Monterey Secondary College
Encyclopedia
Monterey Secondary College is a public, secondary
, day school
located in the Melbourne
suburb of Frankston North
in Victoria
, Australia
.
It was established in 1994 following the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School, both which were founded during the late 1960s. It now occupies the former Monterey Technical School's campus on Silvertop Street.
The College has an recognised reputation in visual arts and performing arts
, notably its college bands and Rock Eisteddfod team. It is also notable for its strong student leadership structure.
It has an enrolment of approximately 530 students.
" area, near to the northern boundary of the suburb of Frankston
, and on the southern boundary of Frankston North
. To the south it is bordered by the Peninsula Country Golf Club, to the west by the Long Island Country Golf Club, and to the north by the Eric Bell Sports Reserve. Its main entrance is to the east on Silvertop Street in Frankston North.
in the northern Frankston
suburbs of Frankston North
, Carrum Downs
and Seaford
. During this time, homes in Frankston North (a former defence force
/government housing estate) were being transferred to private ownership, Carrum Downs was developing from a post-war Salvation Army
settlement into a fledgeling suburb, and new home construction was advancing in Seaford.
The campus of the High School on Monterey Boulevard was completed in late 1966, with its first students starting at the commencement of 1967. The Technical School operated out of portable buildings on the High School grounds - while its campus was being constructed on Silvertop Street. Both campus' buildings were constructed of mixed brick and breeze block, and courts for basketball
and tennis
and fields for football
and soccer were also developed on both campus' grounds. Classroom buildings were mostly stand-alone "wings", which were connected via both covered and uncovered pathways. Each campus housed a large gym
nasium and the Technical School also housed a large music centre.
In the early 1980s, the High School was expanded with the construction of a new classroom wing and a new library
building. 1989 saw the Les McNamara Scholarship commence - which presents a student of the High School with a full scholarship
each year, and is awarded by the Rotary Club of Seaford-Carrum Downs. By the early 1990s, Frankston City Council had decided to merge the schools to reduce administrative costs - as attendance at technical schools had declined dramatically, as students began to strive more for academic achievements rather than learning a trade.
The former Technical School site became the Junior Campus (years 7 - 10) of the new College, and the High School site became the Senior Campus (years 11 - 12). The Senior Campus was eventually closed at the end of 1994, with all students relocated to a single inclusive campus on Silvertop Street. The buildings of the former Senior Campus remained standing for three years after its closure, and were finally demolished in 1997. Following the demolition, the area remained an undeveloped wasteland. The site was sold by the Kennett Government
to a private investor, who failed to develop the site for some years. It was later repurchased by the Bracks Government
, who then donated to Frankston City Council. The site has since been developed into a community park - with a cycling/walking track, playground
and skate park also now in place.
was presented to the Legislative Assembly of Victoria, signed by 1,879 residents of Carrum Downs
, which sought action for the:
The petition, which was instigated by parents of students attending the College and whom lived in Carrum Downs, was unsuccessful. Eventually, Carrum Downs Secondary College
and the Carrum Downs Campus of the private Flinders Christian Community College were established in Carrum Downs, during the 2000s, to ease enrolment at Monterey Secondary College.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new gym
nasium and a multi-purpose indoor court were constructed, and the former gymnasium was redeveloped into a dance
and drama
centre. New theatrettes
; art
, computer
, graphic art, science
and textiles classrooms, as well as a small farm
, were also added. More recently, eight new free-use computer cafés (called "pods") were added and the College cafeteria
was redeveloped into a 1950s-style diner
. The College has established and maintained a reputation for innovation and success, particularly in the areas of visual arts and performing arts
. It has also maintained excellent results in the VCE
, leading into 2000 and beyond.
In 2009, it was announced by the Brumby Government
that the College will receive A$
2 million for the construction of more science classrooms and a new foreign languages centre.
, and is officially opened by prolific artist and cartoonist (and long-time friend of the College) Jeff Hook each year.
