Blackwood High School

Blackwood High School
Blackwood High School
Location
	Eden Hills, South Australia; Australia
Coordinates	35°01′33″S138°36′23″E/ 35.0259°S 138.6063°E
Information
Type	Secondary school
Motto	Inspiring Achievement and Respect
Established	1961
School board	Blackwood High School Governing Council
Principal	Chris Brandwood
Years offered	7–12
Enrolment	1200
Classrooms	75
Houses	Ashby, Madigan, Mills, Russell
Colour(s)	Green, white and red;
Website	www.bhs.sa.edu.au

Blackwood High Schoolis aco-educational secondary schoollocated inEden Hills,a south-eastern suburb ofAdelaide,South Australia,teaching to theAustralian Curriculumand theSouth Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).It is also aspecial-interest high schoolthat specialises innetballandAustralian rules Football.^[1]

The school developed a resource withSturt Policeon "Teenage Parties" that has been adapted by Victorian private schoolsScotch College^[2]andToorak College.^[3]The school also has a canteen (which services other local schools) and is the site of the Blackwood Community Recreation Centre.

In 2022, the school has adopted a rule which bans students from using their mobile phone during school hours. This has been met with criticism from both students and parents, claiming that the move makes it much more difficult for students to communicate with their parents. From July 2023, theDepartment for Educationintroduced a state-wide ban on mobile phones during school hours in all government secondary schools.

Curriculum and learning

Blackwood High School previously offered the IBMiddle Years Programmeat Year 8–10 (until 2021). Following the introduction of Year 7 to High School in South Australia, the school's Governing Council voted to discontinue the IB program. From 2022, only theAustralian Curriculumat Year 7–10, with theSouth Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)are offered at Year 11–12.

Facilities

Performing Arts Centre (PAC)

The Performing Arts Centre (PAC), the Auditorium, or the Blackwood Community Recreation Centre, was constructed in 2001 with funds raised in several schools and community-based fund-raisers.^[4]It features several sound-proofed rooms, computing equipment, musical instruments, and a large theatre and stage, with a booth for controlling the lighting and sound effects. The PAC is also used by the community as a church on Sunday mornings.

The main auditorium seats about 350, with the capability to have an extended stage because of retractable seating. In addition to the main performing areas, the PAC boasts a recording studio, four practise rooms, three classrooms, an office, and a storeroom.

Recreation centre and gym

Constructed in 2004, the Blackwood Recreation Centre is co-located on the Blackwood High site, with facilities shared between the school and Community Recreation Centre. The school has a permanent arrangement to operate one of the two courts, and half of the changing/bathroom facilities. Additionally, the school also operates a staff office in the space. The facility is also used to host whole-school assemblies and events.

Canteen

In 2020/2021, the canteen and conference were demolished, replaced by new facilities. Students are able to walk into the canteen, select items, and pay upon exiting. The canteen also services other local schools.

Student opportunities

Students have the opportunity to take part in several leadership opportunities, including:

Prefects
Middle School Leadership
Peer Support
Learning Cultures
Student Wellbeing
House Captains

Notable alumni

David James Campbell,writer and film director
Chloë Fox,South AustraliaMPin theSouth Australian House of Assembly
Rebecca Morse,newsreader for Channel 10, South Australia
Peter Rathjen,medical researcher andRhodes scholar
Terence Tao,mathematician and 2006 recipient of the Fields Medal
Musicians
- Julian Cochran,composer
- Beccy Cole,musician
- Val Kilmer,actor
- Matt Lambert (Suffa)andDan Smith (Pressure)of the Hilltop Hoods
- Allday,rapper^[5]
- Nathan Leigh Jones,musician
Sports people:
- Adam Cooney,2008 Brownlow Medal winner, AFL, Western Bulldogs and Essendon^[6]
- Peter Motley,Australian rules footballer –Sturt Football Club1982–1985 andCarlton Football Club1986–87
- Matthew Nicks,Australian rules footballer –West AdelaideandSydney Swans1996–2005
- Kerri Pottharst,Australian professionalbeach volleyballplayer andOlympicgold medalist
- Bianca Reddy,netballer for theAdelaide Thunderbirds
- Liam Reddy,soccer player in theNational Soccer League(Parramatta Power,Sydney United), theA-League(Newcastle Jets,Brisbane Roar,Wellington Phoenix,Sydney,Central Coast Mariners,Western Sydney Wanderers,Perth Glory), andPersian Gulf Pro League(Esteghlal)
- Joel Reddy,National Rugby Leagueplayer –South Sydney Rabbitohs,Wests,andParramatta
- Ben Rutten,former Australian Rules footballer –Adelaide Football Club2003–2014All-Australianselection in 2005
- Matthew Powell,former Australian Rules footballer – Adelaide Football Club 1993–1995

School publications

Each year, the school's year 11 students compile ayearbook,which has, since its beginnings, been entitledCambium.Students contribute articles, photographs, artworks, and written works, which give a snapshot of the school year.

References

^"Specialist Interest Programs | Blackwood High School".Retrieved26 July2023.
^"Successful Teenage Gatherings" prepared by the Scotch Family Association with illustrations by Julian Collins. Adapted from "Teenage Parties" by Blackwood High School, SA and Sturt Police, SA
^"Special Events and Notices".Archived fromthe originalon 20 October 2006.Retrieved9 February2007.
^"City of Mitcham, Media ReleaseBlackwood Community Recreation Centre is Open for Business: Official Opening 13 February 2004".Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2007.Retrieved9 February2007.
^Ewen, Tia (27 January 2023)."Something in the water: Allday, Hilltop Hoods, Beccy Cole – Why our Hills produce so many superstars".Retrieved7 October2023.
^Whiting, Jessica (30 September 2008)."PHOTO GALLERY: Cooney - a long way from Flagstaff Hill".Hills and Valley Messenger.Retrieved11 November2008.

External links

[1] "Specialist Interest Programs | Blackwood High School".Retrieved26 July2023.

[2] "Successful Teenage Gatherings" prepared by the Scotch Family Association with illustrations by Julian Collins. Adapted from "Teenage Parties" by Blackwood High School, SA and Sturt Police, SA

[3] "Special Events and Notices".Archived fromthe originalon 20 October 2006.Retrieved9 February2007.

[4] "City of Mitcham, Media ReleaseBlackwood Community Recreation Centre is Open for Business: Official Opening 13 February 2004".Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2007.Retrieved9 February2007.

[:22-5] Ewen, Tia (27 January 2023)."Something in the water: Allday, Hilltop Hoods, Beccy Cole – Why our Hills produce so many superstars".Retrieved7 October2023.

[6] Whiting, Jessica (30 September 2008)."PHOTO GALLERY: Cooney - a long way from Flagstaff Hill".Hills and Valley Messenger.Retrieved11 November2008.

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