Girraween High School
Girraween High School (colloquially known as Girra) is a government-funded co-educational academically selective secondary day school, located in Girraween, in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Established in 1976 and operated by the New South Wales Department of Education, the school caters for approximately 760 students from Year 7 to Year 12. History. Girraween High School was first opened in 1976, with an enrolment of 300 students and 20 staff. Its inaugural Principal was Colin Bowser and the Deputy Principal Harry Earp. Shortly after the school's opening, an agricultural plot was  established, staffed by a part-time farm hand. That same year, with the assistance of Science Teacher John Flygan, a camera club was formed. Given that the medium was not at that time part of the art curriculum, the darkrooms were installed within the Science Department. In 1980, the Camera Club's collaboration with students interested in journalism led to the publishing of the school's first yearbook. In 1978, the school applied for a grant to build a number of buildings to represent a pioneer Australian town. Despite not receiving the funding, under the guidance of Industrial Arts teacher  John Lawson, the school erected a colonial cottage that was relocated from Blacktown. The building was the first of several, including a railway station, and constituted what was to become "Davey Village". The structures were burnt down a decade later with the school maintaining the remains in what is now part of the expanded agriculture plot. Through the years of 1977 to 1983, Gus the Goat served as the school's official mascot. On his passing in 1983, the school newspaper was dedicated to him, although now the newsletter is called "Etcetera". In 1989, Girraween High became an academically selective  school. Under principal Robert Cruikshank, specialist computer rooms and music studios were constructed, and a sister school relationship with Hisai High school in Mie, Japan was forged. At Presentation Day on 15 December 2008, former Premier Nathan Rees promised that a school hall would be added to the state's Capital Works program. In September 2009 a $400,000 grant was announced to extend the school gym and construct a stage. In 2014, Girraween High School achieved exceptional results in the HSC Examinations and was subsequently placed 15th statewide amongst all high schools. In 2015, Girraween High School ranked 8th  statewide. In 2018, there were several upgrades made to the school such as new roofing and upgraded toilets. Further major improvements made to the school included upgrades to the Senior Lawn and Study. The development of modern quality learning environments included the addition of shade cloths, outdoor sandstone learning areas and an outdoor performance amphitheatre. Curriculum. Students take the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Since 2012, students do not take the School Certificate. Co-curriculum. Students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, agriculture club, school newspaper, music and drama, chess, mock trial, Tournament  of Minds, Inter-school Christian Fellowship, students' representative council, semi-formal committee, jersey committee, various debating competitions, the Streamwatch water monitoring initiative, state drama, Youth Parliament, F1 in Schools, Volunteering and an advanced driving course. The school has also hosted an annual concert, MADD (Music, Art, Drama/Dance) at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta until 2006. MADD is now staged in the newly redeveloped MPC. Performing and creative arts. The school has produced "The Boyfriend", followed in 1983 with "Annie Get Your Gun", "Cabaret", "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Bye Bye Birdie" in 2007, as well as a variety of  smaller-scale performances by various drama classes throughout the years. In 2005 the Ensembles Program was established by Dane Ropa. This program included a concert band for more experienced players, run by Lyndall Hord; a training band for people who would like to learn to play an instrument, run by Daniel Capizzi and Morgan Biddle; an Intermediate band for those students in the middle, run by Belinda Smith; a stage/jazz band, a percussion ensemble and a number of rock bands. MADD (Music, Arts, Dance and Drama) is an annual production of Girraween High School's Music Department. The concert  followed the school's annual production which was originally known as the "Riverside Musicale" and was founded by Clive Lane (retired Deputy Principal of the Conservatorium High School) in 1995 as a showcase of musical talent at the school, and a performance opportunity for HSC performance students. MADD was a completely new take on this idea and included performances by all of the ensembles, auditioned soloists with the highlight being a number of combined concert band and massed choir items that involved more than 300 students. An art exhibition was also incorporated to showcase Yr 12 Body of Works. Admissions  and enrolment. Total enrolment - per year group - in junior years (7-10) is approximately 120 students, and around 140 in senior years (11-12). As a selective school, entry into the school in Year 7 is based upon results in a statewide examination known as the Selective High Schools Test. As of 2015, students must achieve a score of at least 235 in this examination to be accepted at the school. Entry into vacant places in later stages is based on a reserve list, an exam and at times other criteria - mainly reports and academic achievements from previous years. Sport . The school has a large gymnasium which contains one small basketball court or one volleyball court. The school also has two full-sized sporting fields, as well as two outdoor basketball courts with a shelter. There is also a room with a few gym equipment, such as plyo boxes and a rowing machine. Girraween High School participates in the Quad Schools Tournament. Sport houses. Girraween High School has four houses named after Australian sporting personalities: