Brisbane State High School

Brisbane State High School (BSHS or often commonly State High) is a partially selective, co-educational, state secondary school, located in South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is a member of the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland, and the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association. The school excels on the sporting field and in academic subjects with high Overall Position results. It was the first state secondary school established in Brisbane, as well as the first academic state high school to be founded in Queensland. The school employs a variety of selection criteria for prospective students, maintaining a quota for local area enrolments, however also using academic, sporting, cultural and artistic talents as means of determining the annual intake.[3][4][5]

This article is about the school in Brisbane. For the public high school in Pennsylvania, United States, see State College Area High School.

Brisbane State High School
Crest of Brisbane State High School
Location
South Brisbane
,
Queensland

Australia
Coordinates27°28′49″S 153°1′5″E
Information
TypePublic, selective, co-educational, secondary, day school
MottoLatin: Scientia est Potestas
(Knowledge is Power)
Established
  • 1913, 1921 (official)
  • 1913–1925 (known as The Normal School)
  • 1925–present (known as Brisbane State High School)
PrincipalWade Haynes[1]
Enrolment3,361 (7–12) (2020)[2]
CampusUrban (South Brisbane)
Colour(s)Cerise and navy blue         
Websitewww.statehigh.com.au

One of the school's buildings, H Block, was the former Brisbane South Girls and Infants School built in 1864 and is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.[6]

History
Pupils listening to the Anzac Day address, 23 April 1932

T. Max Hawkins, historian and author of "The Queensland Great Public Schools – A History", wrote of the origins of Brisbane State High School, that:

The school developed from the School of Arts in Ann Street, and later from the old Normal School which was built by convict labour on the site where the State Government Insurance building now stands...The year 1913 is generally taken as the start of the Brisbane State High School, a co-educational school which, by 1964, had expanded to accommodate 1310 students, 891 of them boys.[7][8][9]

Further light on the origins of the schools is shed in Philip Walker Davidson's work, "Great Public Schools : an investigation into G.P.S. secondary schooling in Queensland, its relationship with and the problem it poses architecture, and an appraisal of the factors governing the future establishment of such a school", where he wrote:

Headmasters of various metropolitan state schools were asked to nominate 76 boys and girls for admission to the new school, and a further 70 paying students made up the first year's enrolment. Classrooms were provided in the Technical College buildings, Ann Street, until 1914 when the school moved to lower George Street.

...in 1921 the school was to occupy the well known Normal School buildings on the corner of Adelaide and Edward Streets...At about this stage it was separated from the control of the Central Technical College and combined with the Junior High School which had been operating as a secondary department at the Normal School. The name Brisbane State High School was then first applied.[10]

Although the school's beginning is taken as having been 1913, it was relocated to its current campus next to Musgrave Park at South Brisbane in 1925.[11] The laying of the foundation stone of the "Red Brick Building", later designated A Block, took place in 1923 in the attendance of Queensland Education Minister John Huxham, and William Forgan Smith, then Queensland Minister for Public Works and later Premier.

Mr Isaac Waddle, the Brisbane State High School's first Principal, served for 24 years and devised the school's motto "Scientia est Potestas" (Knowledge is Power) whilst overseeing the establishment of the house system in the patriotic days of the Second World War.[12] Waddle's successor, Mr Barnes, served for scarcely a year before dying in office, and between 1947 and 1960 the post was held by a further three relatively short term Principals: Dr Watkin; Mr Copeman and Mr Cafferky.[12] During the ensuing "Lockie Years" the school underwent massive expansions, growing from 1091 students in 1961 to 2183 in 1967,[13] as well as consolidating its reputation as being highly competitive amongst the private school institutions of South-East Queensland.[13] The headmastership of David Sutton (1998–2008) witnessed a revival in ceremony and tradition coupled with continual academic improvement. For the 6 years from 2003–2008, then to 2012, the OP results consistently climbed, with 86% of students receiving an OP of 1–15 in 2008,[14] and nearly 95% of students in 2012 received an OP of 1–15.[15] Sutton's successor, Richard Morrison, reformed the selection process for academic-merit entrants, introduced the 'Aspire' program and led the re-branding of the school. Mr Wade Haynes, a former Acting Principal of the school, was his successor.

