Set in extensive shady grounds, this co-educational high school was established in 1961 with the purpose of creating a positive and supporting learning environment within which students can realise their potential. Through the Priority Schools Program, the school is able to offer any curriculum subject where there is sufficient demand. About 80 per cent of the student population is from non-English-speaking backgrounds and the school incorporates their special needs into all its programs.
Facilities: The school has an assembly hall, a gymnasium, many sports fields, and basketball and netball courts, which are available for use by the general community. All play areas are spacious with sufficient sunsafe coverings.
All classrooms have been fully renovated including the air-conditioned library, which has two technology learning centres. The school has three well-equipped technology and applied studies units, six new science laboratories, three visual arts rooms, two new music rooms, a photography darkroom, four additional computer laboratories, a kiln for ceramics, a new full hospitality kitchen with bistro area, and a new commercial kitchen for the home economics courses.
Electives Years 9 and 10: Geography, History, Commerce, Information and Software Technology, Food Technology, Physical Activity and Sports Science, Music, Technical Drawing, Technics (Wood, Metal or Electronics), Textiles and Design, Vietnamese, Visual Arts.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Board-endorsed courses — Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Business Services (VET), Chemistry, Economics, Engineering Studies, English — Standard, English — Advanced, English as a Second Language, English Fundamentals (preliminary only), Food Technology, Geography, Hospitality Operations (VET), Industrial Technology, Information Processes and Technology, Software Design and Development, Information Technology (VET), Legal Studies, Mathematics — General, Mathematics (2-Unit), Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, Modern History, Music, PD/Health/PE, Physics, Retail (VET), Society and Culture, Vietnamese, Visual Arts, Community and Family Studies,Metals and Engineering (VET).
Sport: There is an integrated and grade sports program, including touch football, netball, soccer, cricket, European handball, table tennis, oztag, softball, basketball, volleyball, and hockey. All students compete in area gala days, aerobics, weight training, squash, tenpin bowling, golf. Other sports available include AFL, athletics, badminton, creative dance, gymnastics, rugby league and rugby union. There are school carnivals for swimming, cross-country and athletics with opportunity to compete at regional, state and national levels.
Extracurricular activities: SRC, debating, dance and musical productions, art exhibition, Carnivale (a bi-annual multi-cultural day), sporting teams in all major sports at both school and representative level, leadership camps, work experience program, Australia-wide mathematics, science, geography, economics and other academic competitions, choir and musical groups, book club, support for charities, public-speaking competitions, dual-accredited vocational education courses, peer support, combined high schools knock-out sports. School based St John Ambulance Cadet Division (only one in Australia) is also offered at the school.
Welfare and personal development: Bonnyrigg High School has an effective student welfare policy with students being supported by both peer support and student leadership programs. The school has a parent and community co-ordinator available to assist parents and carers in understanding their child’s learning process. The school has strong literacy and numeracy programs and offers special programs for the gifted and talented, students from non-English-speaking backgrounds and students with learning difficulties. The school strongly encourages uniform and has full community support.
Famous ex-students: Bob O’Reilly (footballer), Pamela French (choreographer).