Wavell State High School is a coeducational public secondary school based in Wavell Heights, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The school has a total enrolment of more than 1500 students from years 7–12, with an official count of 1674 students in 2019. Since 2021, the role of Executive Principal of the School has been held by Elizabeth Foster.
| Wavell State High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| , | |
| Coordinates | 27°23′55.5″S 153°02′15.4″E / 27.398750°S 153.037611°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Public, secondary |
| Motto | Esse Quam Videri (To be rather than to seem to be)[1] |
| Established | 1959 |
| Principal | Elizabeth Foster |
| Grades | 7–12 |
| Enrolment | 1674 (2019)[2] |
| Colour(s) | Maroon , navy blue and royal blue |
| Website | wavellshs |
Some of the school's buildings are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.[3]
History
editWavell State High School opened on 27 January 1959 under the leadership of the founding Principal, C.E. Anstey. As the suburb of the school, Wavell Heights, which was named in 1942, Wavell State High School was named after Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell (5 May 1883 – 24 May 1950), a Commander-in-Chief of British and Dominion Forces in the Middle East from July 1939 to July 1941. Many Australians served under his command during the early period of World War II; mostly in North Africa, Greece, Crete and Syria.[4]
In 2018 many of the original buildings received State Government Heritage Listing due to their cultural and historical significance.[5]
In early 2021, Jeff Major, the school's 8th and longest serving principal, announced he was going on extended leave to finalise his retirement plans. Replacing him, is MacGregor's Elizabeth Foster.[6]
Sporting houses
editWavell State High School's four sporting houses, Alamein, Burma, Keren and Tobruk, are named in reference to places and battles associated with Earl Wavell:
- Alamein commemorates the Second Battle of El Alamein, the turning point of World War II in the Middle East.
- Burma, part of Wavell's responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief of the south-West Pacific, was invaded in December 1941 by the Japanese Army who gained control of the country by May 1942. Australian Air Force and Navy personnel were among those Allied forces who retook Burma in 1945.
- Keren was the location of a decisive and bitter battle from 15 to 26 March 1941 in which British troops defeated Italian troops.
- Tobruk was the scene of a siege in which allied servicemen defended the town against the German Army from 10 April to 7 December 1941. This siege of 242 days is the longest in British Military history.[4]
Notable alumni
editThis article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (September 2024) |
The school is known for producing many rugby league footballers that have played in the NRL.
Rugby league
edit- Kurt Baptiste
- Adam Blair
- Darryl Brohman, also a commentator and media personality
- Dale Copley
- Richard Faʻaoso
- Tom Gilbert
- Ashley Harrison
- Greg Inglis
- Sam Kasiano
- Francis Molo
- Michael Molo
- Jayden Nikorima
- Kodi Nikorima
- Karl Oloapu
- Smith Samau
- Sam Tagataese
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
- Tevita Toloi
- Shane Tronc
- Elianna Walton
- Jake Webster
Other sports
edit- Jason Akermanis, Australian Rules footballer
- Madonna Blyth,[7] field hockey player
- Naomi Castle, water polo player in 2000 & 2004 Olympics. Gold medallist at 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Captain (2004).
- Joyce Lester, softball player, 1996 Olympics Bronze Medal, Team member 1977–1996, Captain (1985–1996)[8]
- Sandra Yost,[9][better source needed] Commonwealth Games Swimmer 1974 Gold 200m Butterfly, Silver 200m Backstroke, Bronze 100m Butterfly
Other
edit- Anthony Chisholm,[10] Senator
- Sir Ross Cranston, High Court of Justice of England and Wales[11]
- Jessica and Lisa Origliasso of The Veronicas
- Peter Timms, koala conservationist
- Kerry Millard, former Qld State Member of Parliament
Notable staff
editReferences
edit- ^ "Wavell State High School – Prospectus 2019" (PDF). Wavell State High School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 March 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "Wavell State High School Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Department of Education and Training (Queensland). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Wavell State High School (entry 650067)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Wavell State High School – History". Wavell State High School. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "Wavell State High listed in heritage register". The Courier Mail. 13 August 2018. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "Newsletter 2021-04-23" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Hockeyroos captain Madonna Blyth was set to succeed, says those who watched her grow from schoolgirl to superstar". The Courier Mail. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "Joyce Lester". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Sandra Yost". Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Senator Anthony Chisholm > About Anthony". www.anthonychisholm.org.au. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Sir Ross Cranston". Archived from the original on 16 May 2023.