Our Beginning
The following information has been taken from the Wynnum Sate High School 50 Years Jubilee Magazine which was compiled by past students to celebrate the school's 50th anniversary. More links will be added as soon as time permits!
BEFORE THE EARLY DAYS
The bayside district in the twenties and thirties was mainly a farming community. The commercial centres of the region were developing mainly at Wynnum and Manly. Although there were numerous primary schools in the area there was, as yet no secondary school facility. Students who had the inclination to continue on to Secondary School had the inconvenience of travelling to Central Brisbane to attend one of the four High Schools located there.
It is a fact, however that from 1918 to 1921, a Secondary Department operated Wynnum Central school.
The local M.L.A. Ald Dart, was a keen advocate of the need for a high school in the Wynnum/Manly area.
In the late 1920’s, plans had been drawn up for a Wynnum North Intermediate school to be built at Primrose Park. There were several of these intermediate schools in the Brisbane region. They were intended to be a transitional level between primary and high schools. Because of the expense involved in maintaining a separate institution for grades seven and eight only, the concept was abandoned. This intermediate level was added to Wynnum High School in 1943 and in that way the school originally became known as the Wynnum High and Intermediate School (WHIS).
The decision to build a high school in the Wynnum/Manly area was likely made in 1935 or 1936. In a letter dated 21st July, 1936, to the Department of Public Instruction, a Mr Carr-Boyd offered for sale thirteen acres (5.26 hectares) of land as being considered suitable on Tingal Road and Upland Terrace; the dwelling on the site, the letter suggested, could be remodelled into classrooms. The offer was declined.
In 1937, the Department of Public Instruction had completed negotiations with the Brisbane City Council to exchange Primrose Park for a portion of Russell Park (Memorial Park), where the new school was to be built.
The relative proximity of the Manly Railway Station was one of the deciding factors for the choices of that location. For a time consideration had been given to building a Railway Station on the track adjacent to Russell Park, until it was found that the steam trains of the day would not be able, in wet weather, to negotiate the steep grade from a standing start to the Manly Station. So generations of future students of Wynnum High School had to stretch their legs twice daily between school and station. In 1951 the Principal obtained the Department’s permission to cease classes at 3.00 o’clock to enable students to catch the 3.10pm train home.
By the end of 1939, plans for the School had been drawn and accepted, building specifications with architectural amendments approved an estimated cost of 25,600 pounds calculated and the monies allocated.
F.W. James, a Surveyor in private practice, was commissioned to assess the suitability of the site for a school. His report dated the 27th February, 1940, was anything but flattering.
"This site is unsuitable and uninteresting. It is exposed to Westerly winds. Half an acre of it is swamp and it is generally useless in wet weather. The higher ground over the railway line shuts off the sea breezes.
Surely a more pleasant site could be found over-looking the bay.”
Nevertheless plans had proceeded too far for a change at this late stage, and the corner stone was laid on the 21st August, 1941 and the building the Wynnum High Commenced.
THE EARLY DAYS
When Wynnum High School first opened for students on the 2nd March, 1942, only the first floor had been completed. The pupils did their lessons while work was being carried out on the top floor and the roof was being added. In spite of the construction area being placed “out of bounds”, several students were struck by falling objects. None of the injuries was considered serious.
The boys of that first year were given the task of digging the slit-trenches, in the area now occupied by the swimming pool. Air-raid drills were regularly conducted and windows were taped during the war years. These trenches remained intact until they were filled later in 1950.
In 1942, no facilities existed at the School for instruction in either Domestic Science or Manual Training, so the students had to trudge to Wynnum Central State School for those subjects.
A report by a Departmental Inspector, who strolled over the grounds and through the partially completed building on opening day noted this great lack of equipment.
The Teacher-in-Charge for 1942 was Mr J.R.Lendrum, M.B.E. He was to return to the school in 1956 and teach there until his departure in 1962.
During the year, all students were divided into three Sporting Houses, Griffith, Lilley and Wentworth.
So, it was from this quite modest beginning in 1942 that Wynnum High School would gradually develop over five decades to its present state.
When the school year commenced on the 2nd February, 1943, E.W.C. Holdaway, B.A., M.Ed., assumed position of Principal, a post he was to hold until retirement in 1954.
Ernest Holdaway was to become the “founding father” of many of the schools enduring traditions. He took as his models the old Public Schools of Britain and he included many of their characteristics into Wynnum High School. With many years of teaching experience, he was a thinking educator of children who were on the threshold of adulthood. In many respects his ideals were ahead of the times.
The 1940’s were years of many firsts for Wynnum High School.
