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Melbourne High School

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Melbourne High School
Melbourne High School logo
Melbourne High School logo
Name

Melbourne High School

Address

Forrest Hill

Suburb

South Yarra, Victoria 3141

Established

1905

Community

Mixed: Urban & Rural

Type

State (Selective Entry)

Religion

Secular

Students

Approx. 1,400

Years

9 to 12

Principal

Jeremy Ludowyke

Nickname

Melbourne Boys, Melbourne High, MHS

Mascot

Unicorn

Colours

Maroon, Green and Black

Motto

Honour the Work

Publications

Ours (Weekly Newsletter)

Yearbook

Unicorn

Website

www.mhs.vic.edu.au

Melbourne High School is the only selective single-sex State School for boys in years 9 to 12 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The equivalent for girls is the Mac.Robertson Girls' High School.

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 and successful placements at tertiary institutions at a rate well above the state average. Many students and parents prize the school as an "opportunity to experience excellence and an Education that Inspires".

The median ENTER score for Melbourne High School in 2005 was 94.7. That is, over half of the graduating students of 2005 had been placed in the top 5.3% of all students in Victoria. It achieved its highest median ENTER score of 95.0 in 2001.

History

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 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, as 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-curricular life was built with the strong academic curriculum, sports, music, cadets, drill, excursions, sporting exchanges with Adelaide High School (from 1910) and North Sydney Boys' High School, 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 1920s, 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 (then renamed 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 The Mac.Robertson 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 meant the school building was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy, and the School was forced to be relocated 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, Maj-Gen (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 1950s under Principal Brigadier George Langley was a time of renewal, as the Tecoma camp was re-established and plans for a pool and new PE Centre developed. The 1960s saw the first physical expansion of the School's facilities since 1927 with a new PE Centre and Pool opened in 1960; a new Library in 1965, the first of many portables in the late 1960s, and work was begun on the Junior Science Block (finished in 1970).

By the 1980s 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 classrooms.

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-curricular 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.

School awards, badges and rank

Like many private schools in Australia (despite the fact that MHS is a public school) there is a system of recognition and rank in Melbourne High School. Students who join the Air Force or the Army Cadets are assigned ranks, according to their experience and skill. A cadet's rank is displayed on his military uniform.

The Army Cadet ranks are:

  • Cadet (No insignia)
  • Lance Corporal (One chevron)
  • Corporal (Two chevrons)
  • Sergeant (Three chevrons)
  • Staff Sergeant (Three chevrons + crown)
  • Warrant Officer Class Two (Crown)
  • Warrant Officer Class One (Australian coat-of-arms)
  • Cadet Under Officer or CUO (Diamond of chevrons)

The Air Force Cadet ranks are:

  • Cadet (No insignia)
  • Leading Cadet (One chevron)
  • Cadet Corporal (Two chevrons)
  • Cadet Sergeant (Three chevrons)
  • Cadet Flight Sergeant (Three chevrons + crown)
  • Cadet Warrant Officer (Australian coat-of-arms)
  • Cadet Under Officer or CUO (One stripe)

It is also possible to attain military rank by joining the Tattam (Ceremonial) Band. In addition to the Army Cadet ranks, there is the Quartermaster position, which is given the rank of Staff Sergeant; and the Drum Major position, which is given the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two.

There are also School Colours for both Service and Sport. Both are in the form of ties, with a design consisting of the standard MHS tie's stripes and a unicorn at the bottom for Half Colours; and the tie stripe alternating with unicorns for Full Colours. The Unicorns on Sport Colours ties are coloured gold; the ones on Service Colours are silver. In addition to the tie, Full Colours recipients as well as holders of some leadership positions can have their blazer emblazoned with their award or position. Position titles are emblazoned above the school emblem on the blazer pocket whilst award titles are emblazoned below.

A system of badges is also employed at Melbourne High School.

  • SRC Executive: Gold Unicorn in red circle
  • House Captains: Gold Unicorn in black circle
  • Year 12 Form Captains: Gold Unicorn in green circle
  • Year 9, 10 & 11 Form Captains: Silver Unicorn in green circle
  • Academic Achievement: Gold Unicorn in maroon/green oval
  • Year 12 SRC Representatives: Gold Unicorn in yellow circle
  • Year 9, 10 & 11 SRC Representatives: Silver Unicorn in yellow circle
  • Cadet Under Officers: Gold Unicorn in gold circle
  • Year 12: Gold Unicorn
  • Year 11: Silver Unicorn

Houses

Interhouse competitions remain an integral part of the school's ethos.

The four Houses with their associated colours are:

  • Como (Yellow)
  • Forrest (Blue)
  • Waterloo (Green)
  • Yarra (Red)

The names for the houses were derived from the local history of the area. The hill upon which the school is situated was first settled by captain John Forrest, who built his house, Waterloo cottage, in Como estate, alongside the river Yarra.

The houses compete in 4 Major Competitions:

They also compete in Minor Competitions:

The house with the best overall performance for the year is awarded the status of Cock House; the naming of this competition is a source of some amusement to many of the younger students. The winner of the Cock House is decided based on a points system.

