Melbourne High School is the only selective State School in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, for boys in Years 9-12. The equivalent for girls is Mac.Roberston Girls' High School.
| ||
| Name |
Melbourne High School | |
| Address |
Forrest Hill | |
| Suburb | ||
| Established |
1905 | |
| Community |
Urban | |
| Type |
Government (Selective) | |
| Religion | ||
| Students |
Approx. 1,400 Single sex (Boys) | |
| Grades |
9 to 12 | |
| Principal |
Jeremy Ludowyke | |
| Nickname |
MHS, Melbourne Boys, Melbourne High | |
| Mascot |
The Unicorn | |
| Colours |
Maroon and Green | |
| Motto |
Honour the Work | |
| Publications |
Ours (Weekly Newsletter) | |
| Yearbook |
Unicorn | |
| Website | ||
Enrolment at Year 9 is determined by an Entrance Examination, held in June each year. High academic expectations continue through the School. Past students have achieved very strong results in the VCE examinations (Victorian Certificate of Education) and successful placements at tertiary institutuons (well above the state average). Many students and parents prize the school as an "opportunity to experience excellence and an "Education that Inspires"".
Institution
Victoria's first state secondary school, the Melbourne Continuation School (from 1912 called Melbourne High School), was opened in 1905, with 135 girls and 68 boys. The school was the result of the vision of Frank Tate, the first Director of Education, to enable students from the state primary schools to continue on with their education. It was housed in the Old National Model School in Spring Street with Joseph Hocking, an inspector of schools, the first principal. Hocking turned Frank Tate's vision into reality, and quickly the school produced girls and boys of quality, especially many teachers, and by 1919 it had the greatest number of students at Melbourne University (the only university then) from any school.
A rich extra curricula life was built with the strong academic curriculum, sports, music, cadets, drill, excursions, sporting exchanges with Adelaide High School (from 1910), social events and a school magazine. World War I was an important hiatus for the school with many serving (over 500), and the school having a special association with Anzac Cove.
The School continued to grow until accommodation became critical in the 1920's, with the building literally falling down, and the decision was made to split the School and move to alternative sites. The boys were the first to move, in October 1927 to their new home on Forrest Hill, South Yarra and renamed Melbourne Boys' High School. The girls (now Melbourne Girls' High School) moved to Government House in 1931, then to King Street Central School the following year and finally their new home at Albert Park in 1934 and were renamed Mac.Roberston Girls' High School. Despite the Depression, and the slowly building threat of war, the School expanded in its new home. New traditions began such as a house system, with competition in various sports, debating and with the strong music tradition of the school, house chorals. A Memorial Hall paid for by past students was a feature of the new school, at its time the finest school building in Australia.
The outbreak of World War II war meant the school building was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy, and the School was forced to two sites: the new Camberwell High School and Tooronga Road State School. In 1944 the School returned to Forrest Hill, with a new Principal, Major-General (later Sir) Alan Ramsay the first former student of the School to be Principal. All but one of his successors have been former students. The 1950's under Principal Brigadier George Langley was a time of renewal, as the Tecoma camp was re-established and plans for a pool and new P.E. Centre developed. The 1960's saw the first physical expansion of the School's facilities since 1927 with a new P.E. Centre and Pool opened in 1960, a new Library in 1965, the first of many portables in the late 60's, and work was begun on the Junior Science Block (finished 1970).
By the 1980's the School was in poor physical condition, and urgently in need of new facilities to meet the changes taking place in education, particularly following the introduction of computers. Neville Drohan, Principal from 1986 to 1991, was able to secure government funds, together with donations, for a new building to replace the old Physical Education Centre/Pool. Completed in 1992, the New Building included a pool, gym, Music Centre, Library and additional class rooms.
