Melbourne High School plans for students to undertake compulsory humanities subject in Year 11

Students from Melbourne High have started a petition against a plan to force them to take a compulsory humanities subject, saying it goes against the ethos of the school.

Melbourne High School has put forward a plan requiring senior students to undertake one humanities subject. Picture: David Geraghty

Some students from Victoria’s top selective high school have been left angered over a proposed change to their VCE studies which will force them to undertake a compulsory humanities subject.

The Herald Sun can reveal Melbourne High School has put forward a plan requiring senior students to undertake one humanities subject as part of their year 11 course selection.

The compulsory unit 1/2 subjects include history, geography, politics, philosophy, sociology, external language and music performance.

This is in addition to English, which is compulsory for all VCE students.

An email sent to families by the school’s principal Dr Tony Mordini on Monday said the change in subject offerings was to ensure that students were “best placed” for their future applications and well-equipped for work, study and community involvement.

But some students say the move undermines their freedom of choice and potential marks.

Dr Mordini told the Herald Sun said the next generation of future leaders, innovators and changemakers needed to be well-rounded individuals.

“I am collating the responses that went out to 4000 members of the community and will then conduct a hybrid meeting in the near future to address any questions as a result of this proposal,” he said.

Dr Tony Mordini says he has received positive feedback about the proposal. Picture: Mark Stewart

Dr Mordini said he has received “positive endorsement” from a number of staff, students and parents.

A change.org petition, which has almost 200 signatures, has urged the school not to enforce mandatory humanities subjects.

“The Melbourne High School Administration is planning on introducing a scheme that would effectively force all Year 11 students from next year onwards to complete at least one humanities, arts or LOTE subject 1/2, with commerce subjects, such as economics, legal studies and business management not being part of that group,” the petition said.

“This goes against the ethos of the school, as well as the aims and spirit of the VCE. It is imperative that the students, parents and staff voice their opposition to these proposed actions.

“This could include a letter to the administration, emails to the principal, or simply spreading the word about this issue. It is extremely important that the school community express their opposition to the administration’s proposed policy.”

Some students commented on the petition saying they should have “freedom” over what they learn.

“We should have our own say in our subjects,” one student wrote.

While another pupil said: “Whilst I believe humanities is an important subject, it should be optional rather than mandatory.”

In a Facebook group, dozens of families commented on the proposed change, with many parents divided on the issue.

“I think that’s an absolutely great idea. Establish an all rounder opportunity for boys,” one parent wrote.

“Personally not a fan – kids should be able to study what they want. The real issue is with the scaling system pushing kids to STEM,” another said.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Scotch College students would no longer do PE in year 12, spending up to 50 per cent less time learning Christian Education under a new learning model.

The timetable changes, which have led to unrest among some staff and parents, mean students spend more time on core subjects, such as maths, science and English, and less on non-academic areas.