University High School, Melbourne
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Name |
The University High School |
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| Address |
Story Street |
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| Suburb |
Parkville, Victoria 3052 |
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| Founded |
1893 |
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| Type |
Government |
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| Religion |
Secular |
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| Enrollment |
Over 1000 |
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| Years |
7 to 12 |
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| Principal |
Mr. Rob Newton |
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| Nickname |
Uni High, UHS |
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| Uniform |
None |
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| Motto |
Strenue Ac Fideliter |
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| School Magazine |
Post Ubique |
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| Website | ||
The University High School, UHS or Uni High is a state high school located in Melbourne, Australia. Home to a population of over 1,000 students, it is one of the highest-scoring state schools in Australia, and is one of the highest performing non-selective state schools in Victoria. UHS has large music and mathematics programs, and every year it produces some of Victoria's finest musicians and scientists.
Contents |
[edit] History of the school
Founded in 1893 from a disused Teachers College, the privately owned "University High School" was situated on the corner of Swanston and Grattan Streets, Carlton. In 1900 the school was moved to Victoria Street and then in 1912 it was closed down. In 1910, the "University Practising School" was opened in a former primary school on the corner of Lygon and Lytton Streets, Carlton. In 1913, it changed its name to the "University High School" after the closure of the private school.
Since 1930, the University High School has occupied a site in Story Street, Parkville, adjacent to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and in close proximity to the University of Melbourne and the Central Business District. During World War 2, the U.S. Army set up a camp on the school oval. Additionally, 240 extra students from MacRobertson Girls High School transported to UHS for schooling as their buildings were also seized by the military.
The school caters for approximately 1,180 students, most of whom reside in the local area. A proportion of the school's enrolment comes from further afield, either to participate in special programs like music, the Acceleration Program or as a result of sibling claims. The population is socio-economically, culturally and ethnically diverse and claims a commitment to tolerance and to this diversity.
The recent completion of the $AUD 7 million upgrade of the school facilities was completed in 1997. The school experienced major disruption and change during the previous years through dislocation of classes and staff. The completion of the works has given the school modern facilities with appropriate specialist rooms.
[edit] School structure
The school is structured within a 7 - 10 vertical sub-school framework and a VCE sub-school, consisting of years 11 and 12. This vertical structure does not extend to the delivery of curriculum which is based on a horizontal year level program.
[edit] Sub-schools
Years 7 - 10 have three sub-schools, Brookes, Sharman and Chapman, named after previous principals of the school. Students in year 7 enter a sub-school and stay with this cohort for their management and pastoral care until year 10. Each of these units has a Head of sub-school and three sub-school Co-ordinators, to look after approximately 250 students.
[edit] Bryce sub-school
The Bryce sub-school is named after the immediate past principal and consists of over 450 VCE students in years 11 & 12. The Head of the Bryce VCE sub-school works with a team seven sub-school Co-ordinators and with the Work Education Co-ordinator. The current head of Bryce sub-school is Kevin Campbell.
[edit] Acceleration program
University High School has a scheme for willing, academically able students which allows them to potentially complete their high schooling in 5 years. The curriculum of years 7-10 is completed in 3 years, which approximately corresponds to one year's worth of curriculum completed every 3 terms. In reality, different subjects are accelerated different amounts. In particular, almost all students complete the pre-VCE Mathematics curriculum in the first two years (normally completed in four). For simplicity, they are considered to have done years 7-9 (it is now years 7, 9 and 10). After their third year at UHS, they graduate into VCE and do years 11 and 12 normally. To partake in this program, a student must opt to take a test in their final year of primary schooling (usually grade 6). The sub-school chosen to house the accelerated students is rotated each year between Chapman, Sharman, and Brookes; once VCE is reached all students are housed by Bryce.
[edit] Buildings
The University High School is divided into 10 sectors: West, North, South, East, Music, Hall, Gymnasium, Quadrangle, Oval and GTAC.
The North building was constructed in 1930 during the Great Depression. Because of this, no additional facilities were constructed and therefore assemblies were held in other venues. The north building has four levels, and contains the rooms numbered 100 through 499.
The Music Wing was developed, planned, constructed and funded by ex-students and ex-teachers, including Mrs. Stella Langford and Mr. J. Economo.
Early in 2004, a new Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) was opened for use by staff and students from across the state. This allows students from throughout Victoria to have direct exposure to cutting edge research in the genetics field.
An extension of the canteen has recently been completed in the last quarter of 2006.
A fourth level will be added to the South Wing hopefully before the beginning of Term 1, 2007. This building has been made specifically for the VCE students.
[edit] Admission
The University High School is fervently dedicated to equal opportunity. Students are of both genders and any sexuality, ethnicity, socio-economic status, age, geographic location or ability. UHS selects students based on a number of schemes:
- Location
Candidates for whom UHS is "clearly the closest government secondary college to the permanent place of residence of the custodial parent or guardian." are granted highest-priority entry to the school in accordance with government policy.
- Siblings
Candidates who live outside such areas but who have siblings who are currently enrolled in the school are chosen with second highest priority.
- Music
Consideration will be given to evidence of the instruments played, the level of proficiency, prior learning and ongoing commitment to the study of the instruments. This will be balanced by consideration of the UHS' ability to provide appropriate tuition in a range of instruments at various levels of proficiency.
- Other
Other claims relating to the specific specialist curriculum of The University High School will be considered. However, the number of students accepted is normally small and compelling grounds will need to be established, including evidence in relation to the prior learning, level of proficiency and learning needs of the applicant.
[edit] Uniform
The University High School has only a sport uniform, not a regular uniform. Students wear a green shirt and black shorts or tracksuit pants.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Olivia Newton-John, actor and singer
- John So, current lord mayor of Melbourne
- David Williamson, playwright
- John Coleman, AFL legend (Founder of the 'John Coleman' Medal)
- Allen Aylett, former chairman of the VFL (predecessor of the AFL)
- Michael Klim, olympic swimmer
- Warwick Holt, writer of the hit tv show, The Glasshouse
- Graeme Blundell, actor and writer
- Louis Macklin, keyboard & percussionist in rockband, 67 Special
- Sarah Boyd, bioinformaticist
- Helen Buckingham, current member of the Victorian Legislative Council
- Ruth Curtain, mathematics professor
- Ivan Deveson, former Lord Mayor of Melbourne
- Peter Faiman, movie producer and director
- Dorothy Goble, former member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
- Joan Kirner, first female Premier of Victoria
- Herbert William Lloyd, World War I Major General and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
- James Murray, astronomer
- Frank Oberklaid OAM, Director of pediatrics (professor)
- David Oberklaid, Director of General Medicine (professor)
- Eric Phillips, composer and musician
- Geoffrey Watson, mathematician
- Richard Pratt, businessman
- Garrie Hutchinson, writer and editor
- Jean Baker OAM, former mayor of Heidelberg
- David White, former minister in the Kirner Government
- Elizabeth Blackburn, a leader in the area of telomere and telomerase research
- Gillian Triggs, Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law
- Norman Greenwood, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Leeds, UK
- George Lucas, movie director and writer.
[edit] External links
- UHS website
- [1]
- GTAC website
- [2] - A group page created as part of the Myspace Network by UHS students and Alumni.
