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Turning the Sod: A Century ‘at the Castle’

As Melbourne High School prepares to celebrate 100 years at Forrest Hill next year, the community recently gathered to mark an important moment in that history — the Turning of the Sod ceremony, commemorating the start of construction of the School’s iconic campus a century ago.

Held on 18 February, the ceremony was officiated by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, together with Ms Rachel Westaway MP, Member for Prahran, students, alumni and members of the wider Melbourne High School community. It was an opportunity to pause and reflect on the generations who have studied, taught and supported the School since the first sod was turned in 1926.

For many in the Melbourne High community, the Forrest Hill campus is simply known as the Castle on the Hill — a place that has shaped the lives of thousands of students and stands as one of the most recognisable schools in Victoria.

The ceremony reflected many of the traditions that continue to define life at Melbourne High today. The familiar ritual of flag-raising marked the occasion, while a friendly cricket match between the Governor’s XI and the School’s First XI brought together students, Old Boys and friends of the School in a celebration of community and shared history.

It was a reminder of our school’s proud legacy as one of Victoria’s lighthouse schools — providing outstanding public education and preparing students to contribute meaningfully to the communities they will one day serve. Over the past century, generations of Melbourne High students have carried that legacy forward through leadership, service and achievement across many fields.

As the Governor reflected, we honour the work of those who came before us. Guided by our motto — Honour the Work and the Work Will Honour You — we continue that legacy today through sustained effort, grit and determination, as evidenced by our outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.

Like the generations before them, today’s students continue to benefit from the commitment and generosity of a community that cares deeply about Melbourne High and its future.

As we move closer to celebrating the school’s centenary at Forrest Hill in 2026, the Turning of the Sod ceremony offered a fitting reminder that the story of Melbourne High has always been shaped by its community — and that the same spirit will continue to guide its next century.

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Scholarships & Sports 

MHS Cricket

Recognising and supporting student achievement remains an important part of the Melbourne High School experience. Scholarships and prizes are awarded throughout the year and at End of Year Assemblies to acknowledge excellence across academic, sporting and broader contributions to school life.

In 2025, the Foundation supported 40 students through scholarships with a combined value of $39,025. These scholarships help recognise student achievement while providing meaningful support to students and families across the Melbourne High community.

We also contributed $12,000 to support several School sporting initiatives. This support helped enable student participation in key competitions including the Five Highs Cricket Competition, the Barberis Cup Cricket Competition and the Trans-Tasman Water Polo Competition.

Thanks to your generous contributions, the Foundation continues to play an important role in supporting opportunities that enable Melbourne High students to thrive both academically and beyond the classroom.

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Celebrating Achievement at Speech Night

Melbourne High School’s 2025 Speech Night was held on 4 December at Plenary at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together students, families, alumni and supporters to celebrate the achievements of the graduating Year 12 cohort and the broader school community.

The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Melbourne High School Old Boy Emeritus Professor Andrew Scott (MHS 1977–1980), a distinguished academic in politics and public policy. Reflecting on leaving Melbourne High in 1980 during the uncertainties of the Cold War era, Professor Scott drew parallels with the challenges facing young people today as they enter adulthood in a rapidly changing world. While acknowledging global uncertainties, he reminded students that history is rarely wholly bleak nor wholly hopeful, and that progress comes through individuals and communities working to make a positive difference. He encouraged the graduating class to approach the future with optimism, adaptability and a commitment to using their education and values to contribute positively to society.

Speech Night prizes also reflect the generosity of the Melbourne High community. Approximately 90 donors supported 103 prizes across academic, general and sporting categories, recognising excellence across the many dimensions of school life. These contributions represent an extraordinary commitment from alumni and supporters who continue to invest in the opportunities available to current and future Melbourne High students.

Academic prizes were presented by Emeritus Professor Andrew Scott, while general and sporting awards were presented by retiring Assistant Principal Mr Andrew Sloan.

The Foundation supported the literature arts award and general awards recognising student achievement and contribution to the life of the School.

The night also celebrated the cultural and musical life of the School, including performances by the Tattam-Wallis Band and the traditional massed singing that has long been part of Melbourne High’s Speech Night traditions.

Speech Night remains one of the most significant events in the Melbourne High calendar – a moment to celebrate student achievement, recognise the generosity of the community that supports scholarships and prizes, and reflect on the shared commitment to the School’s future.

