Randwick Boys High School
Encyclopedia
Randwick Boys' High School, (abbreviation RBHS) is a school located in Randwick
, New South Wales
, Australia
, between Rainbow and Avoca Streets. It is a boys high school
operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training
with students from years 7 to 12. The school was established in 1944 as a Junior High School, gaining full High School status in 1949, while the history of the school can be traced back to 1883 with the establishment of Randwick Public School. Many of its students have gone on to notable success, some holding high public office.
From that time it grew steadily and frequent building additions were made, transforming the original construction to the present school now occupied by Randwick Primary and Infants School and the Randwick North High School
. One of the most notable Headmaters during this period was Alfred Godwin Alanson, who was Headmaster from 1907 to 1928. During his tenure, the school's reputation enabled it be uprgraded to Randwick Superior Public School in 1913, providing a commercial secondary course, and then to an Intermediate High School in 1920.
Alanson's successor from 1929, E. Nettleship, put forward the idea in 1930 that Randwick Intermediate should be made into a full five year High School. The first version of the school badge was designed in this year. The School motto "Labore et Honore" (Work and Honour) is credited to have been devised by a Latin/English teacher, Harry Kresner, around 1948. The Headmaster from 1941, F. Purnell, led the push that resulted in the school being further upgrading to the independent Randwick Boys Junior High School in 1944. This later led to the establishment of a full High School in 1949, thus giving Randwick equal status with all other full High Schools in New South Wales. Purnell, thus became the first Headmaster of Randwick Boys High School.
By the early 1950's there were calls to relocate the School to a new site recently obtained by the Department of Education, on the corner of Rainbow and Avoca Streets. A few temporary buildings were being erected at this time. Norman Taylor, who had become Headmaster in 1952, led the move of the school, with 1956 seeing the first year of full occupation by students. The school was officially opened on 11 March 1959, by Robert Heffron
, then the NSW Minister for Education, including the dedication of The W.M. Gollan Assembly Hall after the former Minister and long-serving Member for Randwick, William Gollan
, who had assisted in the process leading to the establishment of Randwick Boys, and the R.J. Heffron Library.
In 1962 the Waratah Shield
, the state knockout competition for Rugby, was introduced and was won by Radnwick in its first year, 1975, 1978 and 1982. The Cadet unit
was also reformed in 1963, only to be disbanded again in the mid-1970s following the end of Commonwealth funding for cadet units. Due to the implementation of the Wyndham Scheme
from 1962 to 1968, which created an extra year at school, overcrowding became a major problem and a new building scheme was intitiated to deal with this problem. As a result, several new buildings and a library was completed, which was opened on 19 August 1976 by the Member for Coogee, Michael Cleary. Since the 1990s, Randwick Boys has participated in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
jointly with its sister school, Randwick Girls' High School
. Many places have been gained by the combined team, first reaching the finals in 1995, being a regular finalist since that time and winning the Premier Division in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007.
Randwick, New South Wales
Randwick is a suburb in south-eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Randwick is located 6 kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Randwick...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, between Rainbow and Avoca Streets. It is a boys high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training
New South Wales Department of Education and Training
The New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, a department of the Government of New South Wales, is responsibile for primary schools, secondary schools and Technical and Further Education colleges...
with students from years 7 to 12. The school was established in 1944 as a Junior High School, gaining full High School status in 1949, while the history of the school can be traced back to 1883 with the establishment of Randwick Public School. Many of its students have gone on to notable success, some holding high public office.
History and campus
The history of Randwick Boys dates back to 1883, when Randwick Public School was established by the NSW Government. The school, to accommodate 200 students, was built on land at the top of Avoca Street, Randwick, with Mr. E.M. Grant as the first Headmaster.From that time it grew steadily and frequent building additions were made, transforming the original construction to the present school now occupied by Randwick Primary and Infants School and the Randwick North High School
Randwick North High School
Randwick North High School was an Australian co-educational high school which operated from 1966 to 2001 in the suburb of Randwick, New South Wales. The site is now home to the Open High School Sydney.-History:...
. One of the most notable Headmaters during this period was Alfred Godwin Alanson, who was Headmaster from 1907 to 1928. During his tenure, the school's reputation enabled it be uprgraded to Randwick Superior Public School in 1913, providing a commercial secondary course, and then to an Intermediate High School in 1920.
