Parramatta High School
Parramatta High School | |
---|---|
The torch of the mind lights the path to glory | |
Location | |
Parramatta, New South Wales Australia | |
Coordinates | 33°49′03″S 150°59′51″E / 33.81750°S 150.99750°ECoordinates: 33°49′03″S 150°59′51″E / 33.81750°S 150.99750°E |
Information | |
Type | Public, Secondary, co-educational, day school |
Established | 1913 |
Principal | Domonique Splatt |
Enrolment | ~850 (7-12) |
Campus | Urban |
Colour(s) |
Royal & Navy Blue, White |
Website | Parramatta High School |
Parramatta High School (PHS) is a public, co-educational high school located in Parramatta, a western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Established in 1913, the school was the first co-educational school in the Sydney metropolitan area. and was previously a selective high school. Since 2010 it has been partially selective in the Parramatta region with a multicultural student base. The school offers a broad curriculum including elective subjects, Vocational Education, and TAFE options for the Higher School Certificate. The school is operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities and has approximately 850 students in Years 7 to 12.
Facilities
Technology
The study of Technology and Applied Science (TAS) courses, such as Food Technology, Textiles, Metalwork and Woodwork is mandatory for students in Years 7, 8 and 11, and optional for all other students. Parramatta High School offers the following facilities (that include a variety of tools essential for learning) available to students studying TAS courses:
- One woodwork room
- One metalwork room
- Two fully renovated kitchens plus a new food preparation room
- One textiles room
Computers
Parramatta High School has three fully operating computer laboratories that can be used by the students.
Sciences
There are 5 science laboratories at Parramatta High. Each laboratory includes 1-2 Whiteboards, A large Projector, 2-8 practical work-benches, 20-30 seats and a preparation room (shared between 2 laboratories, except for one-which is a computer laboratory and a scientific laboratory). These laboratories are vacant for students when necessary.
Overall Facilities
Overall, there are 29 classrooms (excluding the facilities listed above), 2 Music Rooms, One Sports-shed, One Spacious Library, 2 Large Indoor Seating Areas, 3 Very-Large Quads, Benches and seats around the school, One Senior Study Centre and a School Hall. These are all available for student use, when required and vacant. There are also 7 Staffrooms; CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts), TAS (Technical and Applied Studies/Computers), PDHPE, HSIE, Mathematics, Languages/English. Basketball Courts and an Oval are also available during Recess and Lunch (they are also used for Recreational Sport, Grade Sport and PE).
Departments
Parramatta High School is divided into ten departments - a diversity of related Board of Studies–endorsed subjects. The departments are:
- English (Subjects: English {7-10}, Standard English, English Advanced, English Ext 1, English Ext 2)
- Mathematics (Subjects: Mathematics {7-10}, General Mathematics, Mathematics Ext 1, Mathematics Ext 2)
- Science (Subjects: Science {7-10}, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science)
- Creative Arts (Subjects: Visual Arts {7-8,Elective:9-10}, Music {7-8,Elective:9-10,HSC}, Drama {Elective:9-10HSC}, Dance {Elective:9-10,HSC}, Film and Media Studies).
- HSIE (Subjects: Ancient History, Geography {7-10}, Commerce {9-10}, History {7-10}, Modern History, History Extension, Society and Culture, Business Studies, Legal Studies, Economics.)
- Language education (LOTE) (Subjects: French, Indonesian)
- Personal development, Health and Physical Education,
- Technological and Applied Studies (Subjects: Design & Technology {7-8,Elective:9-10,HSC}, Graphics Technology {Elective:9-10,HSC}, Engineering Studies, Information Processes and Technology, Software Design, Food Technology {Elective:9-10,HSC}, Textiles Technology {Elective:9-10,HSC}, Hospitality - VET, Community & Family Studies)
- Welfare
- Careers (Year 10)
House system
At the beginning of Year 7, all Parramatta High students are placed in one of the following four houses, usually on the basis of their last name:
House | Colour |
---|---|
Batman | |
Brisbane | |
Fitzroy | |
Marsden |
Every year three sporting carnivals {Athletics, Swimming and Cross-Country} (and two advanced carnivals; Zone and/or Regional) are held in which students compete to earn their house points. A winner of each carnival and of the overall house championship is announced each year.
Additionally, the houses are used to form the basis of roll call, which students attend every morning for 20 minutes. Each house consists of 7 roll calls, each with approximately 30 students.
Centenary
In 2013 Parramatta High School celebrated its centenary, marking 100 years since its establishment on 28 January 1913.
Notable alumni
- John Benaud, cricketer
- Richie Benaud, cricketer
- Harry Hopman, tennis player
- Chips Rafferty, actor
- W. E. H. Stanner, anthropologist
- Ted Noffs, theologian
- Rod Taylor, actor
- Philip K. Chapman, first Australian-born American Apollo astronaut
- Bede Morris, immunologist