Merewether High School

Merewether High School (abbreviated as MHS) is a government-funded co-educational academically selective secondary day school, located in the suburb of Broadmeadow in the city of Newcastle, in the Lower Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It was established in 1977 following the merger of Newcastle Technical High School and Cooks Hill Girls High School. The school is named in honour of Edward Christopher Merewether, a prominent businessman and civil servant in the Colony of New South Wales who later became the Superintendent of the Australian Agricultural Company in Newcastle.

Merewether High School
Location
130 Chatham Street, Broadmeadow, Hunter region, New South Wales

Australia
Coordinates32°55′47″S 151°44′7″E
Information
TypeGovernment-funded co-educational academically selective secondary day school
MottoLatin: Scientia ac Labore
Established1977 (1977)[1]
Educational authorityNew South Wales Department of Education
PrincipalRochelle Dooley[2]
Teaching staff70 FTE (2020)[3]
GradesYear 7–12
Enrolment1,071[3] (2020)
CampusUrban
Houses
  •   Baartz
  •   Jensen
  •   Norris
  •   Richards
Colour(s)Navy blue and sky blue   
Websitemerewether-h.schools.nsw.gov.au
[4]

The school enrolled approximately 1,070 students in 2020, from Year 7 to Year 12, of whom two percent identified as Indigenous Australians and 25 percent were from a language background other than English.[3] The school caters for students from a wide area within the Greater Hunter Region.[5] The school is operated by the NSW Department of Education; the principal is Rochelle Dooley.[6][7]

Merewether High students have consistently achieved some of the highest results in the Higher School Certificate, outperforming other schools in the Greater Hunter Region, with many students achieving state rankings in select courses.

History

The suburb of Merewether is named after Edward Christopher Merewether, who began his working life in Australia as aide-de-camp to three Governors of New South Wales between 1842 and 1861. He was appointed Superintendent of the AACo in Newcastle in 1861 and became a significant landowner and local benefactor. The school's E.C. Merewether Award for Creative Endeavour and the shield, which adorns the school's front foyer, were inaugurated in honour of Merewether.

From 1952 until 1976, the site, enclosed by School Street, Awaba Street, Chatham Street, Pokolbin Street and Melville Road, was occupied by Newcastle Technical High School. The school included an industrial arts block (now the covered outdoor learning area (COLA)), K Block (the library), two bike sheds (since removed) and a canteen (since pulled down and a new canteen built in its place). L Block was added in the 1960s.

The school merged with Cooks Hill Girls High School in 1976 to form a comprehensive co-educational high school, which drew students from the suburbs of Carrington, Wickham, Hamilton and Merewether. A building programme commenced just before the merger, with new blocks (A–D) being constructed, and blocks F–G being added later. The final principals of both schools are memorialised in the naming of the Bensley Hall and the Foley Library on the present campus.

Since 1989 enrolment is determined by an academic selection process. The school has a planned capacity of 1,080 students (180 from each year from 7–12). It first reached its enrolment capacity across all years in 2005.

Many buildings sustained severe damage in the 1989 earthquake, but were repaired thereafter. Another more recent event that affected the school was the floods of June 2007, which toppled trees and required the replacement of carpets in some blocks' lower floors, including K Block and the Foley Library.

In 2020, asbestos was found in the roof cavity of K Block, necessitating air monitoring and ceiling encapsulation works. The inspection of the building found that the asbestos levels were below detectability, allowing classrooms to remain in use.[8]

Curriculum

The college follows the mandated statewide curriculum developed by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority. Students in stage 4 (Years 7 to 8) undertake studies in Mathematics, English, Science, History, Geography, Music, Visual Arts, Technological & Applied Studies (including Robotics, Woodwork and Home Economics), Languages (which as of 2021, is limited to Japanese),[9] and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.

In stage 5 (Years 9 to 10), students continue mandated studies in Mathematics, English, Science, History, Geography and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, as well as undertaking two elective courses from a range of disciplines. In addition, Year 9 students study Inquiry Based Learning, whilst Year 10 students begin working towards their Higher School Certificate by undertaking an accelerated HSC subject.

Stage 6 (Years 11 to 12) students work towards the Higher School Certificate, in which they achieve some of the best results in the region.[6] The New South Wales Education Standards Authority requires stage 6 students to study a minimum of 12 units in the Preliminary Year and 10 units in their HSC Year (most subjects being worth 2 units). HSC English is compulsory; All students at Merewether High are required to study English Advanced in Year 11, with the option to switch to English Standard in their HSC Year. English Extension 1 and 2 are also offered. Students may then choose from all levels of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Modern History, Ancient History, History Extension, Society and Culture, Studies of Religion (Course 1 or 2), Business Studies, Economics, Geography, Legal Studies, Japanese (Beginners or Continuers), Design and Technology, Engineering Studies, Software Design and Development, Textiles and Design, Food Technology, Hospitality, Community and Family Studies, Visual Arts, Music (Course 1 and 2), Drama and PDHPE. Students may opt for units developed by the Open High School as correspondence courses.

