We are a comprehensive secondary school, located in the Dandenong Ranges, 40 kilometres east of Melbourne. The school is in a magnificent mountain setting amongst the slopes and mountain ash on the edge of the Sherbrooke Forest. There are beautiful views of the surrounding Dandenongs and the site integrates well with the adjoining Upwey-Tecoma Recreational Reserve and facilities. Established in 19
37, our school has a strong sense of local community and a history in the provision of education in the Dandenong Ranges. We are a school where successive generations of families have been educated and a school to which they proudly return. In all classrooms our goal is to deliver personalised learning through the use of differentiated strategies. Upwey High School provides educational pathways for students in VCE, VET and VCE Vocational Major programs. Vision Statement and Values:
Our Vision Statement: 'We aim to develop students who will be resilient and responsible, highly motivated, lifelong learners. Through the establishment of positive relationships and high expectations, students will be encouraged to reach their full potential', is underpinned by our core school values of Aspiration, Respect and Kindness. Student Wellbeing:
Upwey High School has a strong focus on the development of the whole person. We are committed to the personal development and wellbeing of students, as well as to their academic development.
• The approach that we use is based on Restorative Practices; it is our belief that positive, strong and healthy relationships are vital in underpinning learning and personal development.
• Routines and rigours are well defined, and enforced throughout the school. We all need to have a clear understanding of expectations; students are expected to be ready for learning.
• We are a Tribes school. All staff are Tribes trained in order to actively develop a productive learning environment.
• Students and staff are supported by a Wellbeing Coordinator, a Mental Health Practitioner and Student Support Services Staff such as Educational Psychologists and Social Workers. Student Leadership:
• All students are provided opportunities to develop leadership skills and to take on formal leadership roles:
Homegroup Captains / House system / House Captains / School Captains
• The Student Council is the representative body with input into many facets of decision making in the school. Special programs include our challenging camps and tours program, the Instrumental Music program, School Productions, the Volleyball program, the Student Talents program, Learning Support and Intervention programs, the Surf Life Saving program (delivered in partnership with the Woolamai SLSC), the Music Industry program and the Year 9 New Horizons (challenge) program. Specialised school structures include:
• Dedicated Years 7, 8 and 9 classroom areas each with an associated learning common and kitchen facilities
• Later Years Centre
• Well resourced library
• Science and technology spaces (food, wood, metal, media, IT)
• Drama Theatre (200 seats)
• Music laboratory, recording studio, music rehearsal rooms
• Visual arts spaces (including ceramics and kiln room and full-sized photography lab)
• Four court indoor stadium, outdoor fitness gym, outdoor netball and basketball courts, cricket nets
Other resources that support learning include:
• An extensive electronic learning management system (access to learning materials over the web 24/7)
• Outdoor Education equipment, including mountain bikes and canoes, school bus, canoe and bike and camping trailers
• Large range of other specialist equipment, including musical instruments and photographic equipment
Other partners include our sister school in Japan, Mito Eiko JHS. We are also proud to be a member of the Mullum VET Cluster, the Upwey District Educational Community (UDEC) and the Dandenong Ranges Network of schools.