BSHS has been a member of the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland (GPS) since 1930,[16] and of the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA) since 1921.[16]

Principals

The following principals have led the school since it was opened:[17]

  • Mea. Bryden; 1913–1915[18]
  • Unspecified position from 1916–1919
  • Isaac Waddle; 1920–1945
  • J. A. Barnes; 1945–1946
  • Herbert G. Watkin; 1947–1951[19]
  • A. B. Copeman; 1952–1957
  • F. H. R. Cafferky; 1958–1960
  • George W. Lockie; 1961–1971
  • Raymond F. Fitzgerald; 1972–1981
  • Colin R. Mason; 1981–1997
  • David F. Sutton; 1998–2008
  • Richard C. Morrison; 2009–2011
  • Wade Haynes; 2011–present

Academics

Rankings and recent academic achievements

In the 2009 National Assessments Program in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), Brisbane State High School outperformed seven of the other eight member schools of the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland, and eight of the other nine schools in the QGSSSA. The rankings of the nation's top schools compiled by The Australian in May 2010 saw Brisbane State High as the only Queensland state school placed in the top 100.[20] The school consistently performs best for year twelve results of all the state schools in the Brisbane metropolitan area.[15] In the most recent 2017 results, a Queensland record of 59 students achieved an OP1 and another 66 an OP2, with 239 (55%) achieving an OP1–5 and 409 (95%) an OP1–15.[21]

In previous years, graduating students have consistently excelled. In 2012, 94.8% of students were within the 1–15 OP bands, and the school further excelled in 2013, with a record 41 OP1s, 85 OP1 equivalents with bonus ranks included. In 2015, 46 students achieved an OP1 and 51 an OP2, a total of 83 with entry ranks equivalent to an OP1 due to bonus ranks. 51% of students achieved an OP1–5 and 329 (93%) an OP1–15.[22][23] In 2016, 51 students achieved an OP1 and 49 an OP2, with 203 (46%) students achieving an OP1–5 and 401 (90%) an OP1–15.[24]

Extracurricular activities

GPS membership

Brisbane State High School joined the Great Public Schools' Association of Queensland in 1930, and consequently the school is able to enter competitions against other GPS schools in South East Queensland. A wide range of activities are offered in the GPS including, Australian Rules Football, athletics, basketball, chess, cricket, cross country, debating, rowing, rugby union, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball. Brisbane State High's Queensland Great Public Schools (GPS) premierships include:

GPS premierships
Activity Premiership years
Rugby 1947, 1964, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1984, 1992, 1993, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2016
Rowing GPS Premiership (Old Boys Cup)

1st VIII (O'Connor Cup) 1925, 1927, 1928, 1932, 1948

Swimming 1933, 1966, 1968, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Basketball 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016
Tennis 1959, 1972, 1973, 1984
Cross Country
Soccer 2005, 2006
Track and Field 1946, 1947, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
Cricket 1949, 1966, 1977, 1979, 1992, 1993, 2002
Volleyball

GPS sport

Rugby

In 2009, the BSHS first XV rugby union team went undefeated in the season scoring a total of 405 points for (50.63 per game) and conceding a total of 85 points against (10.63 per game) from 8 season game.[25] The team broke the GPS record when the school beat Brisbane Grammar School 103-0. The match was soon abandoned when the referee called for the use of the 'surrender rule' with 7 minutes still permitted to play. This First XV has been regarded by many as the best GPS rugby team in Australia from this decade.[26] Two other players are representing the Australian A School boys team.[26] This equalled the feats of the class of 2007, when two players represented the Australian schoolboys Rugby Union team while two others represented Australia A. Another two boys represented the Australian schoolboys rugby league team.

As of 2016 Brisbane State High School has the second most Australian Schoolboy Rugby caps in Queensland at 60.

QGSSSA sport

A wide range of sporting and other similar activities are offered Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools' Sports Association competitions, including Australian Rules Football, athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cross country, rowing, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, rhythmic gymnastics, field hockey, netball, softball, touch football, waterpolo, and fencing.[27]