Melbourne High School Foundation Pre-Speech Night Gathering

Prior to the ceremony, the Foundation hosted our inaugural Pre-Speech Night gathering, attended by around 50 valued donors and supporters. Foundation President Sam Theodore welcomed guests and thanked them for their ongoing commitment to Melbourne High School. 

He also acknowledged the late Colin Green OAM — a founding member of the Melbourne High School Foundation and long-standing supporter of the School and the Old Boys Association — recognising his lasting contribution to the Melbourne High community.

The event received very positive feedback from attendees and we look forward to hosting the gathering again next year.

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Donor Impact – Project Updates 

Artist in Residence – Jenine Godwin-Thompson

Thanks to the support of Melbourne High School Foundation donors we recently welcomed Indigenous artist Jenine Godwin-Thompson recipient of our Artists in Residence program. Jenine’s work explores the deep connection between Melbourne High School and the Country on which it stands. As part of her residency, she has created two striking paintings that reflect this relationship and the spirit of the School community. One of these works is now installed at the entrance of the CHES building, offering a powerful visual welcome to students and visitors.

During her time with the School, Jenine will also work with students through educational sessions exploring artistic practice and the cultural stories. We’re also exploring the creation of limited-edition collectables inspired by the artworks — including ties, scarves, journals and corporate gifts — allowing the Melbourne High community to share in and celebrate the work. We look forward to featuring a fuller profile of Jenine and her work with the School in a future newsletter.

School Entrance Doors

Work is progressing on the restoration of the School’s historic entrance doors, with the Melbourne High School Foundation currently sourcing skilled heritage door specialists in Victoria to undertake the repair and reconstruction work. Restoring doors of this age and significance requires highly specialised craftsmanship, and we are taking the time to identify the right expertise to ensure the work is carried out with the care and quality it deserves. We look forward to updating the Melbourne High community as plans progress and the next stage of this project takes shape.

Swimming Pool Update

Thank you to our donors who supported the recent fundraising effort for the installation of new swimming pool heat pumps. After installation work commenced, a number of leaks were identified in the pool basement. As a result, the pool has needed to be drained so that the necessary repairs can be undertaken. This work will take time and require significant funding. 

If members of our community have relevant experience, ideas or suggestions we would welcome hearing from you. We will continue to keep you updated as the project progresses.

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From the Principal – March 2026

The year has commenced positively and with a strong sense of purpose. Encouraged by our stellar 2025 VCE and co-curricular achievements, we reaffirm our aim to be the State’s highest performing secondary school and a lighthouse school for public education.

It is an ambitious vision, but certainly not an unattainable one. Our students are highly capable and our community aspirational.

At its heart, this vision extends well beyond academic achievement alone. As our motto reminds us, we are more than just marks. Through high-quality teaching and learning, our expectation is that we graduate students who are well equipped for further education, employment, and community service. This requires us to deliberately develop the personal and character strengths that enable our students to become good global citizens — well-rounded, resilient, and principled young men.

In the curriculum, this has meant changes to the timetable, introducing new subjects and ways of learning that ensure our students have the skills, knowledge and personal dispositions required for both personal and academic success.
I very much appreciate the ongoing support of the MHS Foundation, alumni organisations and parent bodies, whose fundraising efforts and pro-bono contributions continue to support the School.

2025 EOY Fundraising Donor Thanks and Update
Thank you again for your generous support. Your support last year has enabled us to advance a number of important projects, including:

  • Swimming pool repairs
  • Artists, Writers and Entrepreneurs in Residence Program
  • School entrance/front doors
  • Sport program
  • Speech Night Awards and Scholarships
  • Tomorrow Man — a program designed to help guide boys towards a healthier understanding of masculinity

Work on the pool is ongoing. The Foundation’s support has helped us acquire new heat pumps. Our Artists, Writers and Entrepreneurs in Residence Program has enabled us to engage Indigenous artist Jenine Godwin-Thompson and support our Year 10 Entrepreneurship Forums.

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Supporting the Millgrove Experience

For many students, the week at Millgrove Outdoor Education Centre becomes a defining moment in their time at Melbourne High. Away from the routines of the classroom, students challenge themselves through activities such as bushwalking, canoeing, caving and environmental exploration — learning not only about the natural world, but about themselves and one another. It is where friendships deepen, confidence grows and young people discover capabilities they did not know they had.

As one student reflected after attending the program, the experience was both challenging and rewarding — a chance to step outside familiar routines and return to school with a stronger sense of independence and connection to their peers. 