The College Jazz Band is considered one of the finest secondary college bands in the state. It receives regular invitations for public performances, including Federation Square
in 2004.
. Today, its productions are considered a benchmark of the competition. It won the Victorian Rock Eisteddfod in 1996 with a production based on Batman & Robin. Controversy ensued when the Nine Network
televised the St. Columba's College
production, which was based on the then popular The X-Files
, instead of Monterey Secondary College's winning production. It won the competition again in 2000 with an original production called The Ice Maiden. It has also produced award-winning productions based on The Thunderbirds, the rise of the Roman Empire
and the theme of evil
.
The College's Rock Eisteddfod team is nicknamed "MontyRock".
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
, day school
Day school
A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...
located in the Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
suburb of Frankston North
Frankston North, Victoria
Frankston North, also known as The Pines, is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 37 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston...
in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
It was established in 1994 following the merger of Monterey High School and Monterey Technical School, both which were founded during the late 1960s. It now occupies the former Monterey Technical School's campus on Silvertop Street.
The College has an recognised reputation in visual arts and performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
, notably its college bands and Rock Eisteddfod team. It is also notable for its strong student leadership structure.
It has an enrolment of approximately 530 students.
Location
The College is located in a "semi-green beltGreen belt
A green belt or greenbelt is a policy and land use designation used in land use planning to retain areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding or neighbouring urban areas. Similar concepts are greenways or green wedges which have a linear character and may run through an...
" area, near to the northern boundary of the suburb of Frankston
Frankston, Victoria
Frankston is a suburb within the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area in Victoria, Australia. It is located 40 km southeast of the state capital Melbourne at the southernmost edge of Greater Melbourne, near the beginnings of the Mornington Peninsula...
, and on the southern boundary of Frankston North
Frankston North, Victoria
Frankston North, also known as The Pines, is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 37 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston...
. To the south it is bordered by the Peninsula Country Golf Club, to the west by the Long Island Country Golf Club, and to the north by the Eric Bell Sports Reserve. Its main entrance is to the east on Silvertop Street in Frankston North.
MHS and MTS
Monterey High School was established first, in 1966. Its first classes were held in four portables located at Monterey Primary School (now known as Mahogany Rise Primary School). Monterey Technical School followed, in 1967. Both schools served the growing demand for secondary educationSecondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
in the northern Frankston
Frankston, Victoria
Frankston is a suburb within the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area in Victoria, Australia. It is located 40 km southeast of the state capital Melbourne at the southernmost edge of Greater Melbourne, near the beginnings of the Mornington Peninsula...
suburbs of Frankston North
Frankston North, Victoria
Frankston North, also known as The Pines, is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 37 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston...
, Carrum Downs
Carrum Downs, Victoria
Carrum Downs is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 34 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston. At the 2006 Census, Carrum Downs had a population of 17,213....
and Seaford
Seaford, Victoria
Seaford is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 36 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston...
. During this time, homes in Frankston North (a former defence force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
/government housing estate) were being transferred to private ownership, Carrum Downs was developing from a post-war Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
settlement into a fledgeling suburb, and new home construction was advancing in Seaford.
The campus of the High School on Monterey Boulevard was completed in late 1966, with its first students starting at the commencement of 1967. The Technical School operated out of portable buildings on the High School grounds - while its campus was being constructed on Silvertop Street. Both campus' buildings were constructed of mixed brick and breeze block, and courts for basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
and fields for football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
and soccer were also developed on both campus' grounds. Classroom buildings were mostly stand-alone "wings", which were connected via both covered and uncovered pathways. Each campus housed a large gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium and the Technical School also housed a large music centre.
In the early 1980s, the High School was expanded with the construction of a new classroom wing and a new library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
building. 1989 saw the Les McNamara Scholarship commence - which presents a student of the High School with a full scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
each year, and is awarded by the Rotary Club of Seaford-Carrum Downs. By the early 1990s, Frankston City Council had decided to merge the schools to reduce administrative costs - as attendance at technical schools had declined dramatically, as students began to strive more for academic achievements rather than learning a trade.
