This high school encourages and develops the academic, personal, social and vocational skills of all students. The vision statement is “Leading students to be confident and effective lifelong learners” and the motto is “Achieving Excellence”. The ethos is one of respect for education, people, the environment and Australian society. Uniform is compulsory.
Facilities: Within a rustic setting, the school is bounded by public open spaces and Australian native courtyards. The well-maintained buildings include a range of specialist rooms.
Curriculum: Years 7 to 8 complete a course where nearly all subjects are core, including Japanese. Instrumental Music and German Immersion are optional extras. Approximately 30 per cent of students are accelerated to complete Years 7 to 10 in three years and go on to complete a three-year VCE. In addition, Fairhills provides a Selected Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program for high-achieving students from the outer eastern suburbs. At Years 9 and 10, an extensive semester-based elective system operates with units of study including English, Mathematics, Science, Commerce, Physical Education/Sport, Drama, Literature, Horticultural Science, Materials Technology, Systems Technology, Information Technology, Japanese, German, Health, Art, Ceramics, Textiles, Photography, Graphic Communication, History and Geography. The VCE and VCAL programs have extensive offerings in all learning areas with many VET options including structured workplace learning.
Extra-curricular activities: A range of extra-curricular activities is provided both within and outside the timetable and includes chess club, debating, Rock Eisteddfod (first place in 2005), school magazine, art show, annual school musical, an extensive outdoor education program (including ski camp, bike tour and caving), an annual trip to Japan and a Year 12 study camp. The school achieves outstanding results in a wide range of sports.
Student welfare programs: The school has a highly developed pastoral care program, careers guidance and an orientation camp for Year 7 students. The school’s discipline policy, “Behaviour for Learning”, emphasises the development of self-esteem and self-discipline, principles of fairness and honesty, respect for the rights of others and sound emotional and social development as its goals. A time-out process is used to effectively manage any disruptive behaviour in the classroom.