Smith's Hill High School
| Smith's Hill High School | |
| Smith's Hill High School Emblem | |
| Motto | Truth. Honour. Service. |
| Established | 1916 |
| School type | Selective High School |
| Principal | Rae Mitchell |
| Location | Wollongong, NSW, Australia |
| Colours | White and navy blue |
| Homepage | www.smithshill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au |
Smith's Hill High School is the only selective school in Wollongong, Australia. It is located in the heart of Wollongong city. Established in 1916 under the name Wollongong High School, it offered the only senior education in the district. In 1958 Wollongong High School relocated. The existing school became Smith's Hill Girls High School, and the boys of the area attended Keira High School. In the 1970's Smith's Hill started to become co-educational. After a decline in student numbers, the Department of Education chose to set aside places to be filled through exam selections. Now, all students at the school are required to sit entrance exams.
Currently there are approximately 720 students in the school. 120 of the students who perform well in the selective schools examination are accepted every year, and if students drop out or change schools then students high on the original reserve list are offered places. Since a small number of students do not go on to complete years 11 and 12, these students' places are taken by new students so the number of students at the school is constant.
Although Smith's Hill is primarily a school acclaimed for academic achievement, students also excel in activities like sports and drama, and have built quite a reputation for their efforts in extracurricular activities (see below).
This has been the leading high school in the Wollongong district for several years according to Board of Studies figures.
Administration
- Principal: Mrs. Rae Mitchell
- Deputy Principal: Mr. Rodney Zabell
- Deputy Principal: Ms. S. Mearing & Ms. P. McInerney (relieving)
CAME SECOND IN ROCCA 2007!!
For a full list of staff visit:
Smith's Hill High School Staff List
Year 7-10
Throughout years 7 - 10 students are allowed to elect non-mandatory subjects that suite their interests. It is required that all students complete English 1-6, Maths 1-8, Science 1-6, Geography 1-4, History 1-4, DT 1-3, IT 1-2, Music 1-2, Art 1-2, PE 1-4 (as well as one PE elective), Intro to languages and chosen language 1-2.
Year 7-10 courses offered E = Elective, M = Mandatory. Students can refer to their curriculum books for more information. These courses include:
* English
o English 1 (M)
o English 2 (M)
o English 3 (M)
o English 4 (M)
o English 5 (M)
o English 6 (M)
o English 7 (M)
o Creative writing 1 (E)
o Creative writing 2 (E)
o Film & TV studies (E)
o Journalism (E)
* Mathematics
o Maths 1 (half course, M)
o Maths 2 (half course, M)
o Maths 3 (M)
o Maths 4 (M)
o Maths 5 (M)
o Maths 6 (M)
o Maths 7 (M)
o Maths 8 (M)
o Maths extension year 7 (E)
o Problem solving 1 (E)
o Problem solving 2 (E)
o Graphical calculators (E)
o Simple Machines and Maths (E)
* Science
o Science 1 (M)
o Science 2 (M)
o Science 4 (M)
o Science 5 (M)
o Science 6 (M)
o Science 7 (M)
o Science 8 (M)
o Science 3 (acceleration)
o Science 6,7,8 (acceleration)
o Environmental science (E)
o Lifestyle science (E)
o Marine science (E)
* History
o Introduction to history (M)
o History 2 (M)
o History 3 (M)
o History 4 (M, half course)
o Aboriginal studies (E)
o Ancient and modern worlds (E)
o Archaeology (E)
o Civil war to civil rights (E)
o Conflict and terrorism (E)
o Fact or fiction (E)
o Knights and castles (E)
o Mysteries and mummies (E)
o Philosophy for thinkers (E)
o Philosophy 2 (E)
o Revolutions and dictators (E)
o Vikings and other conquerors (E)
o World War II (E)
* Geography
o Geography 1 (M)
o Geography 2 (M)
o Geography 3 (M)
o Geography 4 (M, half course)
o Global conflict (E)
o In the ghetto (E)
o Natural disasters (E)
o Oceanography (E)
* Commerce
o Commerce 1, consumer choice (E)
o Commerce 2, law and society (E)
o Commerce 3, running a business (E)
o Commerce 4, investment (E)
* Drama
o Intro to drama (E)
o Text to performance (E)
o Theatre styles (E)
o Youth theatre (E)
* Information technology, all electives (IT)
o Animation
o Artificial intelligence, Simulation & modelling
o Authoring & Multimedia
o Database design
o Digital media
o Internet & web development
o Software development & programming 1
o Software development & programming 2
* Languages (it is only compulsory to take 1 language)
o Intro to languages (M, half course)
o French 1 (M, half course)
o German 1 (M, half course)
o Japanese 1 (M, half course)
o French 2 (M)
o German 2 (M)
o Japanese 2 (M)
o French 3 (E)
o German 3 (E)
o Japanese 3 (E)
o French 4 (E)
o German 4 (E)
o Japanese 4 (E)
o French 5 (E)
o German 5 (E)
o Japanese 5 (E)
* Music
o Music 1 (M, half course)
o Music 2 (M)
o Composition techniques (E)
o Musical 1 (E)
o Musical 2 (E)
o Performance skills (E)
o Music and technology (E)
o You're the voice (E)
o Ensemble skills (E)
* PE
o PDHPE 1 (M)
o PDHPE 2 (M, half course)
o PDHPE 3 (M)
o PDHPE 4 (M)
o Fitness and training methods (E)
