Ballarat High School

Coordinates: 37°33′16″S 143°49′05″E / 37.55444°S 143.81806°E / -37.55444; 143.81806
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Ballarat High School
Location
Map

Australia
Coordinates37°33′16″S 143°49′05″E / 37.55444°S 143.81806°E / -37.55444; 143.81806
Information
TypePublic, co-educational, secondary, day school
MottoDuty Always
Established1907[1]
PrincipalStephan Fields[2]
Years offered7–12
GenderCo-educational
Enrolment1509
CampusSuburban
Colour(s)      Navy blue, green and light blue
VCE average28[3]
AffiliationBallarat Associated Schools
Websitewww.ballaraths.vic.edu.au

Ballarat High School is a government secondary school located in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

Buildings and grounds[edit]

The school was originally opened on 16 April 1907 as a Continuation School located at 208 Sturt Street (directly opposite the Ballarat Town Hall). This initial location was due to the need to make alterations to the Dana Street Primary school building.

In March 1909, it was announced that the foundation stone of the Agricultural College would be laid that month. In April 1910, the Ballarat Continuation School moved to its present site at the corner of Sturt and Gillies streets, Lake Gardens. The new building cost around 10,000 pounds to construct (approximately $1.3 million in 2018 terms) with a further 1000 pounds for fittings and fixtures. The school then became known as the Ballarat Agricultural High School. Many buildings were constructed around the grounds for the farm, including a concrete silo which still stands today and is listed on the Heritage Council of Victoria's register.[4]

Also in 2018 a new ARCH Learning Center was constructed on the Western End of the School Grounds as a home for the school's Year 9 students who partake in the focused Year 9 program.[5] This program was named the ARCH program, standing for Active, Resilient, Connected and Happy – but also referencing the school's location near the Arch of Victory.

In Term 4, 2019 Art and Technology classes where relocated from the Art/Technology building to allow it to undergo a major reconstruction. The building opened in late 2020, and was named the Sedgwick Centre after previous principal L.L Sedgwick.[citation needed]

Peacock Hall[edit]

When the main building was rebuilt and extended after the 1915 fire, the Assembly Hall was relocated to the top floor. The hall was opened by then Premier Alexander Peacock and features large stained glass windows across both ends of the hall, as well as Honour boards listing students' war service in both World Wars. Boards along the side walls also list School Captains, Council Members, the Dux of the School as well as University graduates.[citation needed]

The stained glass windows were designed by local artist Amalia Field, while staff member Les Ottoway persuaded Melbourne artist George Dancey to design a memorial mural tablet for the hall. The tablet was unveiled by Major Baird on 9 April 1920 and features a finely executed mosaic mural symbolising the triumph of Good over Evil.[citation needed] The mosaic is seen as a fitting reminder of the school's contribution to the First World War.

In 2015, as part of the school's commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, Ceramics teacher Paul Gerardi was the driving force behind the design and production of Ceramic Poppies with a display being placed on the school oval for the commemoration service.[6] After the service, 100 of the poppies were formed into the shape of a wreath and mounted on the wall of Peacock Hall. The remainder of the Poppies were sold with funds raised being donated to the Ballarat branch of Legacy Australia.

Peacock Hall is listed on the Heritage Council of Victoria's register.[4]

Sports[edit]

The school's rowing tradition dates back to its Agricultural High School roots, but the school was not admitted to the BPSA until 1944. An early Head of the Lake win came in 1947, but rowing struggled until the construction of the school's Boat Shed on the shore of nearby Lake Wendouree in 1960. This facility has been upgraded several times over the years.

Since 1996, the school has been a specialist sport school and is a member of the Ballarat Associated Schools. Students represent the school in a range of sports across all year levels including:

BAS premierships[edit]

Ballarat High has won the following BAS premierships.[7]

Combined:

  • Athletics (5) – 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011
  • Badminton (8) – 1985, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2016, 2017
  • Lap of the Lake – 2000
  • Lawn Bowls (7) – 2000, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020

Boys:

  • Athletics (2) – 2009, 2011
  • Badminton (2) – 2014, 2018
  • Basketball (11) – 1989, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • Cricket (13) – 1944, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1968, 1997, 2001, 2015
  • Football (2) – 1958, 2001
  • Hockey (6) – 1979, 1984, 1987, 2008, 2009, 2010
  • Soccer (2) – 1984, 2004
  • Tennis (9) – 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 2005
  • Volleyball (4) – 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006

Girls:

  • Badminton (8) – 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2018, 2019
  • Basketball (10) – 1981, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014
  • Cricket (2) – 1994, 1997
  • Cross Country – 2009
  • Hockey (8) – 1957, 1960, 1961, 1969, 2000, 2001, 2018, 2019
  • Netball (10) – 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013
  • Soccer (4) – 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
  • Softball (13) – 1959, 1960, 1961, 1968, 1975, 1979, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2007, 2009, 2010
  • Volleyball (6) – 1981, 1995, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012

Music[edit]

Ballarat High School has a number of student bands, including the Concert Band and two senior stage bands; The Whizbang and BoB bands. Performances are frequently shown throughout the year to a range of audiences, with the BoB band performing at a Cabaret once every year and both stage bands performing at the quarterly whole school assemblies. The Whizbang band releases an annual CD made possible by Right Click Records, a local recording company. For junior students, there are a number of bands available such as Junior Stage Band and Year 8 Band.

Notable alumni[edit]

Notable staff[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "A Brief History of Ballarat High School". School History. Ballarat High School. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
  2. ^ "Contact details". Ballarat High School. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Compare VCE School Ranking | Trends - 2021".
  4. ^ a b Heritage Council Victoria Ballarat High School
  5. ^ "Ballarat High School's new ARCH centre is a bid to make year nine students more engaged with their education". The Courier. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Ballarat High honours war alumni with ceramic poppies project". The Courier. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Past Results". bas.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  8. ^ "London 2012 – Collis Birmingham Athlete Profile". Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  9. ^ W.G.Burchett Biography
  10. ^ "Kyra Cooney-Cross – Ballarat High School".
  11. ^ Hon. T. Evans Obituary in The Courier (Ballarat)
  12. ^ Whelan, Melanie (1 December 2011). "SEABL: Anthony Fisher rejects AIS scholarship to stay with Ballarat Miners". TheCourier.com.au. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  13. ^ W.C.Groves Biography
  14. ^ Venosta, Jeremy (8 December 2017). "Bridget Hustwaite, Triple J: Ballarat product takes evening slot". The Courier. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2021. The former Ballarat High School student, now 26, will take on the coveted Good Nights evening program on radio station Triple J.
  15. ^ L.Lockwood JMVH Biography
  16. ^ "Amy McDonald | AFL". geelongcats.com.au. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Home". hawthornfc.com.au.
  18. ^ "London 2012 – Jared Tallent Athlete Profile". Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  19. ^ W.Walters University of Ballarat Honour Roll

External links[edit]