Facilities: The school has just completed a $9m upgrade program to complement its other facilities. The new buildings include a large performance centre, dance and drama room, commercial kitchen suitable for VET hospitality courses, new classrooms, canteen and range of student services including a Year 12 study centre. The library and adjoining classrooms were also recently upgraded to provide new flexible learning spaces. The school also has a range of other excellent facilities; an arts and technology precinct to cater for a wide variety of courses, a music/band room and practice areas, science laboratories, sports stadium with three basketball courts and five mod grass tennis courts. Eltham High also has a comprehensive eLearning environment which fully supports the student notebook program. The outside environment is pleasant with indigenous plantings which provide shelter and soften the landscape.
Curriculum: Students are offered a wide range of subjects in all years, with an extensive Core and Elective program in the Middle School and a wide range of VCE units. Mathematics, Science (including Psychology), English Literature, Outdoor Education, Physical Education, LOTE French and Indonesian, History and Philosophy are complemented by studies in Music, Dance, Drama, Graphics, Media and Studio Arts VCAL and a range of VET subjects. All students have the opportunity to participate in work education over two years, a variety of competitions and global-learning projects. The school has a world-recognised instrumental music program with more than 300 students involved in a variety of bands and ensembles. The Visual Arts program has received recognition for students in a range of competitions. There is a Drama and Dance program with companies that perform interstate. VCE results are consistently excellent in all areas.
Sport: All Junior students participate in a sports program with access to a wide variety of sports and competitions. A specialist volleyball program operates with graduates playing at national and international level. Special attention is given to recreational activities and encouraging girls in sport as part of the school sport program.
Extra-curricular activities: Inter-school debating, after-school music, drama and dance, improvisation and school plays provide opportunities for students to perform. There is also an arts festival and participation in the Nillumbik Festival. The annual student writing anthology, edited by students, has been a national award winner. Camps and tours are diverse and reflect different aspects of the curriculum, from music to LOTE and outdoor education. Students visit New Caledonia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Central Australia and Queensland regularly. Other tours have been arranged to New Zealand, USA, Vietnam, China and India.
Student services: A well-resourced and trained team of assistant principals, sub-school heads, level co-ordinators, student welfare co-ordinator, careers co-ordinator and first-aid attendant supports the school’s range of student welfare programs. The school emphasises student self-discipline through clear guidelines and a supportive environment. A peer mentoring program operates for Year 7 students. A prospectus and sub-school handbooks are available on request or you can visit the website.