Alanson's successor from 1929, E. Nettleship, put forward the idea in 1930 that Randwick Intermediate should be made into a full five year High School. The first version of the school badge was designed in this year. The School motto "Labore et Honore" (Work and Honour) is credited to have been devised by a Latin/English teacher, Harry Kresner, around 1948. The Headmaster from 1941, F. Purnell, led the push that resulted in the school being further upgrading to the independent Randwick Boys Junior High School in 1944. This later led to the establishment of a full High School in 1949, thus giving Randwick equal status with all other full High Schools in New South Wales. Purnell, thus became the first Headmaster of Randwick Boys High School.
By the early 1950's there were calls to relocate the School to a new site recently obtained by the Department of Education, on the corner of Rainbow and Avoca Streets. A few temporary buildings were being erected at this time. Norman Taylor, who had become Headmaster in 1952, led the move of the school, with 1956 seeing the first year of full occupation by students. The school was officially opened on 11 March 1959, by Robert Heffron
Robert Heffron
Robert James "Bob" Heffron was one of the longest-serving New South Wales state parliamentarians. He was the Australian Labor Party Premier of New South Wales from 28 October 1959, to 30 April 1964.-Early years:...
, then the NSW Minister for Education, including the dedication of The W.M. Gollan Assembly Hall after the former Minister and long-serving Member for Randwick, William Gollan
William Gollan
The Hon. William McCulloch Gollan was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 until 1962 . He was a member of the Australian Labor Party. He held numerous ministerial positions between 1953 and 1959.Gollan was born in Woodburn, New South Wales...
, who had assisted in the process leading to the establishment of Randwick Boys, and the R.J. Heffron Library.
In 1962 the Waratah Shield
Waratah Shield
The Waratah Shield is a rugby union knock-out competition for high school teams from New South Wales, Australia. First contested in 1963, it is organised by New South Wales Rugby Union in conjunction with NSW School’s Rugby Union and NSW Combined High Schools and attracts around 100 entries each...
, the state knockout competition for Rugby, was introduced and was won by Radnwick in its first year, 1975, 1978 and 1982. The Cadet unit
Australian Army Cadets
The Australian Army Cadets is a youth organisation that is involved with progressive training of youths in military and adventurous activities. The programme has more than 19,000 Army Cadets between the ages of 12½ and 19 based in 236 units around Australia...
was also reformed in 1963, only to be disbanded again in the mid-1970s following the end of Commonwealth funding for cadet units. Due to the implementation of the Wyndham Scheme
Harold Wyndham
Sir Harold Wyndham CBE was Director-General of Education in New South Wales between 1952 and 1968. He chaired the committee whose report led to the Education Act 1961 which completely re-organised secondary education in NSW.-Early life and background:Wyndham was a great-grandson of Wadham Wyndham...
from 1962 to 1968, which created an extra year at school, overcrowding became a major problem and a new building scheme was intitiated to deal with this problem. As a result, several new buildings and a library was completed, which was opened on 19 August 1976 by the Member for Coogee, Michael Cleary. Since the 1990s, Randwick Boys has participated in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
Rock Eisteddfod Challenge
The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a series of dance and drama events staged worldwide by school pupils as part of the Global Rock Challenge. These events are initiated by the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge Foundation, and aim to promote healthy lifestyle choices, particularly abstinence from drugs,...
jointly with its sister school, Randwick Girls' High School
Randwick Girls' High School
Randwick Girls' High School, is a school located in Randwick, New South Wales, Australia, between Barker and Avoca Streets. It is a Girls high school operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training with students from years 7 to 12...
. Many places have been gained by the combined team, first reaching the finals in 1995, being a regular finalist since that time and winning the Premier Division in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007.
Notable alumni
- Alan Abadee AM RFD QC - Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales (1990-2000).
- Daryl BraithwaiteDaryl BraithwaiteDaryl Braithwaite is an Australian pop singer. Best known as the lead vocalist of Sherbet, Braithwaite has also sustained a successful solo career, placing 15 singles in the Australian top 40, including the No...
- Australian pop singer best known as the lead vocalist of Sherbet. - Richard Butler ACRichard Butler (diplomat)Richard William Butler AC has served as an Australian diplomat, a United Nations weapons inspector and the Governor of Tasmania.-Life and career:...
