Urrbrae Agricultural High School is a public high school in the Australian state of South Australia, with approximately 1,016 students. The school is located in the Adelaidesuburb of Netherby, about south-east of the Adelaide city centre. It is adjacent to the Waite Agricultural Research Institute of the University of Adelaide, the CSIROAgricultural Research facilities in the suburb of Urrbrae, and various other agricultural and horticultural facilities established by Peter Waite, the University of Adelaide, and the South Australian state government. The school is designated as a Special Interest School in Agriculture and the Environment, and is the only comprehensive special interest agricultural secondary school in South Australia. Its courses are strongly focused on agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, aquaculture, environmental aspects of the earth, and other environmental subjects. In those aspects, it awards certificates. Urrbrae also has a strong science and technology background, with extensive technology workshops, and many related courses available to students;. It also offers education programs for adults, and houses a TAFE campus. Urrbrae Agricultural High School has an application process for students in Year 7 who wish to attend Urrbrae in their secondary school years. Unlike most public schools, Urrbrae is not part of the zonal system, and does not necessarily accept students based on where they live; being the only comprehensive special interest agricultural secondary school in the State, it has students from all over the state. Students from country and distant areas often board locally, and many students travel long distances to school. The campus includes a 35 hectare farm, and year 10 Urrbrae students give tours to visiting students from other schools. Urrbrae also has a swimming pool, a rock climbing wall, grass tennis courts, asphalt tennis courts and playing fields. A large corner of the site has been turned into a wetland, which is open to other schools to visit..
History
The school was founded in 1913 through a bequest from Peter Waite,, as a school to teach agriculture to boys. In 1972 it enrolled its first two female students, and in 2002 it achieved its first year-level that was equally represented by both genders. The Urrbrae Old Scholars Association was established in 1934.
Buildings
Farm
The UAHS farm is a 35 hectare farm which has many enterprises, including:
Sheep
Cattle
Poultry
Aquaculture
Horses
Orchard
Bees
Alpacas
Marsupial Area
Goats
Vineyard
Olive trees
An extensive Wetland
Pigs
The Year 10, 11 and 12 students are involved in wine making, and with parental permission, are allowed to sample their own wine. Students are also able to make other produce, like butter and yoghurt, through Agriculture Studies courses. These include practical lessons during the week, where students are able to participate in hands-on activities in all the different enterprises at the school. Activities include grooming and caring for the animals, and making butter, olive oil, and dried fruit from the school orchard and vineyard. In Year 8, students undertake a "Home Project" where they care for an animal or a plant, and record their experiences. Students also make vegetable gardens, and are permitted to take home or sell the produce they grow. There are many lunch time clubs for students, with one for nearly every enterprise on the farm, including poultry, horses, plants and bee-keeping. Although club membership is voluntary, these clubs have high participation rates.
Uniform
;Females:
Dress – Green Urrbrae dress
Skirt – Green Urrbrae skirt
Shorts – Grey shorts
Trousers – Grey trousers or bone moleskins
Blouse – White with Urrbrae logo
Blazer/Jacket – Green Urrbrae jumper of various styles
Tights/Stockings/Pantyhose – Plain black or skin colour – no leggings