Wangaratta High School
State, secondary, co-ed school in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Wangaratta High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
Edwards St Wangaratta , Victoria , 3677 Australia | |
| 36.3626°S 146.3148°E | |
| Information | |
| Type | State, secondary, co-ed |
| Established | 1909[1] |
Principal | David Armstrong |
Years offered | 7−12 |
| Enrolment | 643[2] |
| Colours | Blue, green, yellow and red |
| Slogan | Learning Matters, Relationships Matter, I Matter |
| Website | www |
Physical education centre | |
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.
- Paul Bryce, footballer[17]
- Nick Cave, musician[18]
- Jenny Macklin, politician[18]
- Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway
- Nick Morris, Australian wheelchair basketball player[18]
- Darcy Vescio, AFLW footballer[18]
- Lorna Verdun Sisely, surgeon
