Warrandyte High School

Warrandyte High School (WHS) is a high school in Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia.

History

Warrandyte High School was opened in 1978 with 42 students and moved into permanent buildings in 1987. When the Triennial Review in 1994 was completed, the school enrolment was 490. In 2000, it was 691 and in 2003 it is closer to 750 students. In a relatively short period of time, the school's student body and staff has increased, attracting students from a wide range of feeder schools. IT IS A SHIT SCHOOL

Location

Warrandyte is situated in the outer north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, 27km east-north-east of the Melbourne Central Business District. Warrandyte was founded as a Victorian town during the Victorian gold rush, and is now generally considered part of greater Melbourne. The nearest major suburbs are Ringwood to the east and Eltham to the north. The catchment area for Warrandyte High School is extremely wide, with students coming from as far as Christmas Hills and Hurstbridge. The National Bus Company, Panorama Coaches and Invicta Bus Service all provide public transport to and from the school.

Infrastructure

Since 2004, there were a number of architectural modifications to the school's buildings and grounds. The outdoor sports complex (now the Michael J. Blake Sports Complex) was completed and officially opened by local celebrity Judy Green. The school's canteen has been extended and renovated to bring it into line with modern Department of Health standards. The Federation Garden Project was completed with the planting of a 'Bush Tucker Garden'. The top driveway (known as the 'bus bay') was sealed, the gardens surrounding it landscaped and a new school sign erected on the corner of Alexander and Warrandyte Road. New indigenous garden areas at the front of the school and between the portable classrooms were planted, to coincide with a general planting around the school grounds. Large shade sails were also erected over the amphiteatre to provide shelter for students. A Library extension/VCE study area (a project with a budget of $260,000) was undertaken and completed during 2004. In excess of $100,000 of locally raised funds was committed to the project together with a grant of $85,000 through the Department of Education and Training, as well as $77,000 from the ICT Modernization Project.

Holly's Heroes

In 2004 WHS became a temporary set for the Nine Network Australia's new series Holly's Heroes produced by Tosi Westside. The 13 episode series aired on the Nine Network, WIN Television, NBN Television and Imparja Television in Australia and on Nickelodeon and TV2 in New Zealand. The show has a basketball backdrop and follows the life of 14-year-old Holly McKenzie. It explored themes of friendship and the rewards that came from participation and the love of sport. It takes place in Woolich High, a high school on Phillip Island. Most filming at WHS took place in the basketball stadium with special lighting mounted on the changing room roof and camera rails along the floor. Filming also took place on the external basketball courts. Involvement with the film industry brought a sense of excitement and curiosity along the way offering students opportunities to participate as paid or unpaid extras. The whole experience provided the students with an insight into the film and television industry.

Curriculum

Theatre studies

Yrear 11 theatre studies productions:

Man the Balloon (2005)
The Fire Raisers (2007)
UBUREX (2007)

Year 12 theatre studies productions:

Warrandyte High Schools All-Time Favourite Sons

Nathan Crabbe
Chris Turd
Aran Eastwood (2002 DUX Congrats Aran!)
Chookas
Gretzky
Smuff
Duggy
Whale Morrison
Andrew Blowjob
Kimberly Janicke
Matt Rhodes
Pete Hall
Principal Michael J Flake

Extracurricular activities

Theatre

In 1983, Warrandyte High school staged its first musical with a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's (G & S) HMS Pinafore.

Since then (except for 1986) Warrandyte High School has staged a major production every year. HMS Pinafore was followed by two other G & S productions, The Pirates of Penzance in 1984 and The Gondoliers in 1985. Oklahoma! was the first production to be staged in the school's new theatre in 1987.

External links

Official page