In 1995 the original 1927 building was refurbished and a synthetic hockey field replaced the old grass one. The expansion of facilities allowed the School to increase its enrolment to 1366, the highest it has ever been. The school has been distinguished for its remarkable academic success and can point to many famous "old boys". Becoming more of an academic school over the last 30 years, the school has also retained its strong co-curricula traditions of music, with massed singing, formal assemblies and speech nights, the house sporting competition, house choral competition, an Army and Air Force cadet corps, active current affairs groups and school uniforms.
Student Life
During their experience at Melbourne High School students will become involved in a wide range of activities to broaden their experience of life. This programme is strongly supported by extensive co-curricular activities which are important to the development of students. Students are also encouraged to establish their own clubs and societies with the support of staff, funding and the Administration.
Student may choose from the following list of activities:
- Curriculum, literary and artistic choices
- Sporting and recreational choices
- Educational extension opportunities
- Leadership and decision making opportunities
- Camp and excursion opportunities
In addition, students must take part in the following:
- Year 9 Involvement Programme
- Year 10 Community Involvement
- Year 11 Cultural Involvement
Houses
Interhouse competitions remain an integral part of the school's ethos.
The four Houses with their associated colours are:
- Yarra (Red)
- Como (Yellow)
- Forrest (Blue)
- Waterloo (Green)
Compete during the year in various Swimming, Musical, Athletic, House Singing competitions as well as minor competitions such as Debating, Football.
Facilities
Over the period 1992 to 2003 Melbourne High School has significantly improved the educational facilities available to students, staff and the community to be among the best in the State of Victoria.
These facilities have been, or are being, funded by the state government, parents, joint development agreements with outside organisations, the Old Boys and friends of the School.
Present and Ongoing Projects
- Millgrove Outdoor Education Centre
Over several years the School camp at Millgrove (near Warburton) has been upgraded with the planting of 3000 native trees, the construction of a high ropes course and flying fox, the building of a manager’s residence and the installation of a new kitchen.
- Cadet Headquarters (2002)
Significantly funded by the Old Boys and the RSL Clubs of Waverley, Oakleigh and Bentleigh. A new home for the School Army and Air Force Cadets incorporating orderly rooms, meeting room, seminar rooms, display areas, kitchen and toilets.
- Old Boys Pavilion Changerooms (2002)
New changerooms for visitors are being constructed contiguous to the present Old Boys’ Pavilion.
- Hockey Pavilion (2002)
Built as a joint development between the School and the MCC. This magnificent facility will house four changerooms, first aid room, storage facilities, toilets and showers, kitchen and canteen, substantial dining area, display spaces and outside patio and viewing areas.
- Library
The School Library is a well-tuned, highly organised and creative area that provides stimulus for studying, thinking and doing, for imagining, creating and learning.
Future Projects
- Art Classrooms (2004)
Seven world standard art rooms to allow learning of the highest standards and variety.
- Performing Arts Centre (Future)
To seat 600. Containing flexible stage, hydraulic orchestra pit, display areas, practice and rehearsal rooms, changerooms, kitchen and entertainment spaces.
Past projects
- "New Building" (1992)
Containing classrooms, library, music suite, gymnasium, swimming pool, weights room and cardio room. Completed at the end of 1992 and officially opened in 1993, the new building is a four level multipurpose facility housing a heated 8 lane swimming and water polo pool, weight training centre, games hall and gymnasium, general purpose classrooms, science laboratories and an extensive top floor library. Entrance is either from the main School building, at a variety of levels, or through the Chapel Street pedestrian entrance.
- Refurbishment of 1927 Building (1995)
Returned the original 1927 building to its former glory and added computer suite, dark room, new general office, improved classrooms, conference room, heritage room and an improved canteen and dining area.
- Hockey Field Complex (1995)
A joint development with the City Of Stonnington, the MCC, Melbourne High School Old Boys and the School. Provided a synthetic hockey field and two plexipave netball/basketball courts.
- School Oval (1999-2002)
With initial support from the Old Boys, the oval was reconstructed, reshaped and provided with new drainage, new turf wickets, new watering system, improved lighting and new fencing.
