Bialik College

Bialik College
Darcuna Oz (Step forth with courage)
Location
Hawthorn East, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates	37.8421°S 145.0435°E / -37.8421; 145.0435
Information
Type	Private School
Denomination	Jewish
Established	1942
Principal	Gary Velleman (Acting)
Grades	K-12
Enrolment	1,085
Colour(s)	Blue      Yellow
Website	www.bialik.vic.edu.au

Bialik College is a Jewish Independent school located in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn East. The school currently has a capacity to cater for over 1000 students from 3-year old Kindergarten to year 12.

Since being established in Carlton North in 1942, Bialik College offers the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Although Bialik College is considered a 'Jewish day school', from its beginning it was intended to be a Zionist school, with the establishment of the State of Israel central to its identity.

Shlichim

One of Bialik's many projects includes the Shlichim project, in which shlichim (representatives from Israel) are sent to Australia, and assist in the running of Informal Education at the College. The shlichim organise various fundraisers, activities, and camps to enrich the education of the students, and have fun.

Facilities

Since the late 1990s, it has built a building for its VCE department, an 'Early Learning Centre', the 'Besen Family Art & Technology Centre', and the 'Gringlas Sport Centre'. Additionally, the school has established the 'Rosenkranz Centre' aimed at providing "enrichment and extension programs for students". A new Drama Studio was opened in 2010. The new state-of-the-art library was opened in early 2011. A new Jewish life centre also opened in 2011. This room is part of a new Jewish life initiative in the school, with Dan Sztrajt overseeing it. The New Year 10 Hadracha program offers Year 10 students an opportunity to be madrichim (leaders) of the school, and to assist the running of the Jewish Life Centre.

Academics

Since 1990, Bialik College has offered the VCE. It has consistently performed well, and has been ranked amongst the highest achieving Victorian schools.^{[citation needed]} In 2008, Bialik College finished in the top ten of the state. Bialik College ranked 2nd in 2005, and 4th in 2009.

Performing Arts

Bialik College has a comprehensive performing arts program. All students are provided with an opportunity to learn a musical instrument, and participate in orchestras and ensembles. The drama program is an elective in Years 7-10, and many students choose to continue it for VCE. On alternative years the school presents a major musical, and produces a play. The most recent Bialik productions have been The Wizard Of Oz (2009 musical), Metamorphoses (2010 play), and the Theatre Studies production The Survivor. There is also a house performing arts competition every year, which is run bydrama students.

House System

The three houses, Weizmann (Green), Szold (Yellow), and Herzl (Red), are mainly used for interhouse sports and are named for famous Jews Chaim Weizmann, Henrietta Szold, and Theodore Herzl, who helped pioneer Zionism.

Notable alumni

• Ari Sharp, former journalist for The Age newspaper (2007-2011), blogger and, then 18, candidate for the Australian Democrats in the seat of Kooyong at the 2001 federal election..
• Joshua Frydenberg, Banker and Liberal member for Kooyong in the Australian House of Representatives since August 2010.
• Anthony Goldbloom, founder and CEO of Kaggle
• Joshua Sharma, currently a member of ROOTgaming for Starcraft 2

Notable staff

Paul Bartrop - world renowned genocide expert, and 'friend to the Armenian community'^{[citation needed]}

External links

• Bialik College Website