduced a 'Safe School Policy' against cyber-bullying. In 2006, the school completed a facility to house a middle years program for year 9 students called Xplore. While rotated through the program, Year 9 student do not attend traditional core subject classes (Maths, Science, English, Geography and History) but instead complete enquiry based projects.

Notable alumni

* Peter Cullen - water scientist [cite web|publisher=The Age|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/took-the-water-war-to-the-wallies/2008/03/17/1205602291264.html|title=Took the water war to the wallies|date=18 March 2008|accessdate=2008-04-07]
* Will Hull-Brown - drummer of The Cat Empire
* Robert Richter - high-profile barrister
* Steve Hooker - pole-vaulter
* Michael Theoklitos - Melbourne Victory goalkeeper

Notes