UHS Overcrowded? The Problem and Solution.

An Investigative Journalism Piece by Jaslyn Potter

Many students at University High School are worried about overcrowding at the school. Between congested hallways, tightly packed locker bays and an assembly hall that can only fit a third of the school, it is easy to see why many students think that UHS is overcrowded. 

Hallway traffic jams that delay students on their way to class and the lack of a specialised room (such as a computer room, textiles room or an art room) could impede students’ learning. Is the situation really so worrying?

University High School (UHS) has a current student population of 1450. However, the estimated capacity of the school grounds by the Australian Education Department is 1550 students (including The Elizabeth Blackburn School of Sciences). However, even at this current student count, some teachers, students and coordinators have demonstrated their worry.

In 2018, UHS is going to have an expanded zone for their intake of students. The current intake of year 7s has been 200 students (8 classes) since 2015. Next year the intake will be 250 students (10 classes). Previously the intake was as low as 150 students (6 classes) . This shows the history of the increased intake over the years. Generally, the method of accepting students goes through four categories. Students that fit into these can be accepted, with priority in order of: First applicants that are in the zone, second applicants whose siblings already attend UHS, third curriculum based applications (such as the accelerated program) and fourth applicants outside of the zone that does not fit into any of the previous categories. The main concern many have is that the applicants from the expanded zone will fill all 250 spaces. If this is the case, there will could be a major cut back to the accelerated program. This would cut interest for many students outside of the zone to come to UHS for this accelerated curriculum. Which means less diversity, because majority of UHS students come from 3 major primary schools. Results of whether this will be the case will not be clear until after 2018 applications have been sorted (in October 2017)

There have been some consideration as to what measures will be taken to deal with the increase of students. Such as the Master Plan, the addition of a fourth subschool and administrative changes. The fourth subschool has already been introduced at the start of term one (2017). This creation of Triggs was designed to make the classes more manageable for sub-school coordinators, which it seems to have been successful in.

The largest changes will be the renovations of the Master Plan. The four steps of the Master Plan are: a sports stadium, a new library, a Renaissance Centre and a new VCE area. The sports stadium will be placed near the oval. The new library will be in the location of the existing basketball court. The Renaissance Centre will be in the area of the current library. This center will be a specialised building for the Galileo program, literature/language, philosophy and all humanities subjects as well as featuring hub areas for students. The predicted location on the new and improved VCE area is not confirmed although it is planned to be on a ground level to be more accessible for year 12 students. Another plan is to shift some timetabling to make student's classes closer together, which should cut hallway congestion (a common concern surrounding this topic).

In conclusion, University High School is not yet overcrowded but will likely become so if further measures are not taken to accommodate for greater numbers of students. Logistically UHS is not overcrowded but many students, teachers and sub school coordinators feel that it is too cramped and does not allow for enough flexibility if rooms are not available (room changes, maintenance).The addition of the new subschool, Triggs, is a step in the right direction. If the student population continues increasing (as is expected) the Master Plan and new facilities should provide for it. Moreover, University High School and it's students should not be concerned by the possible overcrowding due to the solutions now and in the future.