Barrenjoey is a community comprehensive high school with an exceptional geographic position. As an integral part of a cosmopolitan, artistic and creative community, Barrenjoey has developed a unique blend of academic performance, artistic expression and social awareness.
Facilities: The school is well-resourced with a library, a hall/gymnasium with a large stage, music rooms, photographic darkroom, wood and metal technics rooms, kitchens and other specialist rooms. Barrenjoey provides a networked computer system for two computer rooms, the library, administrative areas and staff rooms, and has specialist computer pods in faculty areas for students such as Graphic Design in Visual Arts, Video Editing and production for English and Drama.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Food Technology, Commerce, Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Photography, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Information Software and Technology, Graphics Technology, Industrial Technology, Visual Design, Textiles Technology, Physical Activity and Sports Studies.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Drama, Dance, Engineering Studies, Economics, English (Advanced, Standard, Extension 1 and 2), Food Technology, French, Geography, German, History Extension 1 and 2, Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1 and 2, General Mathematics, Modern History, Music 1, PD/ Health/PE, Physics, Senior Science, Software Design and Development, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts. NSW Board-endorsed courses offered are Photography and Visual Design. VET courses offer students the opportunity to complete a nationally recognised entry-level training qualification while still at school and to also have the course included in their HSC program of study. Barrenjoey offers Hospitality Operations, Information Technology and Entertainment. Students may access other VET courses at neighbouring high schools and at local colleges of TAFE.
Sport: A wide range of sport is offered in both individual and team sports, recreational and competitive. Barrenjoey has been innovative in developing sports that use both its unique location and local facilities such as surfing and surf survival. Barrenjoey has its own surfboat. Barrenjoey is especially strong in rugby, boys’ basketball and girls’ volleyball.
Extracurricular activities: Barrenjoey is especially strong in Creative and Performing Arts. Dance, Drama and Music are offered within the curriculum and in extensive extracurricular programs. Photography, Visual Arts and Visual Design are very successful and popular. Barrenjoey has innovative extension and enrichment programs, bi-annual Rock Eisteddfod participation and a strong band program.
Welfare and personal development: Student welfare has a high priority and is strongly supported by a very experienced staff, including the school counsellor, a fulltime careers adviser, a learning support teacher and a youth support worker. Barrenjoey provides learning support for students of all abilities. School uniform is compulsory. Barrenjoey has a firm and fair welfare policy, which includes peer mediation, a blues merit system and a new student induction program. There is an innovative and very active student council.
Special features: Annual camps for Years 7, 9 and 11, work experience for Year 10. Gifted and talented students are catered for with a variety of innovative extension programs. There are regular exchange visits by students to and from other countries.
Enrolment: 760 students.
Principal: Mr Ian Bowsher.
Coonanga Road, Avalon 2107.
9918 8811, fax 9973 1682.
Email: barrenjoey-h.admin@det.nsw.edu.au