University High School, Melbourne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The University High School
the North Building of The University High School
Location
77 Story Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
Coordinates	37°47′50″S 144°57′19″E / 37.79722°S 144.95528°E / -37.79722; 144.95528
Information
Type	Government-funded co-educational secondary day school
Motto	Latin: Strenue Ac Fideliter (With Zeal and Loyalty)
Established	1910; 115 years ago (1910)
Principal	Ciar Foster
Years	7–12
Enrolment	1,708 (2022)
Houses	Coleman      Gulam      Johnston      Triggs
Colour(s)	Green, white and tan

The University High School (often called UHS or Uni High) is a public high school in Melbourne, Australia. It is for both boys and girls. The school is located in the suburb of Parkville, Victoria. In 2022, about 1,708 students attended the school.

In 2023, Uni High was ranked among the top public schools in Victoria. This ranking was based on how well students did in their VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) exams.

The History of University High School

When Did Uni High Start?

The school first opened in 1910. It was called the "University Practising School" back then. It was located in Carlton, a different part of Melbourne.

In 1913, its name changed to "The University High School." This happened after another private school closed down. Since 1930, the school has been in its current spot in Story Street, Parkville. This location is close to big hospitals and the University of Melbourne. It is also near the city centre.

Uni High During World War II

During World War II, the school's sports oval was used by the United States Army. Also, 240 extra students from another school, MacRobertson Girls High School, came to Uni High. Their own school buildings were being used by the military.

Helping Gifted Students Shine

The University High School has been a leader in helping gifted and talented students. Since 1981, it has run a special program for these students. This program helps them learn at a faster pace. It is the longest-running program of its kind in Australia.

Modernizing the School Buildings

In 1997, the school got a big upgrade. About A$8 million was spent to improve the buildings. This gave the school modern facilities and special rooms for different subjects.

Fires and Repairs at Uni High

The school has faced some challenges, including fires. In 2020 and 2021, an electrical fire damaged a large part of the South Building. This fire affected several floors, including the library and VCE Centre. Another fire happened in the Elizabeth Blackburn Science School building in 2022.

Many areas, like the VCE Centre and library, reopened with new designs. The second floor of the South Building also reopened by the end of 2023.

What Students Learn at Uni High

VCE Subjects Offered

The school offers many subjects for the VCE. These include:

• Accounting
• Biology
• Business Management
• Chemistry
• Economics
• English
• French
• German
• History
• Legal Studies
• Literature
• Mathematics (different types)
• Media
• Music Performance
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Psychology
• Studio Arts
• And many more!

How Well Do Students Perform?

The University High School is known for its strong academic results. In 2009, it was ranked among the top 200 public high schools in Australia. In 2014, many students achieved very high scores in their VCE exams. In 2021, the school was ranked number 70 among all state secondary schools in Victoria based on VCE results.

Uni High's House System

The school has four different houses, also called sub-schools. Each house has its own color and is named after a famous former student.

•      Coleman (green) – named after the Australian football legend John Coleman.
•      Gulam (red) – named after academic Hyder Gulam.
•      Johnston (blue) – named after Emma Johnston, a science leader.
•      Triggs (yellow) – named after Gillian Triggs, a human rights expert.

Exploring the School Campus

The University High School campus has eleven main areas. These include the West, North, South, Art/Tech, Music, Hall, Canteen/Gymnasium, EBS, GTAC buildings, and portable classrooms.

The North Building

The North Building was built in 1930. It has three levels and contains many classrooms. The main entrance is here, along with offices for staff. You can see photos of former students who served in World War I. There are also banners showing sports achievements.

The first floor has food technology classrooms and student services. The second floor has junior science labs and well-being rooms. The third floor holds maths, languages, and computer classrooms.

West Wing and Music Wing

The West Wing is smaller but connects to the Music Wing. It has lockers for younger students and English classrooms. The Music Wing was built with help from former students and teachers. It has music classrooms, practice rooms, and the Music Office. In 2011, the West Wing was completely rebuilt inside to create more classroom space.

Sharman Hall and Gymnasium

The Sharman Hall is where school assemblies and performances happen. It is connected to the Canteen/Gymnasium building. The canteen area has indoor seating and lockers. Above the canteen is the school gymnasium, which also has the Sports Office.

The South Building

The South Building is another large building. It has the school library and the VCE Centre. This building has four levels. The first floor holds the library. The second floor has humanities classrooms. The third floor contains senior science labs.

A bridge connects the North and South Buildings. A fourth level was added to the South Building in 2007. This area, called the VCE Centre, is specifically for VCE students. It has classrooms and offices just for them. Some parts of the South Building were closed due to fire damage but have since reopened.

Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC)

The Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) opened in 2004. It allows students from all over Victoria to learn about genetics. The GTAC building has science and research labs. It also has the school's Fitness Center on the first floor.

Art and Technology Building

The Art/Tech Building is used for art and technology subjects. It has three levels. The first floor has visual arts and woodwork classrooms. The second and third floors have more woodwork and sewing rooms. There are also lockers here. A special art classroom for VCE students was also built.

Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences (EBS)

In partnership with the University of Melbourne, a new science program was created. It is for Year 11 and 12 students who are very interested in science. This program is called Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences (EBS). It is named after Elizabeth Blackburn, a famous former student of Uni High who won a Nobel Prize.

The EBS building has lecture rooms, science labs, and outdoor spaces. Students who want to join EBS must take an entrance exam.

Portable Classrooms

In 2021, portable classrooms were added to the school. This was done to help with the growing number of students. It also helped while parts of the South Building were being repaired.

Who Has Led University High School?

The school has had many principals since it started. Here is a list of some of them:

Famous People Who Went to Uni High

Many successful people have studied at The University High School. In 2001, the school was ranked among the top ten schools in Australia for educating girls. This was based on how many female former students were listed in Who's Who in Australia.

Here are some notable former students:

Academics and Scientists

• Elizabeth Blackburn: Won a Nobel Prize for her work in science.
• Suzanne Cory: Known for her work in medical biology.
• Emma Johnston: A marine ecology expert.
• Terry Speed: A famous statistician.

Business and Government Leaders

• Richard Pratt: A well-known businessman and giver to charity.
• John So: A former Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

Media, Entertainment, and Arts

• Matt Day: An actor and filmmaker.
• Dame Olivia Newton-John: A very famous actor and singer.
• Ruby Rose: A TV presenter and model.
• Noah Taylor: An actor.
• David Williamson: A well-known playwright.

Politics and Law

• Neil Brown: A former federal minister.
• Joan Kirner: The first female Premier of Victoria.
• Gillian Triggs: A former president of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Sports Stars

• Allen Aylett: A legend in Australian Rules Football.
• John Coleman: Another AFL legend.
• Owen Davidson: A famous tennis player.
• Pam Kilborn: An Olympic medallist in athletics.
• Michael Klim: An Olympic medallist in swimming.
• Georgia Nanscawen: An Australian hockey player.
• Jasper Pittard: An AFL footballer.

See also

• List of high schools in Victoria

Images for kids

• 

  University High School students in a history class, 1930s

• 

  Portraits of students who served in WWI and banners of the former school houses on display