Viewbank College

Viewbank College is a public secondary school located in the north eastern suburb of Viewbank, in Melbourne, Australia.

History
Viewbank College was founded on the site of Rosanna East High School in 1994, the result of a merger between it and Banyule High School.

The two original schools serviced the surrounding area, predominantly enrolling students situated in the City of Heidelberg (now known as the City of Banyule). Banyule High School commenced in 1961 and by 1970 its student population had swelled to over 900. As a result, Rosanna East High School was started in 1970 to reduce the pressure on Banyule High School. It began operating in the grounds of Rosanna Golf Links Primary School but the following year, with the completion of the construction of new buildings at the Warren Road site, the school moved to its permanent location in Viewbank. With decreasing enrolments in both schools, in 1993 talks were held in consideration of a merger. By January 1994, Viewbank College as a school had begun. On 6 November 1996, an official opening was conducted by the Honourable Richard McGarvie, the Governor of Victoria at the time.

The school continues to operate from the Warren Road site and retains ownership over the Banyule Theatre (previously part of Banyule High School) with the remaining land sold off for residential development. The school is predicted to have more than 2,000 students by 2022. The theatre is now used for teaching and performance.

In 2019, sketch Comedy group Aunty Donna filmed a 16-part webseries entitled Glennridge Secondary College at Viewbank College, with funding and support from Screen Australia. It was released on YouTube weekly from 20 February 2019.

Program
As well as offering students diverse learning challenges in the classroom, students have opportunities to develop and explore their talents through the Enhanced Acceleration Program, the debating Program, the music and drama programs and the extensive Sports Programs. Students are actively encouraged through the strong Student Leadership program to become involved in the greater life of the college.

The college encourages parent involvement through the College Council, Friends of Music, Friends of Viewbank and Friends of the Performing and Visual Arts.

Viewbank has an association with Narita Kokusai High School in Japan.

Performing Arts
In recent years Viewbank College has become renowned in the local area for their Musical Productions. Each year over 120 students are involved in all aspects of the shows, including but not limited to Cast, Stage Crew, Audio Crew, Lighting Crew, Art Crew, Orchestra, Makeup Crew and Front of House. The shows are generally "Big Broadway Musicals" attracting over 1400 ticket sales over 6 shows. Productions are held in July/August each year and were held at the college's Banyule Theatre until 2017.

In the 2015–16 State Budget, $11.5 million was allocated to the school to build a dedicated 400 seat Theatre and adjoining Performing Arts Facilities. Completion of the Arts Centre was in 2018. The project was managed by the Victorian School Building Authority. It now hosts the College Production each year as well as many more College events. The theater is also hired out regularly for external events.

Viewbank College also offers an extensive musical education program featuring many instruments and also voice lessons. The school has a variety of ensembles led by musical staff, participating in many performances arranged by the school and also state programs. The students of these ensembles are required to participate in weekly rehearsals.

These ensembles include 3 string orchestras ordered by skill (Junior Strings, Viewbank Strings and Chamber Strings, formally known as Junior Strings, Intermediate Strings and Senior Strings). In the strings program students would progress to a higher ensemble every two years, sooner if exceptional performance is displayed; There are 3 Jazz bands named after famous Jazz musicians (arranged by progression: Hancock Band, Fitzgerald Band and Ellington Band); 4 concert bands (arranged by progression: Junior Band, Intermediate Band, Concert Band and Symphonic Band); 2 guitar ensembles (Intermediate Guitar Band and Senior Guitar Band); 3 choirs (Junior Choir, Viewbank Voices and Chamber Choir); and various other notable ensembles, along with a collection of student-arranged bands typically with 3-5 musicians.

The instruments taught by the program covers a variety of instrument types like woodwind, string, percussion and brass, including: violin, viola, cello, double bass, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, electric guitar, drum set, keyboard, trumpet, saxophone (alto & tenor), trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, flute, clarinet, and oboe. As aforementioned, singing is also educated.

Some of the annually reoccurring musical performances/festivals include: Autumn Music Festival (school arrangement & all ensembles), Jazz Night (regional arrangement & only Jazz bands), Victorian Schools Music Festival (government arrangement & all ensembles, multiple times a year depending on ensemble), String Soiree (school arrangement & only string ensembles and players), and the Gala & Showcase Concerts (school arrangement & all ensembles).

Incidents
In 2007, two students, one from Macleod College and the other from Greensborough Secondary College, burnt down a section of the junior school lockers and were caught after investigation by the police.

Notable alumni
Notable alumni include Ben Mendelsohn, international actor, Anthony Carbines, local member of Victorian State Parliament for the Ivanhoe electorate, Broden Kelly and Tom Armstrong from Melbourne sketch Comedy group Aunty Donna and Michael Hurley, Australian Rules footballer for Essendon Football Club