Ferny Grove State High School
| Ferny Grove State High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| , | |
| Coordinates | 27°24′12″S 152°55′46″E / 27.4034°S 152.9294°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent Public School |
| Motto | Always Aim High |
| Established | 1980 |
| Principal | Mr Mark A Breckenridge |
| Enrolment | 1700 (2015) |
| Campus | On Site |
| Colour(s) | green/brown (formal) silver/green/purple (sport) |
| Website | Official School Webpage |
Ferny Grove State High School is an independent public secondary school in the suburb of Ferny Grove, in Brisbane, Australia.
The school has 1700 students enrolled as of the end of 2015.[1] In 2007, the school won the award for the most innovative music program in Queensland.[2] Ferny Grove has also won the award for the cleanest school for 8 years, With the latest Green and Healthy Schools award being won in 2010.[3]
History
The school was opened in 1980 on its current site at McGinn Road, Ferny Grove, near the Ferny Grove Railway Station and primary school.
Its original principal was Mr. Keith Tabulo, who held the position from 1980 to 1982, when he was replaced by Tony Marsland. It was Marsland who began the school's tradition of planting trees along the entrance way to the school on Queensland Day. This tradition, which began in 1984, has continued since, and trees now line both entrances to the school.
In 1985, the position of principal was taken by Ralph Took, when Marsland was promoted the position of school inspector. Took remained principal for a record 15 years (he resigned at the end of term one in 2000, having been offered a higher position in the Education Department). During this time the school gained its reputation for excellence in several fields, including music, drama, academia and sport.
Finding a replacement for Took proved a lengthy process, with deputy principal Russell Burguez acting in the position throughout terms two and three of 2000. In fourth term the position was permanently filled by Chris Rider, who had moved across from Wellington Point High School. Nearing the end of his time as principal at the school, Rider began taking on other responsibilities in Education Queensland, leading to his leaving the school to become one of the Department's Regional Directors. Deputy principal Pat Anderson, who has since retired, held the post of Acting Principal until end of term 2, 2007.
Since the start of semester 2, 2007, the position of executive principal was held by Mrs. Kaye Gardner, who previously held the same position at Craigslea State High School in Chermside West. At the end of Term 1 2010, Mrs Gardner was transferred to Cavendish Road State High School, and was replaced for one term by Mr David Sutton. In Term 3 2010, Mr Mark Breckenridge was appointed as school principal and Mr Breckenridge has enjoyed continuing success in this role.
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Campus
Location
The school is located in the suburb of Ferny Grove in Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. It is situated on McGinn Road, which is quite close to Ferny Grove State Primary School and the Ferny Grove Railway Station.
Grounds and Facilities
The grounds of the school are known for their landscaping and aesthetically pleasing gardens. The school occupies a large area of land, and this allows the school have a feel of space, openness and tranquility. There is only one building that is not single story, and this demonstrates the contrast of Ferny Grove SHS from the typical hospital-style campuses of other Brisbane Secondary Schools such as St Lawrence's and Brisbane State High.
- Hall (including a futsal and volleyball court)
- 300 seat Auditorium with rehearsal rooms, foyer and amenities
- 4 tennis courts and 4 basketball/netball courts
- Air-conditioned library
- Gymnasium
- Oval (400m turfed athletics track included)
- Football field
- Rugby league/rugby union field
- School Farm
- Woodwork and Metalwork workshops
- Horticultural precinct
- Separate faculty blocks
- Performing Arts rooms
Uniform
Male
The summer uniform consists of mint green buttoned shirt, bottle green shorts, brown leather belt, brown leather shoes, brown socks and an optional bottle green tie. The winter uniform is the same, with the inclusion of a dark green sweater with school emblem or school jacket. For formal occasions and senior leaders, a blazer is worn, with school emblem and appropriate gold insignia.
Female
Bottle green skirt and pale green blouse. Brown Leather lace up Shoes with brown socks. Tie not compulsory.
School Houses
On enrolment, students are allocated at random to the four houses of Itchika (red), Kara Kara (yellow), Ourapilla (black), and Wookarin (blue). The houses take their names from the language of the original indigenous inhabitants of the land on which the school is situated.
Alumni
- The school has had several winners of the prestigious TJ Ryan award.[4] One of these winners is Ryan Williams who had become a German teacher at the school and has since left to pursue a medical career.[5]
- Shaun Berrigan[6] former player of the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland State of Origin Team, and current Brisbane Broncos and Queensland State of Origin Team member Justin Hodges[6] attended the school.
- Lisa and Jessica Origliasso (better known as the band The Veronicas) went to Ferny Grove High in grades eight and nine.[7] The sisters sang together in the 1998 Ferny High school talent quest and placed second.[8]
- Paralympian Stephen Eaton[6] and Rugby League players Barry Berrigan[citation needed] and Jharal Yow Yeh[citation needed] were also students at the school.
- Rohan Bail, currently playing in the Australian Football League for the Melbourne Demons graduated from the school in 2006.
- David Crofts, decorated helicopter pilot
Notes and references
- ^ "Queensland State School Report - 2009" (PDF). Ferny Grove State High School. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
- ^ "Unmasking excellence in state schools: More to the music". Education Queensland. Archived from the original on 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ "Ferny Grove State High School named Brisbane's Greenest & Healthiest School!" (PDF). Green and Healthy Schools (Queensland). 18 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ "TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship: Past medallists". The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and the Arts). Retrieved 2008-08-29.
- ^ Ferny Grove State High School
- ^ a b c "Ferny Grove State High School: History". Ferny Grove State High School. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- ^ "The Veronicas Board: What high school, or part of brisbane".
- ^ Ferny Grove State High School: Magazine (1998). p. 70.
2nd Place: Lisa and Jessica Origlasso with a song and dance