St Ives High is a well-designed, modern school in a spacious natural setting. Students are mostly drawn from the surrounding area and reflect the cosmopolitan population of the district. The school has a special unit for students with hearing impairment. The school aims to combine the pursuit of academic excellence with social development of students in a stimulating environment.
Facilities: Two sports fields, gymnasium, 850-seat auditorium, library with 25,000 books and sophisticated technology support including computer spaces, seminar room with audio-visual facilities, over 20 interactive whiteboards, leading-edge digital video distribution system for whole campus.
The school also has multiple computer rooms, including a multimedia room and breakout spaces. There is high-speed wireless network throughout the school. There are specialist subject areas in Science, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Languages, Music, and Industrial Arts.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Software Design and Development, Information Processes and Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Hospitality, Visual Arts, PD/Health/PE, Ancient and Modern History, Music, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, Legal Studies, Community and Family Studies, Design and Technology (Jewellery and Wood), Industrial Technology (Graphics, Media, Timber), French (Beginners and Continuers), Japanese (Beginners and Continuers), English (Standard, Advanced, Fundamentals, ESL and Extension), Maths (Standard, General and Extension). Board- and Content-approved subjects include Visual Design, Marine Studies, Photography, Digital Imaging and Video Production.
Sport: Rugby, soccer, Australian rules, volleyball, tennis, basketball, hockey, netball, cricket, softball, baseball, touch football. Recreational sports include aerobics, ultimate frisbee, ice-skating, weight training, bowling, and gymnastics.
Extracurricular activities: Drama, musicals, choirs, orchestras, ensembles, bands, public speaking, debating, Mock Trial.
Welfare and personal development: SRC, peer support program, peer mediation, peer tutoring, work experience, full-time careers adviser, personal development, health. Student welfare is based on current DET policy and emphasises building student responsibility and respect for learning. There is an enforced uniform policy.
Special features: In 1993, the school was the first government high school to establish a full Year 7 class dedicated to accelerated progression. This successful program now also operates in Years 7 to 11. A number of students have completed School Certificate and Higher School Certificate subjects a year in advance of their peers.
Famous ex-students: Elli Overton (Olympic swimmer), Deborah Thomas (editor Australian Women’s Weekly), Jane Jamieson (Olympic and Commonwealth Games heptathlete) and Richard Thompson, Olympic baseballer.