The current house leaders for 2006 are as follows:

  • Como – Nish Vivekananthan (captain), Julian Stow (vice-captain)
  • Forrest – Alex Zachary (captain), Siddharth Padmanaban (vice-captain)
  • Yarra – Lachlan Bromley (captain), David Mitchell (vice-captain)
  • Waterloo – Christopher Krause (captain), Cameron Woodard (vice-captain)

In recent times the House Competition has been dominated by Yarra, who have won 7 times in the last 10 years. In the history of the competition (1928 - 2005), Yarra has won 27 Cock House Cups, followed by Como and Forrest (both on 20) and Waterloo (11). Since 1980, Chorals and Instrumentals have been dominated by Yarra and Forrest. In 2006, Forrest won the Instrumentals Competition while Yarra won the Chorals. The 2005 House Cup was won by Waterloo.

School Motto

"Honour the Work"

The School motto was derived spontaneously from an eloquent address given to the assembled school by the late Mr Frank Tate ISO, MA, a former Director of Education. In the course of his speech, he quoted the words of Edward Thring: "Honour the work and the work will honour you", and it is recorded that these inspiring words were at once recognised as the most appropriate for the School motto.

School Song

Honour The Work

First Verse

Blithesome our hearts are and free is our fancy,
Swift fly the hours in work and in play,
Fain would we linger, but youth turns to manhood,
School days are passing, and we must away.

Chorus:

Honour the work, let our motto remind us,
When courage weakens and stern grows the fight,
Strong, like its pillars, the school stands behind us,
Standing for duty, and standing for right.

Second Verse

Lo! Steering westward through life's stormy surges,
Those who once laboured and played here are gone;
Before them a vision, a lamp lit by learning,
A shrine to be guarded and fame to be won.

Chorus

Third Verse

Nothing we care for the small time remaining,
Shallow the stream our life flows along,
Slow though we progress with old muscles straining,
We shall prevail, for our spirit is strong.

Chorus

Fourth Verse

Red blood of youth calls from far-distant Flanders,
Call o'er the sea from Gallipoli shore;
Loud Rings the voice of the deathless departed:
"Honour the work that we honoured of yore."

Chorus

Note: The third and fourth verses are sung only on commemorative occasions.

Words by: A.G. Daws
Music by: Charles Breen

Mission Statement

As a selective entry statewide provider of broad, stimulating, and challenging education of the highest quality, Melbourne High School is in a unique position to enhance the vast and varied talents of its diverse body of students, preparing them for academic, civic and vocational leadership, whilst encouraging individual happiness and satisfaction.

School Philosophy

Melbourne High School is an academic secondary college aiming to provide an environment conducive to learning and the pursuit of excellence, and in which students develop self-discipline and learn to take responsibility for their own actions. It recognises that, in the pursuit of excellence, all students are individuals, entitled to equal opportunity, a positive learning environment and on-going support to enable them to realise their fullest potential — intellectual, personal, physical, creative, social and vocational. Such an environment can be developed when based on the values of mutual respect, shared responsibility and co-operation between staff, students and parents.

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.

Recent 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 (2008)
    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.
  • Rowing Shed (Future)
    A state of the art rowing complex, to be situated across Alexandra Avenue from the school. Intended to have premuim frontage to the Yarra River, whilst housing an upgraded fleet of boats.

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

Melbourne High continues to maintain close ties with their old counterpart, The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School. Each year both schools engage in combined winter concerts, musical and drama productions. The schools recently celebrated their centenary together in a combined Centenary Concert, held in 2005.

Melbourne High maintains a relationship with North Sydney Boys' High School and Adelaide High School. Each year, Melbourne High competes against North Sydney for the Crawford Shield, and against Adelaide High for the Prefect's Cup. Melbourne High also has an exchange with Sydney Boys High School for rowing and junior cricket, where each year the boys from either school are billeted to the hosting families from Sydney or Melbourne.

Sister school relationships also exist internationally with high schools in Japan (Kasukabe High School), Germany (Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium Gundelfingen), Indonesia and France (Lycée Edouard Branly, Amiens). Annual exchanges occur with each of the sister schools, giving students the opportunity to experience both the culture and education systems of another country. Each year Melbourne High either sends a group of students overseas to these schools, or hosts students from these schools. There are also opportunities for individual students to go on a longer term exchange overseas.

Principals of Melbourne High

Distinguished Old Boys

Trivia

  • Lindsay Fox was expelled from Melbourne High School due to bad behaviour, although he had a part in the decision, believing it best he left. Some say he was expelled because of poor academic performance. Despite this Lindsay Fox has maintained a good relationship with the school and has given it many large donations, and part of this deal is to land his helicopter on the school football oval whenever required.
  • There is speculation of a tunnel leading from the Principals Office to the Yarra River, which wasbuilt during World War 2, when the school was used as an Army barracks, and the students were sent off to Camberwell High School

See also

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