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| Balwyn High School | Balwyn High School logo |
| Name |
Balwyn High School |
| Address |
Buchanan Ave |
| Established | |
| Type | |
| Students |
Approx. 2000, Coeducation |
| Years |
7 to 12 |
| Principal |
Bruce Armstrong |
| Nicknames |
BHS, Balwyn High,Balwyn, East Kew High |
| Mascot |
Lion |
| Colours | |
| Motto |
Constanter ac Fideliter |
| Publications |
The Lion (Weekly Newsletter) |
| Yearbook |
The Buchanan |
| Website | |
Balwyn High School is a state-run high school (years 7-12) in the suburb of Balwyn North, in Melbourne, Victoria , Australia, It was established in 1954. As of 2006 it has some 1,880 students and over 160 staff.
The reputation of the school grew markedly in the 1960s, along with the expanding postwar student population, under the direction of Headmaster H.M. Rogers. The school assembly hall, named for Mr Rogers, was built with assistance from parents. Managing the large class sizes of the era, the school developed a strong science education at senior levels that saw many of its graduates pass into senior academic, government and private sector positions.
The school song, re-orchestrated around 1965 by music teacher Ms Bickhart, is based on the school's motto "constanter ac fideliter" (constantly faithful), which urges every member of the school community to work with a firm purpose and a faith that that they shall achieve their aim.
The school buildings were redeveloped in 1994 after a merger with Greythorn High School. Since 1996 the school has operated an International Students Program which is intended to select quality students from East and Southeast Asian countries.
Over the years, Balwyn High School has continued to grow, and in the 2000s is one of the largest schools in the inner-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Its performance is such that anecdotal evidence suggests that professional and mercantile families move to live within the school zone so that their children might be eligible for entry to the school; local real estate in the school district is freqently advertised as being "in Balwyn High School zone", and hence sells for a premium over houses outside the zone.
Balwyn has a variety of co-curricular programs, including music, sport, debating, and community programs. It is renowned in particular for its music program, which comprises many string orchestras, concert bands, choirs, stage bands, a full symphony orchestra and many other smaller groups. These ensembles are consistently ranked amongst the best in the state in dozens of annual competitions.
Balwyn High School also has an extensive sport faculty, with many interschool sport teams representing the school in numerous sports at elite levels. The school is renowned for its specialty in badminton, and have fielded numerous teams which have become state champions.
For several years, the school has been undergoing an expansion/refurbishment project to cope with its high popularity and population.
In recent times Balwyn High School has become the focus of several bully-related incidents. One case in March 2005, involving a student who was bashed to the point where he was incapacitated, was publicised in the Herald Sun[1].