- Gymnasium Extensions (1997 and 2000)
A cardio room was constructed and outfitted with fitness equipment in 1997. Then, in 2000, an underutilized area was converted into a fitness area, offices, and massage room.
- Junior Science Rooms (2000)
Four old science rooms were totally rebuilt into world standard science facilities with corresponding storage, preparation and staff rooms.
Sister Schools
Sister school relationships exist with high schools in Japan, Germany, Indonesia, France and with North Sydney Boys' High School. Teams from Melbourne High and North Sydney High School compete for the Crawford Shield annually. Annual exchanges are in place with all of the sister schools, giving students the opportunity to see school life in different states, and even different countries. The exchnages take place once a year, alternating between taking students, and sending students overseas. The Japanese exchange with brother school Kasukabe High School sees Japanese students arrive in Australia every even year, while students are given the opportunity for travel every odd year.
Principals of Melbourne High
- Mr. Joseph Hocking (1912-1923)
- Mr. Claude Searby (1923-1934)
- Mr. James Hill (1934-1943)
- Major-General Alan Ramsay (1943-1949)
- Mr. George Langley (1949-1956)
- Mr. William Woodfull (1956-1962)
- Mr. Frederic Wells (1963)
- Mr. Edward Thompson (1964-1969)
- Mr. Laurence Collins (1970-1975)
- Mr. Lou Barberis (1975-1986)
- Mr. Neville Drohan (1987-1991)
- Mr. Raymond Willis (1992-2004)
- Mrs. Jeremy Ludowyke (2005-2005)also CEO of DNA Magazine
Famous alumni
- Cr Ron Clarke - athlete, former holder of 18 world records for distance running, philanthropist and mayor of Gold Coast
- Anthony Luis Lopez Lawang aka Lamaroc - Respected dancer in the Australian HipHop community, winner of Battle of the Year 2003 Australia Best Solo Breakdancer
- Simon Crean and Frank Crean - ALP politicians
- John Dietrich - stage singer, actor and AFL footballer for South Melbourne
- Ralph Doubell - Olympic athlete, Australia's last male Track & Field Gold Medallist (1968 800m)
- Sir John Eccles - Nobel Prize Winner - Medicine
- Gareth Evans - ALP politician & former Foreign Minister
- Jon Faine - ABC radio announcer
- Lindsay Fox - successful businessman, founder of Linfox
- Moray Fraid - successful businessman
- Michael Gawenda - editor of The Age newspaper
- Max Gillies - comedian
- Michael Gudinski - businessman, entrepeneur, founder of Mushroom Records.
- Brian Howe - politician
- Barry Jones - politician, ALP Minister and President and TV Quiz Show 'Pickabox' legend
- Graham Kennedy - Radio and TV entertainer
- Julian Knight - mass murderer
- Albert Langer - political activist
- Ian MacFarlane - banker, RBA governor
- William Maldon Woodfull - Australian Test Cricket Captain
- Keith Miller - sportsman, Australian Allrounder and VFL Footballer
- David Morgan - businessman, Westpac CEO
- David Parkin - AFL football legend
- Frank Penhalluriack - businessman
- Neil Roberts - AFL footballer, Brownlow Medalist
- Jeffrey Rosenfeld - surgeon, Victorian of the Year
- George Fincham - Organ maker, donar to many scholarships
- Bruce Ruxton - RSL chief
- Alan Stockdale - Liberal politician, Victorian Treasurer turned Macquarie Banker
- "Bluey" Truscott - WWII fighter ace and sometime Melbourne goal sneak
- Chris Wardlaw - Australian Athletic coach, Sydney Olympics, currently head of Hong Kong education
- Rupert Betheras - AFL player
- Robert Flower - AFL player
- Rene Kink - AFL player
- Mark Lee - AFL player
- Garry Lyon - AFL player
- David Schwarz - AFL player
- Cameron Bruce - AFL player