Selective high school

As an academically selective high school, Merewether High School takes enrolments through a statewide process. In the final year of primary school, students are assessed and enrolled by the school on the basis of their achievement across the curriculum and on the Selective Schools Placement Test.[10] Only 180 places are offered for Year 7 students, with the minimum score required for admission in 2015 being 180.[11] After the beginning of Year 7, students are placed into the selective classes by the college on a student-by-student basis.[12]

Extra-curricular activities

Merewether High School offers many extracurricular clubs and activities to its students, many of them musical ensembles, including: string ensemble, percussion ensemble, orchestra, jazz band, concert band, saxophone quartet, flute quartet, clarinet quartet, vocal ensemble and guitar ensemble,[13][14] formerly facilitated by the honourable Brian Saxby BMus. Other activities and clubs at the school include a chess club, art club, and robotics club.

Merewether High School has participated in Odyssey of the Mind since at least 1992 and have had many successes in this pursuit, including a team of Year 9 students winning the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award in 2008.[15]

The school has many various sporting teams including: cricket, association football, basketball (The Weathers), rugby union (Merewether Moos), rugby league, Australian rules football, hockey, netball, volleyball, rowing, aerobics team, water polo, tennis, table tennis softball and baseball.[16]

Merewether High School regularly participates in the World's Greatest Shave, with several staff and students shaving their hair to raise money for leukaemia research. In 2021, the school raised over $78,000.[17] In 2022, the school was able to raise over $100,000, the most of any school in Australia.[18]

Merewether High School was one of the schools that competed on the Network 10 programme Shaun Micallef's Brain Eisteddfod.[19]

Elected student representatives

The school SRC (Student Representative Council) consists of six students from each year, elected by their peers. In Year 7 one student from each class is elected; in the remaining grades, six students from each year are elected, regardless of class. The SRC nomination process begins in term 2, so members terms are across two years.

The Prefect Body is composed of twenty Year 12 students elected by the students to become the student leaders of the school, of which four are chosen to be the captains and vice-captains of the school.

Notable alumni

See also

References
  1. Barcan, Alan (2007). "Comprehensive Secondary Schools in Australia: a View trom Newcastle, New South Wales" (PDF). Education Research and Perspectives, Vol. 34, No.1, 2007. p. 157. Retrieved 7 November 2014. Newcastle Girls' High and Hunter Girls' High merged in January 1976 as Newcastle High School. A year later Newcastle Boys' High merged with Wickham Girls' High to become Waratah High, while Newcastle Technical High merged with Cooks Hill Girls' High to become Merewether High School.
  2. "Key Staff Roles - Merewether High School". merewether-h.schools.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  3. "Merewether High School, Broadmeadow, NSW: School profile". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  4. "Merewether High School". School Locator. NSW Public Schools. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  5. "Our School". Merewether High School. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  6. Branley, Alison (14 March 2009). "Entry easier at Merewether selective school". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  7. "Key Staff Roles – Merewether High School". merewether-h.schools.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  8. Kelly, Matthew (10 September 2020). "Friable asbestos found in Merewether High School roof cavity". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  9. "Languages". Merewether High School. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  10. "Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes - Some Facts" (PDF). Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  11. Gregory, Helen (27 May 2015). "High school's high bar: Merewether entry score exclusive". Newcastle Herald. No. 16. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  12. "Selective High Schools Years 8-12 Placement". Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  13. MHS - The Annual Record: Vision 2019. Newcastle: Merewether High School. 2019. pp. 62–63.
  14. "Merewether High School - Creative Arts". Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  15. "Odyssey Of the mind". Archives of the NSW Legislative Council. 6 May 1992. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  16. MHS - The Annual Record: Vision 2019. Newcastle: Merewether High School. 2019. pp. 72–83.
  17. "Merewether High School 2021". Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  18. Hamilton, Ethan. "Merewether High students have raised over $100,000 for the World's Greatest Shave". The Singleton Argus. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  19. "Students play for laughs and learning on new TV show". State of New South Wales (Department of Education). Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  20. Dillon, Robert (22 June 2007). "Warne helps Ambrose to fulfil dream". Newcastle Herald. Australian Community Media. p. 66. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  21. Proudman, Dan (20 September 2015). "Newcastle-raised actor, Manu Bennett charged in Texas with assault". Newcastle Herald. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  22. Lazarevic, Jade (10 July 2010). "Pet Propelled". Newcastle Herald. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  23. ""Personal Development, Health and Physical Education"". Merewether High School. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  24. "Merewether High School - Creative Arts". Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  25. MHS - The Annual Record: Vision 2000. Newcastle: Merewether High School. 2000. p. 62.
  26. ""Personal Development, Health and Physical Education"". Merewether High School. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  27. "Merewether High School - Creative Arts". Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  28. MHS - The Annual Record: Vision 2000. Newcastle: Merewether High School. 2000. p. 65.


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