1993 merger
Following a series of consultative parent-teacher meetings a merger was announced to take place in 1993. College records show that the main concern voiced by parents and teachers at the largest consultative meeting, held in the High School's gymnasium, was that the merger may "incite violence" between the traditionally competitive High School and Technical School students. Tension was present between students in the early years of the College, following the merger of the schools, however a reputation for "unruliness" was short-lived. The name of Monterey Secondary College was adopted at the merger of the schools in 1993, and officially used upon its full completion in the 1994 academic year.The former Technical School site became the Junior Campus (years 7 - 10) of the new College, and the High School site became the Senior Campus (years 11 - 12). The Senior Campus was eventually closed at the end of 1994, with all students relocated to a single inclusive campus on Silvertop Street. The buildings of the former Senior Campus remained standing for three years after its closure, and were finally demolished in 1997. Following the demolition, the area remained an undeveloped wasteland. The site was sold by the Kennett Government
Jeff Kennett
Jeffrey Gibb Kennett AC , a former Australian politician, was the Premier of Victoria between 1992 and 1999. He is currently the President of Hawthorn Football Club. He is the founding Chairman of beyondblue, a national depression initiative.- Early life :Kennett was born in Melbourne on 2 March...
to a private investor, who failed to develop the site for some years. It was later repurchased by the Bracks Government
Steve Bracks
Stephen Philip Bracks AC is a former Australian politician and the 44th Premier of Victoria. He first won the electoral district of Williamstown in 1994 for the Australian Labor Party, and was party leader and Premier from 1999 to 2007....
, who then donated to Frankston City Council. The site has since been developed into a community park - with a cycling/walking track, playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
and skate park also now in place.
Recent history
In 1997, a petitionPetition
A petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer....
was presented to the Legislative Assembly of Victoria, signed by 1,879 residents of Carrum Downs
Carrum Downs, Victoria
Carrum Downs is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 34 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Frankston. At the 2006 Census, Carrum Downs had a population of 17,213....
, which sought action for the:
"construction of suitable facilities in Carrum Downs with the view of relocating Monterey Secondary College from its present location in Frankston North"
The petition, which was instigated by parents of students attending the College and whom lived in Carrum Downs, was unsuccessful. Eventually, Carrum Downs Secondary College
Carrum Downs Secondary College
Carrum Downs Secondary College is a public high school located in the Melbourne suburb of Carrum Downs in Victoria, Australia.Established in 2004, Carrum Downs Secondary has an enrolment of approximately 1,500 students....
and the Carrum Downs Campus of the private Flinders Christian Community College were established in Carrum Downs, during the 2000s, to ease enrolment at Monterey Secondary College.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium and a multi-purpose indoor court were constructed, and the former gymnasium was redeveloped into a dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
and drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
centre. New theatrettes
Lecture hall
A lecture hall is a large room used for instruction, typically at a college or university. Unlike a traditional classroom with a capacity from one to four dozen, the capacity of lecture halls is typically measured in the hundreds...
; art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
, graphic art, science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and textiles classrooms, as well as a small farm
Farm
A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...
, were also added. More recently, eight new free-use computer cafés (called "pods") were added and the College cafeteria
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
was redeveloped into a 1950s-style diner
Diner
A diner, also spelled dinor in western Pennsylvania is a prefabricated restaurant building characteristic of North America, especially in the Midwest, in New York City, in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey, and in other areas of the Northeastern United States, although examples can be found throughout...
. The College has established and maintained a reputation for innovation and success, particularly in the areas of visual arts and performing arts
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
. It has also maintained excellent results in the VCE
Victorian Certificate of Education
The Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases...
, leading into 2000 and beyond.
