Balwyn High School

Balwyn High School is a state-run high school (grades 7-12) in the suburb of Balwyn North, in Melbourne, Victoria , Australia, It was established in 1954. As of 2005 it has some 1,880 students and over 160 staff.

The reputation of the school grew markedly in the 1960s with the expanding postwar student population under the able direction of Headmaster H.M. Rogers, for whom the school assembly hall built with assistance from parents, was named. Managing the large class (education) 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. Its diverse student base, crossing several religions and catering for children of wealthy and of working-class parents contributed to the motivation of its students. Ever since, the school has performed alongside Melbourne's elite private schools in terms of status, university entrance levels and graduate performance.

The school song, reorchestrated around 1965 by music teacher Ms. Bickhart, is based on the school's motto 'constanter ac fideliter', 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. It enjoys a sound reputation as it attracts and produces some of the highest achieving students in the state. Its performance can in part be attributed to the demography of its region, which no longer attracts working class families. In fact, some professional and mercantile families move to live within the school zone so that their children might have be eligible for entry to the school.

Today Balwyn High School has advanced IT facilities and strong co-curricular programs (including music, sport, debating and community programs amongst others). 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.

The current principal is Mr Bruce Armstrong, and under his leadership the school is continuing to replace and refurbish its buildings in order to cope with its high popularity and population, a project that has been underway for many years.

External links

• Balwyn High School website
• 1995 news release