o Sportsmen (E)
o Sportswomen (E)
* Design and technology
o DT 1 (M, half course)
o DT 2 (M)
o DT 3 (M)
o IT 1 (M, half course)
o IT 2 (M, half course)
o Wearable art (E)
o Creative clothing design (E)
o Costume design (E)
o Electronics intro (E)
o Electronics major projects (E)
o Metal intro (E)
o Metal machining (E)
o Metalwork project (E)
o Silversmith intro (E)
o Silversmith design projects (E)
o Silversmith major project A (E)
o Silversmith Major project B (E)
o Intro cabinet work (E)
o Design wood projects (E)
o Cabinet major project A (E)
o Cabinet major project B (E)
o Food technology
o Eating in the new millenium, food for life (E)
o Food for celebration (E)
o Food service & catering (E)
o International cuisine (E)
o Let's cook (E)
* Graphics technology
o Intro to graphics technology (E)
o Architectural drawing (E)
o Engineering drawing (E)
o Graphics technology modules (E)
* Visual arts
o Intro art workshop (M, half course)
o Art workshop 2 (M)
o Ceramics (E)
o Drawing (E)
o Fabric art (E)
o Painting (E)
o Printing (E)
o Sculpture (E)
o Theatre art (E)
o Photo art (E)
o Digital imaging & animation (E)
Higher School Certificate
Students of Smith's Hill High School have consistently performed well in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations, with a majority of students each year registering high (above 90) University Admissions Indices. As a result of strong HSC performances, a high percentage of students from Smith's Hill High gain University entrance each year. This tradition of success has been in the school for many years.
In terms of HSC subjects offered for senior students, a range of subjects are offered over all key learning areas. For those subjects which are unable to be offered (for example, an extension course which only one or two students wish to study), students are assisted to complete these subjects through distance education, in association with an appropriate distance education school. HSC Courses Offered
* Mathematics
o Mathematics
o General Mathematics
o Extension 1 Mathematics
o Extension 2 Mathematics
* English/History (Standard English is discouraged)
o Advanced English
o Extension 1 English
o Extension 2 English
o Modern History
o Ancient History
o Extension History
* Science
o Chemistry
o Biology
o Physics
o Earth & Environmental Sciences
o Marine Science
* Social Science
o Economics
o Business Studies
o Geography
o Society & Culture
o Physical Education, Health and Personal Development (PE)
* Computers
o Information Processes & Technology
o Software Design & Development
* Design & Technology
o Engineering Studies (offered according to demand)
o Design & Technology
o Textiles
o Hospitality
o (Food Technology available through correspondence and canteen)
* Creative Arts
o Drama
o Music 1 & 2
o Music Extension
o Visual Arts
* LOTE
o German Continuers
o Japanese Continuers
o Japanese Extension
o French Continuers
o Other languages and extension courses available through Open High School
Extracurricular Activities
Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
Each year, Smith's Hill High School participates in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge. Thanks in no small part to the dedication of staff (none more so than Mr Greg Carlon) and the hard work of the students, Smith's Hill has gained a reputation as an excellent participant in this competition. The school has been in the Grand Final every year since 2004, and was a regular Grand Final contender in years previous. Due to the preparation time required, and the high level of physical activity involved (for dancers and stage-hands alike), the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge item is worked on while students not involved participate in weekly sport activities.
Tournament of Minds
Smith's Hill regularly submits a team to participate in the Tournament of Minds competition. The 1998 team were state finalists, before the 2002 and 2003 teams were successful in getting to the National Finals, and the 2005 team won at the national level.
School Production
In 2001, Smith's Hill High School produced its first Musical Theatre production in several years: Little Shop of Horrors. Since then, school productions have been staged each year, with the students continuing to be the driving force behind the shows.
Other
* Extracurricular groups
o Dance Festival
o Debating
o Duke of Edinburgh Awards
o Young Achievement Australia
o String Ensemble
o Jazz Ensemble
o Vocal Ensemble
o Chess Tournaments
o SET (School environment team)
* Sports
o Australian Football
o Beach games
o Beach Tennis
o Beach Walking
o Circus
o Cricket
o Fishing
o Golf
o Gymnastics
o Kick Boxing
o Lawn Bowls
o Rock Climbing
o Rugby League
o Rugby Union
o Self Defense
o Soccer
o Surfing
o Pines learn to surf
o Table Tennis
o Ten Pin Bowling
o Tennis
o Volleyball
o Weight training
o SET
See also
External links
| Fully selective high schools | |
|---|---|
| Partially selective high schools | |
| Selective agricultural high schools | |
| Selective creative and performing arts primary[note a] and high schools |
|
| Specialist sports high schools | |