Behind these experiences is a simple but essential piece of infrastructure: the Millgrove bus.

For many years, the program relied on a bus that had served the School well but had reached the end of its operational life. To ensure the program could continue safely and reliably, the School recently purchased a new bus at a cost of $120,000.

This vehicle plays a vital role in the Millgrove program, transporting students and staff between activity sites and enabling the wide range of outdoor experiences that make the program possible.

The Melbourne High School Foundation is now inviting alumni and supporters to help contribute towards the cost of the new bus, ensuring that future generations of students can continue to benefit from the Millgrove experience.

For over a century, the Melbourne High community has supported opportunities that shape students not only academically, but personally. Millgrove remains one of those defining experiences.

More information about the Millgrove Bus Appeal and how to contribute will be shared shortly.

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Helping Young Men Thrive

With the support of Melbourne High School Foundation donors, we have been able to expand the Tomorrow Man wellbeing program to both Year 9 and Year 10 students this year, following a successful introduction in 2024.

While Melbourne High has long been recognised for academic excellence, we also know that supporting the wellbeing of our students is just as important. Helping young men develop resilience, empathy and the confidence to ask for help when they need it is an essential part of preparing them for life beyond school.

For many young men today, adolescence comes with complex pressures. Conversations around identity, relationships and masculinity and largely driven by social media are increasingly visible and not always promoting healthy or respectful masculinity. Subsequently many young men are unsure how to navigate expectations around vulnerability, friendship and emotional expression. 

As educators, we believe it is important that our students have the opportunity to explore these questions in safe and constructive ways.

We have partnered with Tomorrow Man, an Australian organisation that works with schools and communities to help young men develop emotional awareness, stronger relationships and a healthier understanding of masculinity. 

Through a series of facilitated workshops, the program creates space for open and honest conversations about the pressures young men can feel to hide vulnerability or conform to narrow expectations of what it means to “be a man”. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, challenge stereotypes and build the skills needed to communicate more openly with those around them.

The workshops explore a range of themes including challenging harmful stereotypes about masculinity, understanding the impact of banter and behaviour on others, and learning how to set healthy boundaries. Students also reflect on respectful relationships and consider the values and behaviours they want to carry into adulthood.

The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Survey feedback shows that 92 per cent of participants said the workshops broadened their understanding of masculinity, while 90 per cent reported feeling more confident reaching out for help if they were struggling. Many also said they felt more confident supporting friends who may be going through difficult experiences. 

Student reflections capture the impact best. One participant shared, “I learned that it is important to break the stereotypes of men and to ask for help when you need it.” Another reflected, “The best way to get things off your chest is to talk to someone about them.”

This program has been delivered through a partnership between Melbourne High School and the Melbourne High School Foundation, the foundation providing $20,000.

Together, we are investing in more than academic success. We are helping ensure our students grow into thoughtful, resilient and compassionate young men who are ready to contribute positively to the communities they will one day lead.

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From Classroom to Boardroom: Cultivating Talent at MHS

Melbourne High School has long been a place where creativity, intellect, and ambition converge. From these halls have come leaders in science, business, and the arts—people like Sir John Eccles, Max Gillies, John Gandel, Raimond Gaita, Peter Singer and Jon Faine—who credit the school with sparking their journey.

Now, we’re building on that tradition through the Artists, Writers & Entrepreneurs in Residence program.

This initiative connects students with creative professionals and entrepreneurial leaders who mentor, inspire, and expand their view of what’s possible. It’s a chance for the artist-in-resident to give back, share their story, and create something meaningful in a dynamic educational setting.

With your help, we can ensure the next big idea starts here.

Reviving a Tradition of Intellectual Discovery

Melbourne High’s legacy includes more than academic success. For decades, the school has hosted some of the world’s sharpest minds—from Nobel laureates like Sir John Eccles to beloved educators like Ben Munday—who’ve inspired generations of students through lectures and residencies.

We’re bringing this tradition forward.

Our Artists, Writers & Entrepreneurs in Residence program will revive signature events and add new experiences designed to challenge and expand student thinking. Through live talks, mentoring sessions, and student-led projects, this initiative will help young people turn passion into purpose.

Support the return of bold ideas. Join us in funding this next chapter.

