Set on six hectares of grounds with lawn, trees, gardens and playing fields, Birrong Girls High was established in 1957. It has a student population of 860, and a reputation that attracts students from many areas. The majority of students continue on to tertiary education when they leave. The school has a P&C which endorses the wearing of full school uniform.
Facilities: A passive recreation area of landscaped gardens has been recognised as best practice in school playground environments. It contains gazebos, a pond and a sculpture court, and theme gardens. Other facilities include computer rooms, science laboratories, a multi-purpose hall and gymnasium, a drama theatre, a canteen, a wetlands study area, basketball courts, and three large sports fields. The school also has a specially designed library with state-of-the-art computer facilities and visual arts block.
Electives: A varied and interesting curriculum is seen as one of the school’s strengths, catering for university entry, other tertiary study and vocational skills. Students have the opportunity to study all English and Mathematics courses as well as Senior courses. These include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Extension English and Mathematics, Legal Studies, Business Studies, Geography, Commerce, Ancient History, Modern History, Japanese, Italian, Drama, Visual Arts, Music, PD/Health/PE, Society and Culture and Textiles and Design. There are also special courses offered such as Ceramics, Photography and Fundamental English. The school also has dual-accredited courses for the HSC. These include Hospitality, Retail, Business Services and Sport Coaching. English-as-a-second-language support is also provided.
Sport: Junior sport is integrated so that all students develop sporting skills with qualified PE teachers. Students also participate in grade sport, field days, competitions and state carnivals as well as experiencing a wide range of sports. The school has considerable success in gymnastics and trampolining. For the past nine years, students from the school have been awarded the Pierre de Coubertin Award for excellence in sport.
Extracurricular activities: Debating, PRC, chess club, Amnesty club, Environment team, dance, demonstration skipping team, instrumental groups and vocal ensembles. Full participation in school life is strongly endorsed.
Welfare and personal development: The school has a welfare program that emphasises care, achievement, reward, expectation, support and involvement. The head teacher of welfare and a team of Year advisers ensure that students feel safe, secure, motivated and confident. Student leadership is a priority with training provided as well as practical experience in the prefect body, SRC, peer mediation, peer support programs and a TAFE-accredited student mentoring reading scheme.
Special features: Gifted students are catered for in special classes in Years 7 and 8 and through a challenging extracurricular extension program. Students also take part in overseas study tours to enhance their learning of foreign languages. Technology in education is widespread and facilitated by networked resources that are regularly updated. The school has received an Australian National Government Award for Quality Schooling, a Director General’s Award and individual staff members have been recipients of the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Famous ex-students: Ilsa Konrads, Ruth Everuss, Jozefa Sobski (Deputy Director of Education).