”’Brighton Secondary College”’ is a co-educational public secondary school for students in Years 7 to 12, located in Brighton East, within the [[City of Bayside]], Victoria, Australia. Established in 1955, the school was previously known as Brighton High School until 1988. Today, it has an enrolment of over 1,200 students.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Podbury |first1=Julie |title=Welcome to Brighton Secondary College. |url=http://www.brightonsc.vic.edu.au/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124022202/http://www.brightonsc.vic.edu.au/ |archivedate=24 November 2005 |accessdate=22 June 2015 |website=brightonsc.vic.edu.au}}</ref>
”’Brighton Secondary College”’ is a co-educational public secondary school for students in Years 7 to 12, located in Brighton East, within the [[City of Bayside]], Victoria, Australia. Established in 1955, the school was previously known as Brighton High School until 1988. Today, it has an enrolment of over 1,200 students.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Podbury |first1=Julie |title=Welcome to Brighton Secondary College. |url=http://www.brightonsc.vic.edu.au/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124022202/http://www.brightonsc.vic.edu.au/ |archivedate=24 November 2005 |accessdate=22 June 2015 |website=brightonsc.vic.edu.au}}</ref>
Brighton Secondary College features a blend of mid-century and contemporary architecture. The Da Vinci Centre, completed in the 2010s, exemplifies the school’s architectural renewal. Designed by Hayball Architects, it houses science, art, and technology facilities, and received the 2015 CEFPI Award for Most Outstanding New Individual Facility.
Brighton Secondary College features a blend of mid-century and contemporary architecture. The Da Vinci Centre, completed in the 2010s, exemplifies the school’s architectural renewal. Designed by Hayball Architects, it houses science, art, and technology facilities, and received the 2015 CEFPI Award for Most Outstanding New Individual Facility.
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State, secular co-educational school in Brighton East, Victoria, Australia
Brighton Secondary College is a co-educational public secondary school for students in Years 7 to 12, located in Brighton East, within the City of Bayside, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1955, the school was previously known as Brighton High School until 1988. Today, it has an enrolment of over 1,200 students.[1]
Brighton Secondary College features a blend of mid-century and contemporary architecture. The Da Vinci Centre, completed in the 2010s, exemplifies the school’s architectural renewal. Designed by Hayball Architects, it houses science, art, and technology facilities, and received the 2015 CEFPI Award for Most Outstanding New Individual Facility.[2][3]
The campus also includes a purpose-built VCE Centre for senior students. As part of its future vision, Brighton plans to construct a new Performing Arts Hub to serve both students and the wider Bayside community, with a focus on accessibility, sustainability, and inclusive design.
Leadership
This school became the first co-educational institution with more than a thousand students to be led by a woman. After the state removed gender restrictions, men began leading girls’ schools, but no woman had yet been appointed to head a large co-educational school. When the leadership position here became vacant, Molly Brennan challenged the initial decision to appoint a less qualified male candidate and was ultimately named head in 1970. Today, the library is named in her honor..[4]
Television
During the 2006–2007 school year, Brighton Secondary College served as the filming location for Chris Lilley‘s new television series Summer Heights High which concluded production on 2 February 2007. The show premiered on ABC on Wednesday, 5 September 2007, with students from the college appearing as extras.
Controversies
On 24 October 2008, staff and students were evacuated from the school grounds in the morning after a suspicious home made device was spotted on school property during muck up day activities from Year 12 students.[5] The device was suspected to be a home-made incendiary device.
In 2014, a former staff member was convicted of stealing approximately $40,000 from the school. The individual had allegedlyo misused a corporate credit card and taken funds from the school canteen to support a drug addiction.[6]
In 2019, Principal Richard Minack sparked controversy after using racial slurs during a school assembly held in response to the Christchurch mosque attacks. Addressing the student body, Minack referenced offensive language in an attempt to highlight the history and impact of racism. He later clarified his intent, stating, “I hope you understand that I used it to call out and criticise racism and bigotry.” Despite his explanation, the incident drew criticism from students, parents, and education officials, with concerns raised about the appropriateness of using such language in a school setting. The Department of Education acknowledged the issue and advised the principal to use more appropriate language in future communications.[7]
In 2020, Brighton Secondary College faced backlash after female Year 7 students were made to kneel during uniform checks to assess skirt length. Parents condemned the practice as inappropriate and humiliating. The school later issued an apology, stating the incident was not standard procedure and addressed the staff involved.[8]
Antisemitic bullying allegations
Brighton Secondary College was the subject of a Federal Court case following allegations of antisemitic bullying spanning several years. In 2020, a former student alleged that after enrolling in 2013, he experienced repeated verbal and physical abuse, including antisemitic slurs, assaults, and threats involving a knife. He claimed that despite reporting the incidents multiple times, the school failed to take action.
In 2022, five former students filed a lawsuit against the school, Principal Richard Minack, and two former teachers, alleging years of antisemitic bullying, discrimination, and negligence. The Federal Court found that the school had breached the Racial Discrimination Act and awarded $435,000 in damages. Following the ruling, Principal Richard Minack resigned in October 2023. Leisa Higgins served as acting principal during the transition.
In January 2025, Peter Langham was appointed principal. Langham, formerly principal of Monterey Secondary College, is known for his trauma-informed leadership and success in transforming school culture. Under his direction, Brighton Secondary College has prioritised respectful relationships, student voice, inclusive teaching practices, and community engagement. The school’s Annual Implementation Plan emphasises a safe and orderly learning environment, high-impact teaching strategies, and stronger support systems for student wellbeing. These reforms mark a significant effort to rebuild trust and foster a more inclusive and positive school culture.
Deputy Principal Casey Freeman supports the college’s strategic direction and wellbeing initiatives, while staff member Mr Danny Chalk serves on the College Council and contributes to regional leadership efforts. Together, the leadership team is working to rebuild trust and foster a more inclusive and positive school culture.
