Wangaratta High School

Wangaratta High School
Location
Edwards St

Wangaratta
,
Victoria
,
3677

Australia

36°21′45″S 146°18′53″E / 36.3626°S 146.3148°E / -36.3626; 146.3148
Information
TypeState, secondary, co-ed
Established1909[1]
Principal
David Armstrong
Years offered
7−12
Enrolment643[2]
Colours     Blue, green, yellow and red
SloganLearning Matters, Relationships Matter, I Matter
Websitewww.whs.vic.edu.au

Physical education centre

Wangaratta High School is a co-educational government secondary day school in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia.[3][4][5] As of 2026, it has approximately 600 students.[5] It was officially established in 1909.[3][6] In 2009 the school celebrated its centenary with former staff and student alumni of Wangaratta High School, Ovens College, and Wangaratta Secondary College all participating.[7] Over this 117 year history there has been several iterations of the school with various names across different campuses.[6][8] Most recently the school consolidated from three campuses (Ovens College, Wangaratta HS / GoTAFE Campus), back to one campus in 2014.[6]

The school has a strong reputation in outdoor education, adventure and skiing. It has a long association with Mittagundi Outdoor Education Centre, and a number of Directors/Principals have been past students. The school has previously won the Victorian Interschools Cross Country Skiing Championships, and a number of alumni have represented Australia in cross-country skiing, including Xanthea Dewez.[9]

Extracurricular activities include involvement in the schools many bands, each of which go on a camp each year, to various parts of Australia. It was the 2002 winner of the Kool Skools award. In 2022, Wangaratta High School was a premium venue of the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival.

Campus (and revitalisation works)

In 2025, the Victorian state government allocated $11.7 million to a major upgrade for the school.[10][11] This funding will upgrade the senior and middle school facilities, as well as refurbish existing buildings. Works began in 2026 and will be completed in 2027.

The Senior Years Building - Currently houses students in Years 10–12 is a state of the art building powered by geothermal energy.[12] It was completed in 2009 along with the refurbishment of the PAC (Performing Arts Centre).

A new administrative office and Science / Technology and Arts building was completed in 2013. It features science, media, art, woodworking and textiles classrooms.

The Middle Years Learning Community, housing students in Years 7–9 is currently being refurbished.[13]

Academic Program

In years 7-9, Wangaratta High School runs a Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) program. It is one of only 38 schools that is accredited to run the program by the Department of Education in Victoria.[14][15] In years 11 and 12, Wangaratta High School offers the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Vocational Major (VM) to all students.[16]

Notable Alumni

There have been several incarnations of Wangaratta High School across multiple sites and campuses over its 117 year history. Alumni featured below attended one of these many iterations of the school.

References

  1. ↑ "Wangaratta High School - History". Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "My School provides information that helps parents and the community in understanding the performance of schools over time".
  3. 1 2 "History & Snippets - Wangaratta Historical Society, Inc". Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  4. ↑ "Wangaratta | Victorian Places". www.victorianplaces.com.au. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  5. 1 2 ACARA. "School Profile". My School. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "History – Wangaratta High School". whs.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  7. ↑ "Centenary of Wangaratta High School | Former Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries". formerministers.dss.gov.au. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  8. ↑ Kerwin, Simone. "Project highlights school's rich history". www.wangarattachronicle.com.au. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "Australian Champions – Individuals – Wangaratta High School". whs.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  10. ↑ Kelly, Steve. "High school on $11.7m cloud nine". www.wangarattachronicle.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "Parliament of Victoria - Wangaratta High School - 28 November". www.parliament.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "Project Data" (PDF). Green Building Council of Australia.
  13. ↑ "Wangaratta High School". www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  14. ↑ "SEAL Program – Wangaratta High School". whs.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program" (PDF). Department of Education Victoria.
  16. ↑ "Year 11 and 12 – Senior Years – Wangaratta High School". whs.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  17. ↑ "Paul Bryce". ON REFLECTION. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "History – Wangaratta High School". whs.vic.edu.au. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
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