Heathcote High School

Heathcote High School
Persevere and Conquer
Location
Heathcote, New South Wales Australia
Information
School type	Public, Comprehensive, Coeducational, Secondary School
Established	1960
Principal	Mark Noonan
Teaching staff	64
Grades	7-12
Enrolment	813 (2012)
Campus type	Suburban
Colour(s)	Red & Green
Website	www.heathcote-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Established in 1960, Heathcote High School is set in spacious grounds near the Royal National Park on the southern side of Sydney, Australia. It is a comprehensive co-educational school that educates around 1000 students in years 7-12 and has around 80 staff. Heathcote High prioritises student welfare and a close relationship between the school and the surrounding community.

Use by residents

Heathcote High is used not only by Heathcote residents, but also residents of:

• Engadine
• Helensburgh
• Waterfall
• Woronora Heights
• Stanwell Park

Bullying

Due to the school's before-mentioned focus on Student Welfare the school focuses heavily on preventing bullying among students. Lectures and anti-bullying programs occur frequently and each month teachers focus on certain types of bullying, such as exclusion.

Academics

The school has a long tradition of academic, sporting and performing arts achievements, and prides itself on its broad curriculum, including innovations in vocational educational. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular programs, such as outdoor education, student leadership training and gifted and talented education.

In 2004, student Lisa Campbell was awarded the 'Minister’s Award For Excellence In Student Achievement'.

Parliamentary mentions

Geoff Dodds

In a debate in the Parliament of Australia, on 9 October 2006, Danna Vale MP praised several high school principals including Geoff Dodds of Heathcote High saying "I was privileged to be invited to a year 12 graduation assembly and, once again, was stirred by the thoughtful words of the principal’s Geoff Dodds final address to the students."

Bravery award

A certificate of commendation for bravery was awarded by the New South Wales Parliament to teacher Greg Moon, with the commendation stating as follows:

"Mr Moon was leading an expedition of 10 students along the Dufars river when assistant instructor Gemima Robey slipped and fell into the water at a dangerous bend. With no thought for his own safety, Mr Moon rescued Ms Robey from the river and immediately attempted to resuscitate her. Throughout this, Greg continued to manage the students who were under his care and becoming increasingly distressed."

Sporting Success

In 2007, Year 12 Student Jacob Tito won the prestigious Pierre De Coubertin Award in recognition for his bravery in the sporting department. He was a contributor to sports such as swimming, athletics, touch football, Aussie Rules and more importantly Cross-Country Running (in which he was school champion, in age group, from 2005 to 2007- Yr. 10 to Yr.12. The Pierre de Coubertin Award is nominated to those high school students across Australia, via the Australian Olympic Committee.

Notable alumni

• Marcela Bilek, 'Physical Scientist of the Year' 2002 and Professor of Applied Physics, University of Sydney
• Peter Hadfield, 9 times Australian champion in athletics, represented Australia at two Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games and won Silver in 1978 Commonwealth Games Decathlon, then became an athletics commentator for ABC Radio
• Isobel Redmond, Leader of Opposition (Liberal Party), South Australian Parliament
• Hayley Morgan, internationally recognised fashion/art writer and editor, stylist, and curator. Contributing to publications such as Vice, i-D, Oyster, YEN, frankie press, GEO, among others; and working closely with the MCA and the Biennale of Sydney.

See also

List of Government schools in New South Wales

External links

• Official site