QGSSSA premierships
Activity Premiership years
Athletics 19__ 1967 1968 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1991 1993 1994 2000 2001 2012 2014 2015 (30 different years up to 2018)
Badminton 2001 2002 2003 2009 2010 2015 2016 (7 different years up to 2018)
Basketball 1993 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 (12 different years up to 2018)
Cricket 1990 2000 2003 2004 2005 2007 2009 2012 2014 2015 (10 different years up 2018)
Cross Country 199_, 2000 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 (8 different years up to 2019)
Gymnastics (Artistic) (7 years up to 2018)
Gymnastics (Rhythmic) 2019 (10 years up to 2019)
Hockey 1922 1934 1935 1937 1938 1940 1941 1964 1965 1966 1968 1969 1970 1971 1975 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1983 1984 1989 1991 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2004 2005 2008 2009 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 (41 different years up to 2019)
Netball 1931 1932 1935 1938 1939 1941 1943 1944 1960 1961 1963 1964 1965 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1973 1974 1975 1976 1978 1980 1983 1984 1989 1991 1995 2012 2013 2017 (32 different years up to 2018)
Soccer (Football) 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2015 2017 (13 different years up to 2018)
Softball 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1977 1978 1979 1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1994 1995 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 2018 (33 different years up to 2018)
Swimming 1923 1962 1963 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1990 1991 1992 1993 1995 (*up to 2016)
Tennis 1969 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1985 1999 2004 2014 (14 different years up to 2018)
Touch Football 2005 2006 2009 2010 2013 2014 2017 2018 (8 different years up to 2018)
Volleyball 1974 1984 1985 1994 2011 2013 2016 2019 (8 different years up to 2019)

Cultural

Performing arts

There are numerous strings orchestras in the school including the River, Southbank, Merivale, Cordelia and Symphony Orchestras. There are also multiple bands – the Wind Ensemble, Wind Band, Concert Band, Concert Winds, Wind Orchestra, and Symphonic Band. In addition to these, students can participate in many chamber groups and ensembles including Percussion Ensembles 1 and 2, Stage Band, Big Band, Flute Ensembles, Clarinet Ensembles, and Brass Ensembles.[28] The Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra and Big Band also attend annual band camps with various workshops, sectionals and rehearsals. The Junior and Senior Dance Troupes are also offered. In 2016, the Senior Dance Troupe won the School Troupe National Champions title at the 2016 DanceLife Unite National Finals in Sydney. Regular school musicals and drama nights provide the opportunity for drama students to showcase their talents. The school consistently performs exceedingly well in these fields, with the Symphony Orchestra coming first in Australia in Fanfare 2005 held in Melbourne, and first in Queensland in 2007. In 2010, this particular ensemble was awarded a platinum award for the fifth year in a row at Musicfest. In 2012, the Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Meg Robson, and the Symphonic Band, conducted by Brad Ruben, were two out of five state finalists in the statewide Fanfare competition. The Symphonic Band then went out to win the state title.

Campus

The main campus
A shot of the Upper Campus from the newly built I Block

Two main campuses possessing a variety of architectural styles dominate the school's layout. The Upper Campus is the site of the school's original building and central administrative block constructed in 1920s brick architecture. The upper quadrangle extends out from this building with the library and the two storey computer block forming frontal wings. In addition, the Upper Campus houses the mathematics rooms, the science laboratories, the manual arts complex, sports facility, tennis courts and oval. An overpass walkway connects the Upper and Lower Campuses. H Block in the Lower Campus was constructed in 1864 as part of the South Brisbane Primary School and is a heritage-listed school building.[6][29] J Block is predominantly used by the humanities department and the languages department, and M Block serves as a secondary administrative block, whilst the neighbouring K Block (demolished October 2009) was home to the performing arts. The space upon which it once stood is in the process of being converted into a formal entrance and car park. In 2008/09, massive redevelopment projects totaling $20.5 million saw the performing arts block moved to a new and larger facility at the other end of the Lower Campus.[30] The gym within the sports complex is planned to be redeveloped within the next 4 years.

Fursden Road playing fields

Brisbane State High maintains additional sporting facilities, with theirs located at Carina, about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from the Brisbane CBD. 5 playing fields as well as change rooms and a canteen comprise the campus. Cricket, rugby and football are large users of the facilities, with games taking place on weekends and on various afternoons. A master plan has been put forward for a large development of Fursden Road which would include a new grandstand. It is believed that work on the development will commence in the next few years.

West End rowing sheds

The school maintains rowing sheds on the West End Reach of the Brisbane River, within close proximity of the rowing sheds of other GPS and BSRA (Brisbane SchoolGirls Rowing Association) member schools. Rowing boats, dingies and other necessary equipment are stored at the sheds and it is on that and other reaches of the river that training for the annual Head of the River rowing competition takes place.

House structure

Rather than being named after past students, the Houses are named in honour of army generals from the First World War.

