Heathcote High School

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bgcolor=lightbrown|City||bgcolor=cream|Heathcote, New South Wales, Australia
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bgcolor=lightbrown|Established||bgcolor=cream|1960
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bgcolor=lightbrown|Type||bgcolor=cream|Public Secondary
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bgcolor=lightbrown|Grades||bgcolor=cream|7 to 12
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bgcolor=lightbrown|School website||bgcolor=cream| [http://www.heathcote-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/ Official site]
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Established in 1960, Heathcote High School is set in spacious grounds near the Royal National Park on the southern side of Sydney, Australia. It is a comprehensive co-educational school that educates over 1000 students in years 7-12 and has around 80 staff. Heathcote High prioritises student welfare and a close relationship between the school and the surrounding community. The Principal is Geoff Dodds. [ [http://www.education.net.au/browse_category.php?category=Schools&page=17 "Heathcote High School"] , The National Education Directory of Australia, 2007]

Use by residents

Heathcote High is used not only by Heathcote residents, but also residents of:
*Engadine
*Helensburgh
*Waterfall
*Woronora Heights
*Stanwell Park

Heathcote High School is the starting location for the 56km course of the annual Sydney to Wollongong bicycle ride. [ [http://www.msaustralia.org.au/nswvic/events/oe/gongride2006/docs/course-info.html MS Australia: Sydney-Wollongong ride course information] ]

Bullying

Due to the school's before-mentioned focus on Student Welfare the school focuses heavily on preventing bullying among students. Lectures and anti-bullying programs occur frequently and each month teachers focus on certain types of bullying, such as exclusion.

School uniforms

Students are required to wear school uniforms [http://www.heathcote-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/SchoolPolicies.htm] .

Academics

The school has a long tradition of academic, sporting and performing arts achievements, and prides itself on its broad curriculum, including innovations in vocational educational. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular programs, such as outdoor education, student leadership training and gifted and talented education.

In 2004, student Lisa Campbell was awarded the 'Minister’s Award For Excellence In Student Achievement'. [ [http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:WW1fmeg3NpwJ:https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/detawscholar/min_st_ach/2006/dec06/recipients.doc+%22Heathcote+High+School%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=12&gl=uk "Minister’s Award For Excellence In Student Achievement"] , News South Wales Education Department, 2004]

Parliamentary mentions

Geoff Dodds

In a debate in the Parliament of Australia, on October 09, 2006, Danna Vale MP praised several high school principals including Geoff Dodds of Heathcote High saying "I was privileged to be invited to a year 12 graduation assembly and, once again, was stirred by the thoughtful words of the principal’s Geoff Dodds final address to the students.". [ [http://www.fairgofordavid.org/htmlfiles/documents/hrhansard_09Oct06.htm "Danna Vale MP - Grievance Debate: Australian Values"] , Hansard]

Bravery award

A certificate of commendation for bravery was awarded by the New South Wales Parliament to teacher Greg Moon, with the commendation stating "Mr Moon was leading an expedition of 10 students along the Dufars river when assistant instructor Gemima Robey slipped and fell into the water at a dangerous bend. With no thought for his own safety, Mr Moon rescued Ms Robey from the river and immediately attempted to resuscitate her. Throughout this, Greg continued to manage the students who were under his care and becoming increasingly distressed." [ [http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA20001128004 "Bulahdelah Central School And Heathcote High School Bravery Awards"] , Hansard extract, NSW Legislative Assembly, 28 November 2000]

porting Success

In 2007, Year 12 Student Jacob Tito won the prestigious Pierre De Coubertin Award in recognition for his bravery in the sporting department. He was a contributor to sports such as swimming, athletics, touch football, Aussie Rules and more importantly Cross-Country Running (in which he was school champion, in age group, from 2005 to 2007- Yr. 10 to Yr.12.The Pierre de Coubertin Award is nominated to those high school students across Australia, via the Australian Olympic Committee.

Notable alumni

* Marcela Bilek, 'Physical Scientist of the Year' 2002 and Professor of Applied Physics, University of Sydney [ [https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/inform/yr2002/oct/youngeinstein.htm "Young Einstein"] , NSW Department of Education and Training, October 2002]

References

ee also

List of Government schools in New South Wales

External links

* [http://www.heathcote-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/ Official site]