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A Pool with a Purpose: The Story Behind Melbourne High’s Swim Legacy

In the aftermath of World War I, Brigadier George Furner Langley returned to Australia with a powerful mission—ensuring no young person would lose their life for want of swimming skills. As Principal of Melbourne High School, Langley fought for a swimming pool that would offer more than recreation. It would be a life-saving legacy.

Completed in 1960 and designed by renowned modernist Kevin Borland, the pool stood as a symbol of compassion, vision, and holistic education. The pool was replaced in 1992, but its legacy and purpose remain unchanged. Today we seek your support in honouring that legacy, by donating to help us replace the pool heater.

Empowering Every Student: Inclusive Swim Education at MHS

Since the 1960s, the MHS pool has taught thousands of students to swim, including many first-generation Australians for whom it was their first introduction to water safety.

Through programs like the Year 9 Outdoor Education water safety sessions, the school has used the pool not only to teach skills, but to foster confidence, courage, and community. It’s education at its most inclusive.

This quiet legacy has transformed the lives of many MHS students and members of our community. 

Lane of Champions: From School Championships to Olympic Games

The Melbourne High School pool has long been more than a place to learn to swim—it’s been a launching pad for champions.

Take Julian Tan (Class of 2001). He began as a novice swimmer, struggling with freestyle in Year 9. With persistence and the support of the MHS swim program, he went on to win multiple freestyle events for the school by Year 12. His story is one of quiet determination and local triumph—proof that the right environment can turn potential into achievement.

Then there’s Lachlan Edwards, whose journey began in the same pool. As swim captain and water polo leader, he helped secure MHS victories before heading to the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games as part of Australia’s national water polo team. His talent also took him to the University of Southern California, one of the top collegiate athletic programs in the US, and then into a professional career as an NFL punter.

These stories—one local, one global—are united by a single starting point: the MHS pool. Built on vision, care and opportunity, it continues to shape students into athletes, leaders and role models.

Today we seek your support in creating our next first-time swimmers and champions, by donating to help us replace the pool heater.

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Thank you to the MHS VCE Media Team for the videos and artwork below, with special thanks to:

Dillon Maltzis
Ivan Trinh
Michael Chandler
Shawn Lam
Josh Holtz
Wyn Hughes
Paul Morton
Sonya Mulholland
Nixx Hertzong
Ronin Chingshubam
Ryan Ng
Eugene Tu
Kriston Norris
George Karpathakis
Isaac Ho
Siddhu Potiuri
Brendan Liang
David Ngo
Khoi Tang

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A Century Through These Doors

A Century Through These Doors

Since 1927, the main entrance of Melbourne High School has stood as one of the school’s most recognisable and symbolic features. Facing north across the oval with a view toward the Melbourne skyline, the doors represent more than an architectural threshold—they mark a rite of passage for generations of students.

The entrance was designed by Evan Smith, a senior architect with the Public Works Department who contributed to several prominent interwar-era buildings in Victoria. His work blended functional civic design with classical motifs, evident in the MHS entrance’s formal symmetry, carved stone scrollwork, and use of locally forged iron fixtures. The doors themselves are crafted from Tasmanian Oak, selected for both its strength and aesthetic character.

For over 30,000 students, these doors were their first experience of Melbourne High. From the moment they stepped through them in Year 9 to the day they walked out as Year 12 graduates, the entrance bookended a period of profound growth and transformation.

"Walking up those stairs and through the MHS doors felt like entering a world where anything was possible."

Peter Singer, philosopher and alumnus

The doors have welcomed some of Australia’s most respected public figures—alumni such as philosopher Peter Singer, comedian and social commentator Nazeem Hussain, Nobel Prize–winning neurophysiologist Sir John Eccles, and former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans AC. For them, as for so many others, this entrance marked the beginning of something greater.

The symbolic importance of the doors has remained constant over the decades. That first walk up the stairs has long held opportunity for students and their families. The act of stepping inside signalled not only entry into a school, but into a shared legacy of aspiration, scholarship, and opportunity.

The school’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity is evident in its history of educating students from various cultural backgrounds. In the post-World War II era, Melbourne High School became a place of learning for many children of migrants and refugees who had fled war, famine, and persecution. 

The school’s dedication to supporting exceptional students from diverse backgrounds continues today, ensuring they thrive academically and socially.

Today, as Melbourne High approaches its centenary, these doors stand in need of restoration. Time and weather have taken their toll on the timberwork, stone surrounds, and iron features. While minor repairs have occurred over the decades, the upcoming restoration will be the most significant conservation effort to date.

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