  • Allenby House – Blue – Named after Viscount Edmund Allenby (1861–1936). British field marshal notable for commanding the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in the conquest of Palestine and Syria during the First World War.[31]
  • Birdwood House – Red – Named after Field Marshal William Riddell Birdwood (1865–1951). British soldier who served in the Boer War and was known later on for providing overall command of the "Australian and New Zealand Army Corps" (ANZAC) throughout the battles of the Gallipoli Peninsula in the First World War.[32]
  • Glasgow House – Gold – Named after Major-General Sir William Glasgow (1876–1955), a senior Australian officer at Gallipoli in 1915 who went on to command the First A.I.F Division with distinction in battles on the Somme as well as the final offensive of August 1918.[33]
  • Monash House – Green – Named after General Sir John Monash (1865–1931). Served in the Gallipoli Campaign and later on in Flanders, commanding Australian forces at Messines Ridge, Passchendaele and in the battles of the Hindenburg Line.[34]

School Council

Brisbane State High School has a School Council by reason of it being an Independent Public School, a class of school existing in Queensland. The Council monitors the school's progress in the implementation of its policies and assists the Principal in setting the school's strategic direction. Its members include representatives of the teaching staff, students, and the parents of students.[35][36]

Past Students' Association

The Brisbane State High School Past Students' Association was formed in 1921, originally in two discrete entities as the Old Boys' and Old Girls' Associations.[37] It now operates as an amalgamated body. The association's newsletter, Amicus, is mailed four times annually to all members. Contributions to projects geared towards promoting the tradition and spirit of the school are some of its primary functions.[37] The current patron of the association is the school's eleventh principal, Mr Wade Haynes.

School museum

Founded in 1996 as a gift from that year's departing seniors, the museum contains documents, photographs and other memorabilia charting the school from its inception to its recent past. School badges and blazers from the 1920s and 1930s as well as originals of every school magazine are housed in the museum.[38]

Notable alumni
Main article: List of alumni of Brisbane State High School

See also

References
  1. "School Directory". Brisbane State High School. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  2. "Enrolments". Brisbane State High School. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  3. "Brisbane State High School – Year 8 Enrolment". 25 December 2004. Archived from the original on 25 December 2004. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  4. "Brisbane State High School, South Brisbane". house.ksou.cn. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  5. "2013 Top Public High Schools in Brisbane". bettereducation.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  6. "Brisbane State High School, Block H (entry 601222)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  7. Hawkins, T. Max (1965), The Queensland great public schools : a history, Jacaranda Press, p. 231, archived from the original on 30 October 2016, retrieved 30 October 2016
  8. "Brisbane State High – Media Success". ricoh.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  9. "brisbane state high school". pdt.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  10. Davidson, Philip Walker (1964), Great Public Schools : an investigation into G.P.S. secondary schooling in Queensland, its relationship with and the problem it poses architecture, and an appraisal of the factors governing the future establishment of such a school, University of Queensland, pp. 62–63, retrieved 30 October 2016
  11. State High in the 20s Archived 30 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  12. Principals Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Honour, Vic. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016 – via Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  14. Calligeros, Marissa. "Public vs private: school report card". Archived from the original on 5 October 2009.
  15. "State high schools have surged ahead in OP stakes with students outperforming counterparts at private schools". Archived from the original on 29 January 2013.
  16. Brisbane State High School Archived 16 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  17. Principals of Brisbane State High School Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  18. Hawkins, T. Max (1965). The Queensland Great Public Schools – A History. Jacaranda Press. p. 232.
  19. Swan, Geoffrey. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016 – via Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  20. "Top 100 High Schools". The Australian. 1 May 2010.
  21. Schoolzine. "Brisbane State High School eNewsletter". Brisbane State High School eNewsletter. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  22. "2015 School Annual Report" (PDF). Brisbane State High School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  23. Schoolzine. "Brisbane State High School eNewsletter". Brisbane State High School eNewsletter. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  24. Schoolzine. "Brisbane State High School eNewsletter". Brisbane State High School eNewsletter. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  25. "State High take premiers". Archived from the original on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  26. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Queensland claim fourth straight Australian Schools Championship and dominate Australian Schools squad
  27. Activities Archived 30 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  28. Brisbane State High School Magazine 2009 Performing Arts
  29. "SOUTH BRISBANE PRIMARY SCHOOL". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 16 February 1865. p. 5. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  30. Brisbane State High School Magazine 2009 Redevelopment
  31. "First World War.com – Who's Who – Sir Edmund Allenby". Archived from the original on 19 December 2009.
  32. "Field Marshal William Riddell Birdwood – Australian War Memorial". Archived from the original on 12 November 2009.
  33. Harry, Ralph. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016 – via Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  34. Serle, Geoffrey. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012 – via Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  35. "Independent Public Schools". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  36. "Independent Public Schools for 2013". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  37. Archived 30 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  38. Museum Archived 30 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
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