Rob Newton-- The Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences
Rob Newton has been a teacher for 40 years, the last 10 of which have been at University High. He outlined the history of University High. It was established in Carlton in 1910 and moved to its current position next to RMH in 1930.
University High has around 1400 students, most of whom are from the local area, including the housing commission high-rise flats. 30% of the students are health card carriers, indicating that they are from a low-income family. There are 55 different nationalities at the school.
University High has done remarkably well at getting students to go on to University (95% of students) and staying there (91%). The proximity to University of Melbourne might make students more comfortable with university life.
Rob spoke about the national shortage of high school students interested in science and maths. The reason for this is unclear. While many students do some science and maths subjects, few take a specialist interest. To help overcome this, the idea was proposed of putting the students with these interests in one place and exciting them about the topic.
A partnership was established with the University of Melbourne to establish the Elizabeth Blackburn school. The University providing the land at a nominal rent, while the Department of Education put in $7M for a building. The school was named after Elizabeth Blackburn for a number of reasons: she is an alumnus of both University High and University of Melbourne, a Nobel Laureate, and a role model for women in science.
Students are chosen based on an entry exam, and an essay on their passion for science and being at the school. The school can cater for 100, but the initial intake was 87.
In Year 11, the students take 7 subjects, and in Year 12, 5 subjects. Subjects are chemistry, maths, English, biology, physics, with options of music and languages. A special subject called “Extended Investigations” was undertaken, in which the student proposes the topic, and does an essay, oral presentation and online test.
The vision of the Elizabeth Blackburn School is:
- School to bench to work.
- Engage students in specialist sciences.
- Innovative and collaborative pedagogy.
- Transition to university is seamless.
- Access to disadvantaged/rural students.
- Working partnership with Uni of Melbourne and Bio21 precinct.