On the 11th October, 1943, at a meeting held at Wynnum School of Arts, it was decided to form Parents & Citizens' Association, which would function to raise funds for the new school. The first president was the Principal, Ernest Holdaway.
This association has become one of the most industrious legacies of Ernest Holdaway’s original contributions to Wynnum High School.
The first junior and intermediate candidates sat for their respective exams in 1943. The first Seniors sat for the matriculation test in 1945.
The school motto (SEMPER FIDELIS - Always Faithful) was adopted in 1944, as was the Harrow Rugby song (Forty Years On) as the school song at Mr Holdaway’s suggestions.
Because of the Second World War, metal for badges was not available until 1947. However, school colours were decided and uniforms introduced.
In the early years, the Principle instituted the solemn ceremony of the remembrance of those who had died in the World War I. Anzac Day became a very important event in the school year. The significance of the ceremony has been impressed upon the many students who have, over fifty years, participated in the annual observance of Anzac Day.
As the forties progressed, more and more extra curricular activities were included in the school routine, running a parallel course to tuition.
The Crusaders Groups, one for the girls and one for the boys, had their inaugural meeting in 1946. That first meeting of a very active and very dedicated group of students and teachers was the beginning of a long and valuable contribution to the school extolling the virtue of adherence to Christian principles. These groups continue at Wynnum today under the name of ISCF. In the same year the Crusaders was organised, a past-student’s association was formed by those pupils who did not wish to sever all ties with their old school. Many social and sporting events were organised throughout the year. Even a design for a past-student’s badge was agreed upon.
In 1947, the first school magazine was printed, beginning a long tradition that continues forty five years later. The annual magazine became a mirror of school, the students and teachers who have been associated with the school for the five decades of its existence. It faithfully reflected changing trends, not only for the school, but also in the attitude towards education and school routine. The following year the first photographs accompanied the text.
A small group of energetic mothers organised themselves and began, also in 1947, running a once weekly (on Wednesday only) tuckshop. All the ‘fillings’ for the sandwiches were donated. The tuckshop was located under the Grandstand that stood facing the oval (Memorial Park). On the first anniversary of the opening of the tuckshop, a birthday cake proved to be a great seller. To that date 100 pounds had been raised by the tuckshop ladies. Food parcels to the value of 1 pound were being sent on a weekly basis to Britain. 20 pounds had been donated to the Lord Mayor’s Fund and 20 pounds being given to the U.N Appeal for the starving children.
With the help of a teacher, Mr J. Radford, an enthusiastic group of the students formed a Drama club in 1949. The membership fee was 1/- shilling. And in its first year, the group had twenty members.
In 1949, a radio was installed at the school enabling students to listen to educational programs broadcast be the ABC.
In the end of the year exams in the 1949, Greg Crane obtained 10 A’s in the Junior Public exam. This was an outstanding achievement and also increased the prestige of Wynnum High School. Foe the result he was presented, by the Registrar of the University of Queensland, the Byrnes Memorial Medal. In the senior exam for the year, Errol Thrift became the first student of Wynnum High School to be awarded an Open Scholarship to the Queensland University.
On reflection, the forties have been “building” years at Wynnum High School. From a modest and low key beginning, the school in eight years had become fully functional with the many embellishments that are necessary adjuncts to a scholastic program. All students were encouraged to participate fully and contributed to all aspects of school life.
Since inception in 1942, Wynnum High School had, by 1949, come along way and was already a proven institution of educating adolescents and turning them into young adults.
CONSOLIDATION AND GROWTH
The beginning of the school year in 1951 ushered a new era not only for the school, but also for the whole world. The next forty years would see an unprecedented explosion of social, medical, and scientific development. Australia as a nation was to undergo enormous changes from an influx of cultures, which would alter the country forever.
The year began auspiciously for Wynnum with the appointment of Mr S. Garret, B.Sc., as the school’s first Deputy Principal. He was to remain in that position for nine years and, in that time, became known and respected for the quiet efficiency and understanding manner in which he despatched his duties. He was sadly missed when he was transferred in 1959.
The most pressing concern in 1949-50 was the shortage of the classrooms to be accommodated the increase in the student numbers. The Principal had several occasions, informed the Department of Public Instruction of this. He diplomatically suggested in one letter, the possibility of using the Drill Hall for the classrooms but mentioned that at present, (25th February, 1949) this was not possible since a family named McGuigan was living there. In 1912, this Drill Hall had been built on land donated by Mr W.H Roles to the commonwealth Government. A militia company of the 26th Battalion had a twenty-five yard rifle range on the grounds.
