Sydney Technical High School

Sydney Technical High School (STHS) is a government-funded single-sex academically selective secondary day school for boys, located in Bexley, a southern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Founded in 1911 as part of Sydney Technical College, the school was one of the six original New South Wales selective schools and caters for boys from Year 7 to Year 12. The school is colloquially abbreviated to Sydney Tech, STHS or simply Tech.[11]

Sydney Technical High School
Administration office and auditorium
Location
Sydney Technical High School
Sydney Technical High School
Sydney Technical High School (New South Wales)
Sydney Technical High School
Sydney Technical High School (Australia)
Bexley, southern Sydney, New South Wales

Australia
Coordinates33°57′46″S 151°6′52″E
Information
TypeGovernment-funded single-sex academically selective secondary day school
MottoManners Makyth Man
(William of Wykeham)
Established
FounderJohn Turner[3][2]
Sister schoolSt. George Girls High School[4]
Educational authorityNew South Wales Department of Education
PrincipalSteven So[5]
Staff12 (administrative)[6]
Teaching staff60
Years7–12
GenderBoys
Enrolmentc. 917[7][8] (2018)
Campus
Campus typeUrban
Colour(s)Burgundy and sky blue         
Nickname
  • Sydney Tech
  • STHS
  • Tech
PublicationTech Talk[10]
Websitewww.sths.nsw.edu.au

Admission to Year 7 is based on an external selective test held in Year 6 during March. Entrance to Years 8, 9 and 10 is based on the submission of an application form and an interview. Admission to Year 11 is based on the submission of an application form, placement tests in mathematics and English, and an interview.[12]

Academic achievement

The school consistently achieves superior results in external assessments, such as the NAPLAN, the ICAS, the School Certificate, and in particular, the Year 12 Higher School Certificate (HSC), where its students are regularly ranked in the top ten places in the state across a variety of subjects.[13] On average, over 80% of its students achieve in the top 20% of the state, with a majority gaining an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of more than 90.[13]

In 2010 fifteen students from the school's graduating class received Premier's Awards for All-round Excellence in the NSW HSC.[14] The school won the national championship in the University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Challenge in 2010 (gold division) and 2011 (silver division).[14][15]

History
Sydney Technical High School building, 1925

One of the reforms advocated by the 1903 Royal Commission into NSW Education was the establishment of classes providing courses which would involve technical subjects. Consequently, Continuation classes for students interested in technical subjects commenced at the Sydney Technical College.[11]

In April 1911, these Continuation classes were given the status of a high school, and Sydney Technical High was established. Originally, the school was co-educational with 113 boys and 15 girls. In February 1913, the girls were transferred to Fort Street Girls' High; and, from then on, the school became for boys only.[11]

Since 1911, the school has been located at three Sydney sites:

  • Ultimo House on Mary Ann Street: this was the "country" home of John Harris, Surgeon of the New South Wales Corps. The property was bought by the Government in 1899 and used by Technical Education for many years before being used by Sydney Tech High from 1911 to 1924.
  • Paddington on Albion Street: in 1925, with an enrolment of 421, Sydney Tech High was transferred to Albion Street, Paddington. Although it was a note of expansion, it was a vigorous P&C campaign that encouraged the State Government to fund an entirely new site for the school.
  • Bexley on Forest Road: the Old McConnachie's Paddock was occupied and first stone for the school's foundations was laid in March 1955, with the school completed and occupied by September 1956. The official opening for the school's new facilities was on 2 August 1958, with four units: the administration block, general classrooms ('A block'), manual training block and the auditorium and gymnasium. Throughout the years numerous additions have been made to the site. The School Pool was opened in 1966, the Kingston-David Library and Laboratories in 1975 and a brand-new administration block in 1998.[11]

Facilities

The current grounds at Bexley include the following physical facilities:

  • Upper courts and Lower Courts ("The Cage") – basketball courts for Years 7–9 and 10–12, respectively
  • Elmo Landsberger Cricket nets – located between Lower courts and Back oval, 3 cricket batting nets & a plaque dedicated to Elmo Landsberger
  • New courts – A new basketball court as well as 3 small handball courts and a volleyball court has been put in, near the Anderson Street car park. The construction was completed in May 2009.
  • Botanical and Rainforest area
  • Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial Library
  • Auditorium for School Assemblies and performances
  • Gymnasium with indoor basketball courts
  • Matthew Goodall Memorial Garden[16] - Adjacent the library
  • Sun Shelter between the Cafeteria and the industrial works classrooms. The shelter was completed as of March 2015.
  • Vera's Gym - A physical gymnasium dedicated for outside classroom learning and relaxation. It is often used by PASS and SLR students as well as seniors.
  • Table tennis area - 3 table tennis tables, outside the library. Completed recently in early 2018.

