Department of Education - Victoria

Geelong High School is a positive and creative learning community that embraces its history and prepares students for life.  We are committed to:

• Developing caring and respectful relationships;
• Empowering people to realise their potential through effort, responsibility and teamwork;
• Building healthy, resilient and productive global citizens

Our values are: 

• R.E.S.P.E.C.T:
  • Responsibility 
  • Effort 
  • Service 
  • Positivity 
  • Excellence 
  • Creativity 
  • Teamwork

 

Geelong High School is a Year 7 - 12 co-educational school located near the centre of Geelong "The City by the Bay", and adjacent to a significant parkland area.  Established in 1910, Geelong High School is one of the oldest secondary schools in the region.  It has a proud history, celebrating its centenary in 2010, and is held in high regard by the Geelong community. 

Current enrolment is approximately 970 students (maximum 975), drawn mainly from the nearby areas of East and South Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and across Geelong. 

The Leadership Team comprises a Principal, three Assistant Principals, the Business Manager, IT Manager and eleven Leading Teachers and Learning Specialists. There are approximately 120 staff, of whom 80 are teaching staff. 

The school motto, VITAE NOS PARAT, which means 'It' (the school) Prepares Us For Life, provides a basis for the total school curriculum, and there is a strong recognition within the school, that the various elements of the school community work in partnership to achieve optimum outcomes for all our students.  Students are supported and encouraged to reach their full academic and personal potential, through innovative and engaging teaching programs such as the Geelong Positive Engagement Program (GPEP), Respectful Relationships and the Accelerated Learning Program.  In 2013 Geelong High School introduced Positive Education, based on the elements of positive psychology, to build a strong culture of optimism and growth mindset across the school.  

The Geelong High School curriculum comprises a core year 7 and 8 program (including positive education), a core and elective program across years 9 and 10, and the later years program where students may study a combination of VCE, VET and VM. 

The school has in recent years been granted $20.5 million for a major redevelopment of the entire campus which commenced during 2017.  Stage one, comprising a new year 7 facility, music and dance rooms and a refurbished hall was completed in 2018.  Stage 2, comprising a new library, canteen, IT rooms, classrooms and administration, was completed in mid-2019.  A third and final stage has seen a new arts facility and classrooms in the Vague and Winstanley wings completed in 2020.

The use of learning technologies in the classroom is a priority at Geelong High School with appropriate professional development being offered to staff. The school has an extensive computer network that is continually evolving. The school is fully 1:1 with BYOD for years 7-12. 

Central to the structure and operation of the school is the house system. All students are actively involved in the house system and the student management and welfare of students is centred around this structure.  Student leadership is an integral part of the school culture. Leadership amongst students is actively encouraged and celebrated at all levels with students being given the opportunity to be involved in the decision making processes of the school. Leadership opportunities come from a broad range of activities such as the School Captains, SRC, House and Home Group Captaincy, Performing Arts Captains and the `Be Bold Be Heard' Girls Forum. Geelong High School aims to build on strong community links and to be supportive of all members of its community.  

 

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the capacity to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated capacity to respond to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to implement high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. 

SC3    Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning. Demonstrated capacity to use data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, wellbeing and engagement.    

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated capacity to reflect upon practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.