Perth Modern School

About

Perth Modern School (colloquially known as Perth Mod or Mod) is a public co-educational academically selective high school, located in Subiaco, an inner city suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Perth Modern is Western Australia's only fully academically selective public school. Established in 1911, the school is both the oldest public high school and the oldest co-educational high school in Western Australia (WA).

Perth Modern School was the first government high school in WA. Although funds were allocated to build the school in 1907, the west building and main hall contract was not tendered until 1909 due to debate continuing for some time.

The school opened in 1911 with 226 students enrolled. The school charged a fee of £6 a year. Students were prepared for entry to the University of Western Australia, which opened in 1913. Demand for places at the school was high and students came from all over WA. In 1912, the school began offering scholarships designed to encourage students to attend regardless of their financial situations.

Cecil Andrews, Inspector General of Schools, was responsible for naming the school and directing its school curriculum.

When it opened, Perth Modern School introduced three concepts into WA education:

- No corporal punishment, detention, or arbitrary/authoritative punishment

- The teaching of modern languages (such as French), and rejection of Classical studies as the core of the curriculum Prior to Perth Modern School, the only high schools in WA were eight independent schools. These schools were sectarian, unisex, high fee paying schools, and only three catered for girls.

Local-intake school and music scholarships

In 1958 Perth Modern School became a local-intake school, with no academic entrance requirements and accepting primarily students who lived nearby. In 1968 music became a focus of the school, with the first music scholarships awarded; the last intake of students on a music scholarship occurred in 2006. By 1970, the school orchestra was formed and the Joseph Parsons Memorial Library opened. A home for English as a second language was opened in the former Thomas Street Primary School located on the school grounds, and was run by Perth Modern School. [ clarification needed ]

In 2005, a return to academic selection was announced so as to better serve the needs of WA's gifted students. Perth Modern School began to take in students on the basis of academic selection in 2007 for years 8, 10 and 11. By 2011 (the centenary of the school's opening) all students had been selected through the Gifted and Talented Program. The gifted program in WA is based on Francois Gagne's Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent.

Perth Modern School was the first government high school in WA. Although funds were allocated to build the school in 1907, the west building and main hall contract was not tendered until 1909 due to debate continuing for some time.

The school opened in 1911 with 226 students enrolled. The school charged a fee of £6 a year. Students were prepared for entry to the University of Western Australia, which opened in 1913. Demand for places at the school was high and students came from all over WA. In 1912, the school began offering scholarships designed to encourage students to attend regardless of their financial situations.

Cecil Andrews, Inspector General of Schools, was responsible for naming the school and directing its school curriculum.

When it opened, Perth Modern School introduced three concepts into WA education:

- No corporal punishment, detention, or arbitrary/authoritative punishment

- The teaching of modern languages (such as French), and rejection of Classical studies as the core of the curriculum Prior to Perth Modern School, the only high schools in WA were eight independent schools. These schools were sectarian, unisex, high fee paying schools, and only three catered for girls.

When it opened, Perth Modern School introduced three concepts into WA education:

- No corporal punishment, detention, or arbitrary/authoritative punishment

- The teaching of modern languages (such as French), and rejection of Classical studies as the core of the curriculum Prior to Perth Modern School, the only high schools in WA were eight independent schools. These schools were sectarian, unisex, high fee paying schools, and only three catered for girls.

In 1958 Perth Modern School became a local-intake school, with no academic entrance requirements and accepting primarily students who lived nearby. In 1968 music became a focus of the school, with the first music scholarships awarded; the last intake of students on a music scholarship occurred in 2006. By 1970, the school orchestra was formed and the Joseph Parsons Memorial Library opened. A home for English as a second language was opened in the former Thomas Street Primary School located on the school grounds, and was run by Perth Modern School. [ clarification needed ]