Faculties
Faculty HSC subjects
Creative Arts Music 1, Music 2, Music Extension, Visual Arts
English Drama, English (Standard & Advanced), English Extensions 1 & 2
History Legal Studies, Ancient History, Modern History, History Extension, Studies of Religion 1, Studies of Religion 2, Accelerated History (Yr 9-10), Psychology (Year 11 Only)
Languages French (Not Available since 2014), German (Not Available since 2014), Japanese (Beginners, Continuers & Extension)
Mathematics Mathematics, Mathematics Extensions 1 & 2
PD/Health/PE/Careers Personal Development/Health/Physical Education, Human Movement
Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Social science Business Studies (Year 11-12 and accelerated Year 10-11), Economics, Geography, Commerce
Industrial arts and computing studies Design and Technology, Engineering Studies, Information and Software Technology, Information Processes and Technology (Year 11-12 and accelerated Year 9-10), Information Technology (VET), Software Design and Development (SDD), Graphic and Computing Studies

Extra-curricular activities

Extracurricular activities offered to Sydney Technical High School students include:

  • P&C Association and Student Fundraising
  • Debating Teams
  • Student Representative Council (SRC)
  • Interact – A group dedicated to charity fundraising
  • Sound and Lighting Crew – A group of students who, under teacher supervision, dedicate their time to the continued maintenance and functioning of the auditorium and drama studio systems.
  • FRED – The former, award-winning school newspaper run solely by students at the school. FRED returned temporarily after remaining dormant from 2005 to 2007. There was a temporary revival with the release of editions between 2008 and 2009; and once again in 2013 and 2014. FRED is no longer the school newspaper and has been, for all intents and purposes, replaced by the Tech High Times. However, there are talks of a relaunch for year 11&12 students as a senior alternative to the junior paper.
  • Tech High Times - A journalism society for students in years 7-10 that intends to produce tabloid editions each term. The team was founded in 2018 by political enthusiast Adrian Lozancic. Two editions were released in 2018, with two expected in 2019; and members are set to elect a student leader for 2020.
  • Digital Media Team - A film-making, photography group founded in 2018 by Nestor Harilaou, tasked with creating various multimedia presentations for school events. "A day at Tech." is regarded as their debut video, showing future Techies what school will be like. The leader of the DMT as of 2019 is Emmanuel Takla.
  • Public speaking – including Inter-School and grade-wide competitions
  • Links Program – A group of year 9 students work with students from Hurstville Primary School, to show them what happens in high school and create links between the two schools. It is run by the history, science, creative arts/LOTE faculties.
  • ISCF – Inter-School Christian Fellowship run by the students under teacher supervision[17][18]
  • Chess – Inter-School Chess Competition also in session.
  • Committees of Year 12 organisation – for collaborating the Year 12 Yearbook, Formal, Year 12 End of Year Video and Jerseys
  • School Bands – Beginner, Intermediate, Concert, Stage, String Ensemble, Choir[19]
  • Environment Team
  • Centenary School Scholarships - Senior, Intermediate and Junior categories
  • Department of Education's Great Schools Showoff short film competition - 2012 Sydney Regional winners and 2nd at State Finals
  • Chemistry Titration Competition
  • ICAS competitions
  • Rio Tinto Big Science Competition

The SRC also organise various activities throughout the year, including:

  • Pizza Day
  • Fashion Parade
  • Talent Quest
  • Family Feud (c. 2019)
  • Years 7-10 Scavenger Hunt

Sport

Tech is one of the 19 schools of the St. George Secondary Schools Sport Association,[20] participating in inter-school competitions for sports including:

Students also have the choice of participating in the following non-grade sports:

  • Squash
  • Fencing
  • Sailing
  • Fitness
  • Rotation
  • Tennis

Student life

Annual activities

The school's annual activities include:

  • The "Celebrity" Human Movement Challenge
  • Combined SRC Dance between Sydney Tech and St George Girls High School
  • Musicale (School bands, music student groups and soloists)
  • Senior Trivia Night (Prefecture)
  • Jorge Diaz Wombi Ball Cup (Prefecture)
  • SRC Week – Various activities such as Pizza Day, Talent Quest, Family Feud and Counter-Strike Competition
  • Year 10 Formal (Formal Committee)
  • Year 11 Social (Formal Committee)
  • Year 12 Formal (Formal Committee)
  • Annual Talent Quest
  • 40 Hour Famine
  • World's Greatest Shave
  • TechFest - Short film competition - Senior and Junior divisions
  • Tech Cup
  • Year 12 House Soccer Cup

Fundraising

Fundraising activities include:

  • Mufti Days (Interact team, SRC) – Mufti days and sausage sizzles are often held on the same day.
  • Charity Fundraising (Interact team on behalf of various charities).
  • Year 12 Fundraising – Various fundraising activities to raise funds for the year 12 gift to the school each year.