In 2009, it was announced by the Brumby Government
John Brumby
John Mansfield Brumby , is an Australian Labor Party politician who was Premier of Victoria from 2007 to 2010. He became Premier after the resignation of Steve Bracks. He also served as the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. He contested his first election...
that the College will receive A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
2 million for the construction of more science classrooms and a new foreign languages centre.
Annual Monterey Art Exhibition
The annual Monterey Art Exhibition is held at the Frankston Arts CentreFrankston Arts Centre
The Frankston Arts Centre is a landmark theatre and art gallery in the outer Melbourne locality of Frankston in Australia. It was opened by then Prime Minister, The Hon...
, and is officially opened by prolific artist and cartoonist (and long-time friend of the College) Jeff Hook each year.
College bands and ensembles
The College has a number of bands - notably its College Junior Band, College Senior Band and College Jazz Band.The College Jazz Band is considered one of the finest secondary college bands in the state. It receives regular invitations for public performances, including Federation Square
Federation Square
Federation Square is a civic centre and cultural precinct in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
in 2004.
"MontyRock" eisteddfod team
The College first entered the Rock Eisteddfod competition in 1994, with an original production based on carsCARS
Cars, or automobiles, motor cars, are wheeled motor vehicles used for transporting passengers.Cars or CARS may also refer to:-Entertainment:* Cars , a Disney/Pixar film series...
. Today, its productions are considered a benchmark of the competition. It won the Victorian Rock Eisteddfod in 1996 with a production based on Batman & Robin. Controversy ensued when the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
televised the St. Columba's College
St. Columba's College, Melbourne
St. Columba's College is a private, all-female Roman Catholic secondary school in the Melbourne suburb of Essendon.-History:After taking responsibility for St Monica's School in Moonee Ponds in 1896, Mother Ursula Bruton purchased the property at 139 Buckley Street to provide secondary education...
production, which was based on the then popular The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
, instead of Monterey Secondary College's winning production. It won the competition again in 2000 with an original production called The Ice Maiden. It has also produced award-winning productions based on The Thunderbirds, the rise of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and the theme of evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
.
The College's Rock Eisteddfod team is nicknamed "MontyRock".
Notable alumni
- Glenn Aitken - former MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the City of FrankstonCity of FrankstonThe City of Frankston is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 131 square kilometres and has a estimated population of 128,576 people.... - Bruce BillsonBruce BillsonBruce Frederick Billson MP is an Australian politician and Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since 1996. He represents the Division of Dunkley, Victoria....
- Member of ParliamentMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for the Division of DunkleyDivision of DunkleyThe Division of Dunkley is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division was created in 1984 and is named for Louisa Margaret Dunkley, a trade unionist and campaigner for equal pay for women. It is located in... - Nathan BurkeNathan BurkeNathan Burke is a former Australian rules footballer.He was a tough rover who always backed himself in a contest and was one of the most courageous footballers to play for the St Kilda Football Club. He set the club record for most number of games at his retirement, with 323 games which was broken...
- former Captain of the St Kilda Football Club - Lisa Campbell - Commonwealth GamesCommonwealth GamesThe Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
gold medallist in badmintonBadmintonBadminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their... - Shaun Carney - Associate Editor of The AgeThe AgeThe Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
newspaper - Stephen Foster - international triathlete
- Russell GreeneRussell GreeneRussell Greene is a former Australian rules footballer and member of the prestigious 300 game club.He was just sixteen when he made his VFL debut in 1974 for St Kilda. In 1980 he joined Hawthorn and was a key player during a successful decade for the club...
- player with the HawthornHawthorn Football ClubThe Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
and St Kilda football clubs - Jackie WoodburneJackie WoodburneJackie Woodburne is a Northern Irish-born Australian actress.-Personal life:Woodburne was born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Her father was a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. She has two older siblings: John and Stephen. At age three she emigrated with her family to...
- actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
(plays Susan KennedySusan KennedySusan Kennedy , is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Jackie Woodburne. The character and her family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Susan made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 along...
on NeighboursNeighboursNeighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
)