Baulkham Hills High School
| Baulkham Hills High School | |
|---|---|
 |
|
|
Persevere
|
|
| Location | |
| Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Coordinates | 33°45′5″S 150°59′26″E / 33.75139°S 150.99056°ECoordinates: 33°45′5″S 150°59′26″E / 33.75139°S 150.99056°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Selective, public, Co-educational, Day school |
| Established | 1971 |
| Principal | Dr. Jeanne Bathgate |
| Grades | 7 - 12 |
| Enrolment | ~1200[1] (2010) |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colour(s) | Green & Gold |
| Website | baulkhamhillshighschool.com.au |
Baulkham Hills High School (colloquially known as "Baulko") is an academically selective high school located in Baulkham Hills. The school was established in 1971 by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, and currently caters for approximately 1200 students from Years 7 to 12.[1][2][3]
The school is noted for its regularly outstanding academic results. In 2010, Baulkham Hills High School was ranked the most popular school in NSW for high school applications.[4]
Contents |
History
Baulkham Hills High School was established in 1971 as a non-selective public school. For the first few years the students were accompanied by students from Model Farms High School as their school was still being built, despite Baulkham Hills High being incomplete at the time. The school's first selective cohort was in 1990, with all grades being selective by 1995. Over time, the school's academic ranking has improved and in 2009 was ranked 2nd by the Sydney Morning Herald for total number of Distinguished Achievers (DA) for examinations resulting in over 90%.
The school was built on the site of a former orange orchard, with the region having once been a major orange producing area of Sydney. This history is acknowledged by the use of an orange on the school logo. The use of the word 'Persevere' as the school motto encourages students to persevere in all their studies. Acknowledgement of the agricultural history of the area is also reflected in the naming of the four intramural sports houses of the school, which are named after four prominent early European settlers in the area: MacDougall (red), Suttor (blue), Meehan (yellow) and Hughes (green).
Admissions and enrolment
Total enrolment in junior years (7-10) is approximately 180 students, and around 200 in senior years (11-12). Total number of enrolments is 1130 students.
As a selective school, entry into the school in Year 7 is based upon results in a State-wide examination known as the Selective High Schools Test.
Entry into vacant places in later stages is based on a reserve list and other criteria, mainly reports from previous years. The school also has a Support Unit through which students with intellectual disabilities receive extra support and lessons designed to equip them for active participation in the wider community upon graduation. These students are also encouraged to take part in all aspects of school life and are an integral part of the school community.
Academic results
Baulkham Hills High School is well known for its outstanding academic results. They are noted as being one of the top 10 government high schools in New South Wales in this aspect.
Sport
The school is also noted for being good at sport. The school holds annual sports carnivals for swimming, cross country and athletics. Selected students compete in wider regional competitions, from Zone and Area to the CHS (Combined High Schools). The school has a good record in these carnivals.
Extracurricular activities
A range of sporting and other extracurricular activities occur at the school, including:
- Army Cadets (Baulkham Hills High School Cadet Unit)
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
- Chess Club
- Volleyball teams
- Philosophy Club
- Creative Arts Festival
- Drama Club
- Future Problem Solving
- Tournament of Minds
- Run Fit
- Orchestra
- School Bands (Beginner, Junior, Senior, Concert, Stage)
- Soul Purpose (Christian group)
- Variety Night
- Music Nights
- Shakespeare Festival
- Mock Trial
- Debating (English, History)
- Mahjong Club
- School Choir
- Baulko Green Group ("keeping it green in D16")
- Baulko Bulletin (student magazine)
- Theatre Sports Group
- Baulko Outreach (student-community/charity outreach program)
- A Capella Group
- Industrial Chemistry (IC) Group
- Science Olympiad Team
- Photography Club
There are also committees formed to make suggestions as to the running of the school, such as the Uniform Committee and school formal committees for years 10 through to 12.[citation needed]
See also
- List of Government schools in New South Wales
- List of selective high schools in New South Wales
- List of Army Cadet Units across Australia
References
- ^ a b "Baulkham Hills High School". School Locator. NSW Public Schools. http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoolfind/locator/?section=showRecord&code=8464. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
- ^ Gerard Noonan (2002-11-19). "More than maths adds up to success". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/18/1037599365667.html. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- ^ "Lure of opportunity makes it worth going the distance". Sydney Morning Herald. 2005-11-28. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/lure-of-opportunity-makes-it-worth-going-the-distance/2005/11/27/1133026350287.html. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- ^ {{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/revealed-the-list-of-sydney-schools-that-top-the-popularity-contest-20100816-126zj.html
External links
- Baulkham Hills High School website
- BHHS Army Cadet Unit website
- NSW Department of Education and Training: Baulkham Hills High School