The school had use of the Hall in the 1950 but by the end of the year a paper war erupted with the Federal Government. Letters were sent to the school, from as high a level as the Prime Minister’s Department, instructing the school to vacate the Hall. On the 19th Feberarury, 1951, the school vacated the Drill Hall, only to get use of it in later years with the formation of the School Cadet Unit. By 1970, the land on which the Hall stood took part of the school grounds. Not long after, the Drill Hall was removed to make possible the construction of the present Assembly Hall.
An extra five acres had been added to the school grounds in the period between 1949-50 to make room for the expansion.
In 1950, Denis Belford became the first past-student to obtain the University degree, graduating in science with second class honours in Geology. Another student, Betty Earley, excelled by winning a three year scholarship to the Sydney Conservatorium.
An important innovation during 1950 was the twice weekly High School assembly. It was held at the commencement of the day. Three adjoining rooms were opened on the top floor where all the High School students were seated. The Lord’s Prayer would be recited, hymns sung and then the Principal would give a short address or read an extract from a text. Mr Holdaway seemed to have a definite preference for the memoirs of the General Jan Smuts and would read parts of them to the assembled students. At the very first assembly a “Telegraph” Bursary Certificate was presented to Greg Cane and the official goodbye was said to a teacher, Miss Mouat, who left that day.
When a matter arose concerning the whole school, a general parade was held, which included the Intermediate Section, and the Principal imparted the news. These Assemblies and the General Parades gathered the whole school community together to share note worthy occasions, gave the school purpose and imparted a sense of belonging and of cohesion to the staff and students.
In those years the high school students occupied the top floor and the intermediate students the first floor of “A” Block.
On the 1st April, 1950, the first fete, opened by Alderman Chandler, was held, and raised the quite substantial sum of 300 pounds (less then $600.00).
Sport has always played a prominent part at Wynnum High School. In the 1950, in line with Q.S.S.S.S.A policy, Wynnum formed its first Rugby Union team. Other sports pursued by the students were tennis, soccer, cricket, rugby league, swimming, hockey, vigoro and netball. Having no tennis courts players used courts belonging to Mrs Haylock and Mrs Dodd, Mr Beitz and Mr Berry who kindly allowed students the use of their facilities.
Two teachers, Miss Cribb and Mr Dalzell organised Life Saving Classes, training students to obtain proficiency medallions and certificates.
Wynnum High School’s Annual sports day was held in Memorial Park, known to all at the school simply as the Oval. There the Houses competed for honours in athletics. It was always a very special day at the school, being also a selection day for the school athletics team to compete in the Q.S.S.S.S.A sports day held at the R.N.A grounds.
During the first half of 1951, measures had to be taken to minimise the threat to students from poliomyelitis. This resulted in the curtailment of all sporting activity in school. Polio was an extremely contagious disease, prevalent at the time.
A more encouraging, pleasant sight greeted students returning from the May holidays in the guise of a bulldozer noisily levelling the ground in preparation prior for the laying of a bitumen surface on the new tennis courts.
Prior to that, students had the use of several table tennis tables, courtesy of the very able and genial teacher Mr Clegg. It was again through Mr Clegg’s effort that the school acquired its first Honour Board.
Another activity organised in 1951 was the inter House Debating Competition. Initially only the boys were permitted to participate in the debating, the girl’s time being taken up with choir practice. Eventually girls were allowed to join the debating teams and performed as well as the boys.
In 1952, Wynnum High School was ten years old. A decade had passed since the schools modest beginning, and in that decade many initiatives had become established practices and many obstacles had been overcome to firmly anchor Wynnum into the framework of the State’s education system. Many students who continued to senior level were gaining entry to the University and also winning scholastic honours there.
There was nevertheless a considerable “leakage” of students from the lower grades. Ernest Holdaway was the first of many Principals of the school to bemoan this loss of students so early in their education.
A pressing concern of the late forties and early fifties was the lack of classrooms to accommodate the ever increasing to intake of students. The principal wrote many a diplomatic letter to the Department of Education, regarding this overcrowding. Building finally commenced on a two storeyed timber block of the classrooms to the right of ‘A’ block. This was later designed as ‘B’ Block. Staff and students whimsically referred to this addition as the ‘Bush School’, to contrast it to the fine masonry of the main building.
Despite these cramped conditions, the standard of education did not suffer. In the 1952 Senior examinations, School Captain James Stoodley’s results earned him an Open Scholarship and a teacher’s fellowship (Arts). James became the schools third open scholarship winner.