- Australian diplomat and former Governor of Tasmania. - David DaleDavid Dale (author)David Dale is an Australian author and journalist.Dale graduated from Sydney University with a degree in psychology before pursuing journalism. Currently he writes columns for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald and lectures part time in Communications at the University of Technology, Sydney...
- Writer, Journalist and ABC Radio Broadcaster - Robert DewleyRobert DewleyRobert Charles Dewley was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1947 until 1953. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Australia....
- Member of NSW Parliament for Drummoyne (1947–1953). - Mike GallacherMike GallacherMichael Joseph Gallacher MLC, an Australian politician, is the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter region and Vice-President of the Executive Council in the O'Farrell-Stoner Liberal/National coalitition government since 2011...
- Member of NSW Legislative Council (1996–) and Minister for Police and Emergency Services (2011–). - Air Marshal Sir Harold Martin KCB DSO DFC AFCHarold Brownlow MartinAir Marshal Sir Harold Brownlow Morgan "Micky" Martin, KCB, DSO & Bar, DFC & Two Bars, AFC was an Australian pilot in the Royal Air Force....
- RAF officer, pilot and ADC to the Queen. - Max MetzkerMax MetzkerMaxwell Raymond Metzker was an Australian long distance freestyle swimmer of the late 1970s and early 1980s, who won a bronze medal in the 1500 m freestyle at the 1980 Moscow Olympics...
- Australian Olympic Swimmer. - Bruce Notley-SmithBruce Notley-SmithBruce Neville Notley-Smith MP , an Australian politician, is a Councillor and former Mayor of the City of Randwick, and is a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Coogee for the Liberal Party of Australia since 26 March 2011.-Early years and background:Notley-Smith grew up...
- Former Mayor of Randwick, Member of NSW Parliament for Coogee (2011–). - Ron Solomon - Justice of the District Court of New South Wales.
- George SourisGeorge SourisGeorge Souris JP MP is an Australian politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. He is currently the Minister for Hospitality in the O'Farrell Liberal/National government. He was born at Gunnedah and was educated at The Armidale School and the University of New England...
- Member of the NSW Parliament for Upper Hunter, former Leader of NSW National Party and Minister in the Fahey and O'Farrell governments. - Ray StehrRay StehrRaymond Ernest Stehr was an Australian rugby league footballer, a state and national representative player whose club career was played at Sydney's Eastern Suburbs club. He has been named as one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century.-Early life:Stehr was born in the country New...
- Australian rugby league footballer. - Henri Szeps OAMHenri SzepsHenri Szeps OAM is an Australian actor best known for his role as Robert Beare in the ABC situation comedy series Mother and Son.-Early life:...
- Australian film and theatre actor - Cyril TowersCyril TowersCyril Towers was an Australian rugby union player, a state and national representative centre who made 57 appearances for the Wallabies, played in 19 Test matches and captained the national side on three occasions in 1937...
- Australian rugby union player. - David WarnerDavid Warner (cricketer)David Andrew Warner is an Australian cricketer. A quick-scoring left-handed opening batsman, Warner is the first Australian cricketer in 132 years to be selected for a national team in any format without experience in first-class cricket...
- Australian national cricketer
See also
- List of Government schools in New South Wales
- Rock Eisteddfod Challenge resultsRock Eisteddfod Challenge resultsThis it is list of the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge results- Hobart results:1st – Launceston Church Grammar School2nd – Riverside High School- Melbourne Premier Division grand final results:1st – Brunswick Secondary College - Submerged...
- Electoral district of CoogeeElectoral district of CoogeeCoogee is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Bruce Notley-Smith of the Liberal Party.-Members for Coogee:-Election results:...
- Division of Kingsford SmithDivision of Kingsford SmithThe Division of Kingsford Smith is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. It is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Sydney, on the north shore of Botany Bay, and the coast of the Tasman Sea...
- City of RandwickCity of RandwickThe City of Randwick is a Local Government Area in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. One of Sydney's largest parks, Centennial Park, lies within the city boundary of Randwick. Other major landmarks in Randwick include the world-famous Randwick Racecourse,...
External links
- Randwick Boys High School website
- New South Wales Department of Education and Training - Randwick Boys High School