Co-Curricular

It’s important that each student feels they have an opportunity to explore their interests and passions outside of the classroom. We believe that a generous co-curricular program can be vital in motivating and stimulating our students to want to learn. We facilitate a vast array of extracurricular activities throughout the year to enhance and enrich learning.  These programs complement our formal curriculum and are integral to the growth of our learners and the development of their sense of self.

Year 9 Camps at Bonnie Doon and Kilcunda

Music and Performing Arts

Students have the opportunity to express and explore their creative passions through various extracurricular engagements at Upwey High School.

Instrumental Music Program

At Upwey, we are fortunate to boast a highly experienced music department, well-resourced with practice and rehearsal spaces, and a newly built recording studio. Our dedicated music teachers offer students weekly lessons, alongside ensemble rehearsals and performance opportunities. We have an exciting and vibrant program that students love to be involved in.

Learning an instrument and playing music with others has huge benefits for young students;  connecting with other music students, confidence building, cultural expression and identity, as well as enhanced independent learning. Weekly instrumental lessons are scheduled on a rotating timetable and typically in groups of 2-4 students (VCE students have one-on-one lessons). Our diverse program offer tuition on piano, guitar, bass, percussion, brass, woodwing and strings.

Ensembles

Our music department runs several ensembles throughout the academic year. Students beginning their learning are assigned to junior ensembles with others at a similar level, and then progress to more senior groups, eventually joining the VCE and/or VET music program. Here they are supported to run their own ensembles, mentored by their instrumental and classroom teachers.

Ensembles run regularly throughout the term and welcome all students learning an instrument to learn, perform and bond with fellow musicians. A multitude of performance opportunities are offered throughout the year, including schoolwide concerts, VCE performance nights, music tours of local primary schools, and school-based performances. 

School Production

The school production is an incredibly welcoming program encouraging students from both lower and later years with interests in acting, dancing, singing, technical production (lights and sound), make-up, costume, and set design to contribute. Our annual production has created a highly collaborative culture since its introduction to the school’s program in 1955. It is proudly supported by the parents and friends of the Performing Arts Support Group, which includes ex-students who work as professionals in the industry and offer our students valuable support and mentoring. Since 2017 productions have been written in-house by the Head of Performing Arts, Ric Dooley and this inspires creative input from all involved. Students are currently working on the 2024 production; Flo The Cleaning Lady and her best friend Eric (at least I think that’s his name) save the world. Past productions include:

• Rock of Ages (2026)
• Shoniqua, Loquitua, LaMaybelle… and Jill (2023)
• Up in Lights (2022)
• Normal (2019)

Clubs and Student Groups

As well as our more formal student activities we also have a growing number of student clubs. These spaces support our students in finding their place at Upwey by meeting like-minded peers who share the same passions and interests. Current clubs meeting regularly include:

• VCE English/Literature Support Club
• Mindfulness Monday (Term 2 & 3)
• Chess Club
• Wellbeing Wednesday (Term 1 & 4)
• Graphic Art Doodle Club
• Reading and Chill Music Club
• Year 9 and Middle School Leaders Club
• Just Cars Club
• Video Games Club
• Airplane Making Club