In 1952, that great blisterer of feet and wrecker of sandshoes, the Annual cross-country race, had its inaugural run. It was won by R.Bale of lilley (24 min 0.5 secs), with Griffith house being top point scorer. In 1970, instead of lining the last 100 yards to cheer on the finishing contestants, the girls themselves participated. The record time over the original course is held by Chris Hubbert with a time of 19 mins 48.5 secs over 3.7 miles.
1953 was coronation year an exciting time in Britain and a lot of this excitement spilled over into Australia. All the senior students journeyed to the ster picture Theatre in Wynnum central and watched newsreels of the event. The local MLA and school patron, Mr W. Gunn, visited the school, informing the students of the importance of the event and giving each student an appropriate souvenir. The Principal elaborated further to the school on the validity of the monarchy and the relevance of the Coronation to all Australian citizens. On the 10th March, 1954, students of the school participated in a Children’s Display in Honour of the Queen at the Exhibition Ground. That evening ,school Captains Jill Anderson and Colin Slater represented the school at a royal ball.
On June 30, 1954, the unthinkable happened with Ernest Holdaway retiring from the position of Principal. At a Special General parade of the entire school, the school captains presented Mr Holdaway with two easy chairs as a parting gift. With retirement, Mr Holdaway did not sever his ties with the school completely. He maintained a keen interest in the progress of Wynnum high school for many years. He was an honoured guest at many Speech Nights and other official occasions at the school.
It is appropriate at this stage of the history of the school, to mention a tradition that had existed at the school for many years. It is difficult to say who had been the initiator of this good old custom. It is definitely safe to note, that it certainly was not Ernest Holdaway. It had become traditional for and Sixth Form boy game enough, in his final weeks at to ascend, surreptitiously, into the ceiling of ‘A’ Block and then climb up into the Bell-Tower that once used to adorn the building. Access was through the ceiling on the top floor. Students then had to carefully negotiate their way in the half light along the ceiling and finally climb to the Bell-Tower. The object of all this was to sign one’s name on the timbers inside the tower.
It may come as a surprise to many old boys of the school to know quite a few old girls also made that climb into the Bell-Tower.
There is also some evidence to suggest that, one year, three male teachers attempted to climb into the same Bell-Tower.
In 1967, the tower was removed because of dry rot in its structure. Sadly, to all knowledge, no part of it was salvaged for posterity. What a treasure-trove of names and signatures it must have been.
A NEW ERA – 1954
The new Principal F.H.R. Cafferky, B.A., A.Ed. assumed his duties on the 3rd of August, 1954. He was to continue the work commenced by Mr Holdaway and, with time, add innovations of his own.
The first major innovation was the introduction of the Prefect system at Wynnum High School on 31st May, 1955, when Sixth Form students became the first Prefects to be inducted.
The School Captains for that year were George Fleming and Helen Cockerill.
To be appointed a Prefect was considered to be a singular honour at the school in those days. Apart from the responsibility involved, each Prefect was issued with a distinctive badge and each also received a special hat band and blazer pocket.
At a General Parade later in the year, students were surprised to be told that their adherence to correct uniform was lacking. There had previously been some latitude allowed in the clothing worn at school because of shortage due to World War II. Now a more strict policy was adopted towards the wearing of a uniform and was to continue for many years at Wynnum. The years that followed were very formal years in many respects. Correctness of dress, proper behaviour in class and the playground were expected. Appearance and demeanour of students whilst in uniform outside school grounds was also expected to be of high standard. These codes of behaviour would be remembered by many past pupils of the School.
On the 3rd January, 1956, Mr J.R. Lendrum returned to Wynnum High School to take up a teaching position. He would have found the School greatly changed from those days in 1942, when he first came to Wynnum as Teacher-In-Charge. He continued to teach at Wynnum until 1961.
After much planning and organising in 1955, the School’s famous Cadet Unit had its first parade on 16th February, 1956. Officer commanding was Mr D. Griffith, a teacher at the School. Captain Griffith was to lead the Unit for many years, and under his command and guidance, the Cadet Unit was to win many splendid honours and to receive countless accolades from many quarters.
During 1956, black and white TV flickered into many Brisbane lounge rooms. Radio suddenly lost its appeal and owning a TV set was the dream of many households. The television set was the first visual aid to be used for educational purposes at schools. It was the precursor of today’s computer screen. Limited as TV was, it was the first step to a more visual method of education. It was not as yet taken as a serious adjustment to that original V.D.U., the blackboard.
