BelmontHigh School is a comprehensive school with a strong academic tradition, outstanding programs in student wellbeing, a special education unit and extensive VET programs. It is a centre of excellence for performing arts. The school’s focus is on opportunity, participation and personal best.
Facilities: Large sporting grounds, modern gymnasium, hall, technology centre and keyboard labs, six computer rooms, two darkrooms, applied learning centre, theatre and an IT-rich library.
Curriculum Years 7 and 8: As well as the core programs, the school offers electives in the Performing Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Drama and Dance) and Applied Studies, a school-based course to develop ICT and learning skills.
Electives Years 9 and 10: Japanese, Graphic Design, Textiles and Design, Computing Studies, Commerce, Drama, Electronics, Robotics, Visual Arts, Hospitality, Human Movement, Drama, Dance, Food Technology, Media Studies, Tech Drawing, Technics (Metal and Wood) and Music. In addition to these the school also offers 20 school-based semester electives.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Design and Technology, Drama, Economics, Business Studies, all Sciences, Computing Studies, Legal Studies, Society and Culture, Food Technology, Music, Japanese, French, Photography, Visual Arts, Work Studies and Engineering Science are offered together with the more traditional subjects. The school offers a range of VET programs (Hospitality, Business Services, Retail and Construction) and operates a flexible timetable to allow students in Years 11 and 12 to be involved in work placement as part of their VET-HSC study and to attend TAFE.
Sport: Belmont is a centre for excellence in trampolining and diving — winning many state and national titles over the past decade. There are 24 development squads for team sports. The physical education program includes fitness testing, gymnastics, trampoline, dance, and aerobics. The large number of leisure sports includes cycling, bushwalking, surfing and weight training.
Extracurricular activities: The school is a centre of excellence for performing arts and has mounted large-scale productions since 1990 as well as a performing arts tour of the USA. Students compete in the annual Hunter region and state dance festivals and the school takes part in the Star Struck Regional Spectacular. Vocal ensembles feature regionally and at state level, small instrumental groups and a school band program are well established. Drama and debating are also available.
Welfare and personal development: There is an active student council and a strict uniform policy. With a head teacher of welfare there are large-scale welfare programs involving each year group. The school has received national recognition for its welfare and anti-harassment programs.
Special features: Belmont High has been selected in the Australian Best Schools Project and has a sister school in Japan. Its Aboriginal education programs were highlighted by an exhibition of more than 30 student art works at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Strengths Conference in 2009.
Famous ex-students: Kristin Radford, Margaret Hamilton, Craig Dalton (medical research and public health) Geoff McCloy (construction), Lynn Bell (hockey Olympian), Alan Thompson, Paul Harrigan, Brett and Craig Kimmorley (rugby league).