Bendigo Senior Secondary College facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Official logo
Location
Bendigo , Victoria Australia
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Information
Former name	Bendigo Continuation School (1907–1912) Bendigo High School (1912–1984) Bendigo Senior High School (1984–1989)
Type	Government-funded secondary
Motto	Latin: Qui Patitur Vincit (Translation: "Who perseveres conquers")
Established	1907
Principal	Kylie Hand
Teaching staff	144
Years	11–12
Number of students	1756 (as of 2019)
Campuses	2

Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) is a government-funded high school in Bendigo, Victoria. It is for students in Year 11 and Year 12. BSSC is the biggest school in Victoria for the VCE and other training programs.

Bendigo has four other government high schools for Years 7 to 10. These are Eaglehawk Secondary College, Bendigo South East College, Crusoe College, and Weeroona College Bendigo. Students from these schools usually move to BSSC for their last two years of high school.

History of Bendigo Senior Secondary College

The main administration building at Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

The school first opened on April 27, 1907. It was called the Bendigo Continuation School. Its goal was to help students get ready for jobs in public service, teaching, or university. In 1912, its name changed to Bendigo High School.

Over the years, the school grew. It added buildings like the James King Hall and an administration block in 1930. In 1959, the old Bendigo Supreme Court building became the school's music rooms. More buildings, like the Alexander Wing and the Commonwealth Library, were added later.

In 1976, Bendigo High School became Victoria's first senior high school. This meant it only taught students in Year 11 and Year 12. The younger years were gradually removed, and this change was finished by 1979. The school's name changed again in 1984 to Bendigo Senior High School. Then, in 1990, it became Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

Since 1991, the school has built new facilities and upgraded its campus. The school's site is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register because of its important history. In 2025, Kylie Hand became the first female principal of the college. She took over from Dale Pearce, who was principal for a long time since 2006.

Achievements and Special Programs

International Recognition

In 2001, Bendigo Senior Secondary College was the first government school in the world to be approved by the Council of International Schools. This means the school meets high international standards. They were reviewed again in 2011 to make sure they still met these standards.

NETschool Program

NETschool is a special program run by BSSC. It helps students aged 15-18 who have not been in regular school. It offers the VCE and other training courses. This program helps students get back into learning.

Online Learning Program

BSSC also has an online learning program. This program helps students in other schools across Victoria. It allows them to take college courses from home. The school plans to make this online program even bigger in the future.

Famous Former Students

Many people who went to Bendigo Senior Secondary College have become well-known.

Arts and Entertainment

• Nick Bland (born 1973), a famous cartoonist and writer. His books, like The Very Cranky Bear, have won many awards.
• Yergurl (born 2000), a singer-songwriter and producer. She was a finalist in the Triple J Unearthed High competition in 2018.

Business Leaders

• Frank Milne (born 1946), an expert in economics and finance.

Political Figures

• Nicola Rosenblum, who was Australia's High Commissioner to Brunei from 2016 to 2020. She was the youngest person to lead a diplomatic mission for Australia.
• Jim Short (born 1936), a former Federal Liberal Member of Parliament. He was an Assistant Treasurer in the Howard government.
• Mary Doyle (born 1970), a Federal Labor Member of Parliament for the Division of Aston.

Sports Stars

• Mark Alvey (born 1980), a former AFL player for the Western Bulldogs and Essendon.
• Jack Ginnivan (born 2002), an AFL player for Hawthorn. He used to play for Collingwood.
• Ben McGlynn (born 1985), a former AFL player for Hawthorn and Sydney. He is now an assistant coach for St Kilda.
• Kobe Mutch (born 1998), a former AFL player for Essendon.
• Scott Selwood (born 1990), a former AFL player for Geelong and West Coast.
• Dean Solomon (born 1980), a former AFL player for Essendon and Fremantle.
• Chris Tarrant (born 1980), a former AFL player for Collingwood and Fremantle.
• Jeff Tho (born 1988), an Australian representative in badminton at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games.
• Glenn Warfe (born 1984), an Australian representative in badminton at the 2012 Olympic Games.
• Nick Dal Santo (born 1984), a former AFL player for St Kilda and North Melbourne. He is now a senior coach for St Kilda's AFL Women's team.

Important Buildings at BSSC

James King Hall

This building was finished in 1930. It is named after James King, who was the school's headmaster from 1907 to 1923.

Ron Lake Building

Opened in 1994, this building stands where the school caretaker's house used to be. That area also had a tennis court.

Supreme Court Building

Built in 1858, this building was first used as a Supreme Court until 1896. It became part of the school in 1959 and is still used by Bendigo Senior Secondary College today.

The Police Barracks

Completed in 1860, this building was used by the police until 1920. From 1941 to 1967, it was the Art Room for Bendigo High School. It was updated in 1999 and is now used by the college.

Old Gold Quadrangle

The original school building was finished in 1870, with additions in 1914. The Quadrangle area was used for school assemblies for many years.

Alexander Wing

This wing opened in 1967 to celebrate the school's 60th anniversary. It is named after Charles Alexander, a former student and principal. It was updated in 2017 to include new classrooms, a library, and study areas.

The Commonwealth Science Building

Opened in 1977 with a science grant. It first had two science rooms on the ground floor. In 1996, it was expanded to hold the library. The first floor became a multimedia center. In 2018, the ground floor was renovated into four new classrooms and a study area, and it was renamed the Business Center.

Important Landmarks at BSSC

King Memorial Gates

These gates were put up in 1933. They remember James King, a former headmaster. The gates have a Latin saying, Non Omnis Moriar, which means "I Shall Not Wholly Die". These gates were the school's main entrance until 1957.

Memorial Gates and Memorial Steps

These were built between 1956 and 1957. They serve as a war memorial. They honor the school members who served in wars to protect our way of life.

Awards and Nominations

Australian Training Awards

School Pathways to VET Awards

VET in Schools Excellence Awards

See also

• Bendigo South East College
• Crusoe College
• Weeroona College Bendigo
• List of schools in Victoria