If current students were to glance at a plan of the School grounds in the fifties and sixties, the first thing would strike them would be the abundance of open space. ‘A’ Block remained the hub of activity for most students but additional buildings were slowly mushrooming close by. This building activity would explode in the seventies and eighties and transform the School.
But in 1957 there was still an atmosphere of space and a sense of plenty of time except, of course, prior to exam time. Students found time for many activities. One of the most popular was the Fancy-Dress Ball held in the old Star Picture Theatre in Wynnum Central. These functions were first held in the late forties and proved extremely popular.
‘Apes is Apes though clothed in scarlet’ quipped the School magazine in tongue-in-check referral to one successful Ball.
In 1958, Mr Cafferky was transferred to Brisbane State High School and his place taken by Mr F.B. Perry, B.Sc.
After several years of fund-raising, the P&C allocated funds to fill and level the ground adjacent to Memorial Drive, for what was to become the School Oval. It was always known in those days as the new Oval as opposed to Memorial Park, which was always referred to as simply ‘The Oval’. Memorial Park was always out of bounds except for supervised sporting activity whereas students were free to use the “new” oval at any time. The embankment on the western side was a favourite lunch time spot, as it provided shelter from the biting westerly winds in winter.
The 1958 Inter-House Athletics Competition was held on the “new” oval. With bitumen having being laid previously on the parade area behind ‘A’ Block, Mr Perry decided to hold the Annual Speech Nights there, under the stars.
The problem was that there were never any stars visible on the night in question because of the clouds and showers and rain.
Chairs would be arranged in beat rows and an elaborate lighting and loud-speaker system set up for the night. There were rehearsals for prize winners to ensure that the ceremony proceeded with as few hitches as possible, and each time the rain came as if on cue.
In 1959, another era concluded at Wynnum High School. The popular and genial Deputy Principal, Mr S. Garrett was transferred to Salisbury State High School. The news would not have been greeted with any joy at the School as Sid Garrett had been a most popular and highly regarded member of staff. His replacement as Deputy Principal was Mr T.C. Baker-Finch, B.Sc.
The school’s first two Principals had been concerned that too few students elected to continue their education beyond Junior (Grade 10) and Mr Perry was no exception. He also stressed the importance of the students taking Science subjects and of the future need for scientific development in Australia.
The Senior students were achieving excellent results in their examinations. Of the thirty-eight Seniors in 1958 who sat for the matriculation exams, fifteen were accepted into University courses and thirteen gained entry to the Teachers’ Training College.
The steady increase in enrolments made the three Houses system unwieldy, so in 1959 four new Houses were formed – Cunningham, Kennedy, Mitchell and Oxley.
Tennis champion Rod Laver visited the School with Frank Gorman in 1959 and passed on useful hints to budding tennis starts. The visitors later played a double match each being paired with a student. The Frank Gorman team won this impromptu match.
That same year the Inter-House Swimming Carnival was held at the newly opened Langlands Swimming Pool at Stones Corner. This was a break with tradition, as the usual venue had been the pool at Manly.
By 1958 the Intermediate Section had shed its Grade 7 students, who, in future, remained at the Primary School for an extra year.
Interesting events in 1960 included Miss Nixon running a cake stall in May and using profits to purchase Speech Night prizes. Having made a success of that venture, two months later she and Mrs Taege ran round the ‘Oval’ to set an example and encourage non-sporting girls to participate in some sporting activity.
Past pupil Vivienne Chantler was the top student at Queensland University in English. For this she was awarded ‘Mary Gibson Miles-Munro Scholarship’ and the ‘Lizzie Head-Warry Prize’ for her proficiency.
The big event of 1960 was the opening of the new Tuckshop, located where the Drop-In Centre is now (in 2009 this room has been converted into a classroom). Although not fully equipped, it was a vast improvement on the Tuckshop that had existed under the Grandstand in Memorial Park. Hard work by the Ladies Auxiliary and support from the School soon remedied all shortcomings.
The other significant event was the redesigning of the cover of the School Magazine and the choice of ‘Wirinun’ as its name. The Premier House for that year was Oxley and its colours adorned the cover.
1961 commenced with the return of F.H.R. Cafferky as Principal. There was also a new Deputy Mr P.C.R. Proctor, B.Sc.
In that year Wynnum High School was elevated to Grade 1 High School status because of the increasing numbers of students enrolled. This meant more funds would be allocated by the Department to improve existing facilities.
Miss Nixon had been transferred that year to Commercial Girls’ High and a group of Sixth Form girls visited her there and presented her with a gold School badge in appreciation of her efforts at Wynnum High School.
1961 also marked the end of an era, being the last year of Wynnum High and Intermediate School.
