School Song - Sheet Music
Brief Timeline of events
1918 - a permanent tuck shop was set up to raise money for school funds. Third year girls served, first years washed up and a morning tea tray was even provided to staff.
1918 – sports were tennis and lifesaving and the first athletics carnival was held. Many of the competitive sports were difficult for years because of the distance to other high schools.
1920 - a telephone was installed and also a gas supply for the science rooms.
1922 - the first school magazine ‘Gleam' was published with the lighthouse as it's inspiration.
1922 - a High school Association (forerunner to P&C) was set up.
1928 - an Assembly Hall was built.
1929 - the school dux Jack Somerville topped the state in physics, and eventually became Professor of physics at University of New England
1930 - 470 students were enrolled due to the increase in families moving to the district to work at the steelworks. Pupils came from as far away as Nowra, so there were about 30 boarding in town.
1935 - Two wooden portables were installed to cater for the larger numbers as they couldn't afford new buildings.
1935 – Although the school originally had a library built, it had always been used as a classroom, but in 1935 a room was set aside and freshly painted for the new library.
1937 - the first music teacher started.
During the war years - much of the school was prepared for possible bombing raids, like blackout blinds. Some teachers also went off to war.
1944 - enrolment was up to 681.
1945 - a school branch of the Army cadets was formed with 86 boys enlisted.
1954 - the girl captain Margaret Buttell gave the welcoming speech to Queen Elizabeth on behalf of all the pupils in the area.
1955 - The first annual school ball was held.
Post war era - Mrs Brissenden was know for her wonderful musicals and choir performances in the post war decade.
1956 - August 10 was the official opening of the new school in Lysaght Street, Fairy Meadow. Opened by Hon. R.J. Heffron, Minister for Education.
1957 - Wollongong High School moved to Lysaght street, Fairy Meadow. The new building is the older part of the current A block, consisting of 14 classrooms, 2 science laboratories, 2 science see rooms (now A9 & A21), a library (now the staff common room), a music room, and a combined hall-gymnasium. There was also a separate home science unit which was later demolished.
Late fifties - The choir frequently won the Wollongong eisteddfod, and appeared in the Sydney eisteddfods and on the ABC radio.
1956 - the school play "The Skin of our Teeth" won first prize in the 1956 School Drama Festival.
1962 - The shared Assembly hall was built.
1962 - an official opening of the new front gates as a memorial to the late Frank Buckley and Reg Rowley, popular personalities at the school. Mr Rowley was the District Guidance Officer, and Mr Buckley was a Mathematics Master and Deputy.
1964 - an additional classroom wing was built at the end of A block. It is now the Art and Music wing.
1964 - The school had the delivery of their first black and white TV.
1966 - The Jubilee fountain was installed.
1966 – The Golden Jubilee was celebrated (50 years).
1967, 1968, 1969 - The beautiful gardens won first prize in the Herald Garden competition.
1967 - the first photocopier arrived.
1970 - The B block was built which included a canteen, four science laboratories and various classrooms; Cadet Corps disbanded; Principal Mr Tom Gardiner (1970-1974)
1971 - Hair has flourished, even some boy prefects have shoulder length hair and one had grown a moustache; Visit by Governor General Sir Paul Hasluck; Production: The Crucible.
1972 - Opening of J.E. Lenehan Wing by Hon E.A. Willis MLA; Leo Club Established.
1973 - Night of Absurd Theatre
1975 - Principal – Mr Rex Cook.
1976 - Change from Form 1 to 6, to Years 7 to 12 (State wide)
1977 - Musical Production “Salad Days’
1978 - Garage constructed for Driver Education and Mechanics. A car was provided by Boyded Holden – a Holden Gemini sedan. Ties no longer compulsory in Summer uniform. Last year of being a selective High School.
1979 - The first comprehensive intake of students. Purchased a school grand piano (Jurgen Music Shop)
1982 - Mr Phillip Price was appointed as Religious Education teacher (a rare event in NSW schools).
1982-1983 - New double storey building D housing the Library and Home Science facilities.
1983 - Musical highlight – “The Sentimental Bloke”. A new exchange program with new Zealand was started.
1984 - 1989 - Mr Doug Quiggin was the Principal from Term 2 1984. During this time the school ceased the usage of the cane as a punishment for boys. The school entered its first team in the Mock Trial competition.
1984 - 1987 - 2000 trees were planted as part of a greening program.
1985 - 3 HSC students came within the top 1% of the state. Last Gleam was published.
1986 - Worst case of vandalism, most lower windows were smashed and a fire started. Musical production was “the Wizard of OZ’. Climax of this year was the celebration of our 70th birthday.
1988 - A concrete games court for PE was constructed at the edge of the sports fields.
1989 - After 1989 the school ceased to elect prefects instead encouraging an Student Representative Council.
1990 - Principal – Kevin Riolo.
1991 - Celebrated the school’s 75th Anniversary.
1993 - School became a Performing Arts High School
