Principals Welcome
Welcome to Underdale High School
Dear Parent/Carer,
It is a privilege to be Principal at Underdale High School, a diverse, thriving, and inclusive community that provides conditions for deep learning for all students in all areas of the Australian Curriculum and the SACE. Our learning environments challenge students to be independent thinkers, question from a range of perspectives, problem solve, and develop self-efficacy. We highly value learning partnerships that empower young people to take initiative, build healthy relationships, receive mentorship, set learning goals, and establish future connections for diverse career pathways. We have high expectations of all our students; and our qualified staff encourage students to think critically and creatively, respond to quality feedback, and achieve academic success. Our experienced year 7 teachers are very well prepared for the school year.
Our school is on a strong trajectory of learning improvement, and we focus on high-impact teaching and learning strategies. We have 100% SACE completion and our Year 12 results include a growing list of Merits, and A and B grades. Supporting our academic programs, we also offer specialist programs with selective entry for students in our Football (Soccer) Academy and have a state-of-the-art Automotive Trade Training Centre, offering VET Automotive Program into an Industrial Pathway – “Automotive, Retail, Service and Repair”. This year, we have opened a high-tech Cybersecurity centre, offering a Certificate III in IT with a focus on Cybersecurity to all Y10, 11 and 12 students.
At Underdale, we consider learner agency to be a significant driver for developing effective learners. We are a community where every young person is encouraged to contribute, develop healthy relationships, have a say in their learning and thrive in an environment that fosters their needs and interests, knowing that diversity of languages and cultures are recognised and supported. Students also have many opportunities to be involved in co-curricular activities, including sports teams, school clubs, Arts evenings, state competitions, science and technology activities, outdoor pursuits, and exhibitions of learning. Student Voice and Leadership opportunities are encouraged with over 70 student leaders in our school from year 7 to 12.
We are relentless in our commitment to our young people, creating an environment where they are prepared for their future and a life of their choosing. Continuous improvement is part of our core beliefs and why we welcome and value, staff, student, parent and community feedback. We extend you a warm welcome to our community.
Principal
Mary-Lou Michael