Prefects

As of 2008, the Prefect Body has been merged with the year 11 and 12 SRC members. The current system encompasses School Captain, Vice Captain, four Senior Prefects, an additional six Prefects from year twelve and another ten Prefects from year eleven. Senior Prefect roles and Captain roles are only available to holders of the school's Wykeham Award. The Vice-Captain chairs whole school assemblies. The Prefects of years 11 and 12 are responsible for canteen duties.

The SRC votes internally to determine the positions of the SRC president, the SRC vice-president and the SRC treasurer. The stated role of the SRC is to organize and raise funds for equipment and facilities for the school.[21]

House system

There has been a reintroduced house system, consisting of 6 houses. These correlate with the six Roll Call classes and are named, Williams, Turner, McMullen, MacKinnon, Broome and Gotto. The House Captains are elected from Years 10 and 12. The roll call classes are arranged according to the students' surnames. Students compete together in their houses at the Athletics carnivals, Cross country carnivals, and Swimming carnivals. The winning house is the one with the most points gathered from participating and placing in the top 3 in various carnival events, and receives a sausage sizzle at the end of the year.

Notable achievements

Australian Nuclear Science Competition

Sydney Technical High School won a competition that tested skills in a science and engineering challenge. Students competed in the regional competition at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) recently.

The event encouraged teenagers to get involved in maths and science and promote careers in the fields. Part of the challenge involved constructing a bionic hand. More than 250 year 9 and year 10 students from seven Sydney schools participated.[22]

Canberra Maths Day

173 year 12 students from 31 schools attended the 2014 Maths Day national finals. In teams of four the students took part in mathematical challenges designed to build teamwork skills and promote a love of maths. The day was divided into four challenges: a group of story problems, a Swiss 'find the rule' problem, a cross number puzzle and the day's highlight, the relay – a test of brainpower and physical stamina. 2nd prize was awarded to Sydney Technical High School and the competition is run annually by the Australian National University.[23]

Metropolitan Secondary Schools Chess Competition

In 2014, the senior division of the Metropolitan Secondary Schools Competition was won by Sydney Technical High School.[24]

Associated schools

St. George Girls High School is considered to be the female counterpart or 'sister school' of Sydney Technical High School, and often engages in Student Representative Council activities, as well as Combined Parents & Citizens meetings.[4]

The school has a relationship with Nanzan High School in Japan, with a two-week exchange program in place.[25]

Notable alumni

Alumni are referred to as Old Boys. Alumni are part of the “STHS Old Boys Union”.

Aviation
Entertainment and the arts
Politics, religion and law
Sport
Armed services
  • Air Vice Marshal Christopher Deeble AM, CSC[34]
  • Air Vice Marshal Ernest Hey CB, CBE[34]
  • Air Vice Marshal David Rogers[34]
  • Air Vice Marshal Kenneth Tuckwell[34]
  • Air Vice Marshal Sydney White AO[34]
Others

Notable teachers
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See also

References
  1. Rong, Eric. "An Insight into the History of Sydney Technical High School" (PDF). 2013_HighSchool_Rong_Eric.pdf. Eric Rong. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  2. "History of Sydney Technical High School". Sydney Technical High School. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  3. Rong, Eric. "An Insight into the History of Sydney Technical High School" (PDF). 2013_HighSchool_Rong_Eric.pdf. Eric Rong. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  4. P&C Association - Parent & Community Groups
  5. "Tech Talk - School Newsletter" (PDF). Sydney Technical High School. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  6. "School Profile 2018". My School. ACARA.
  7. "School Profile 2017". My School. ACARA. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  8. "School Profile 2018". My School. ACARA. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  9. "History of Sydney Technical High School". Sydney Technical High School.
  10. "Tech Talk - School Newsletter" (PDF). Sydney Technical High School. Sydney Technical High School. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  11. "School History". Sydney Technical High School. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  12. "Enrolment". Sydney Technical High School. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  13. "Welcome to Sydney Technical High School". Sydney Technical High School. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  14. "Sydney Technical High School 2010 Annual School Report" (PDF). 2.55 MB
  15. "Grand Challenge / Events & Locations / Science and Engineering Challenge / Community Engagement / Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment / Faculties & Schools / The University of Newcastle, Australia". Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Australia. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  16. "Memorial garden for former student Matthew Goodall". theleader.com.au. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  17. "St George Scripture". stgeorgescripture.org. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  18. "School Ministries". Scripture Union NSW. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  19. "2015 Annual Report" (PDF). Sydney Technical HS. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  20. "St. George Secondary Schools Sport Association". St. George Secondary Schools Sport Association. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  21. "Student Leadership". Sydney Technical High School. Sydney Technical High School. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  22. "They're a handy bunch at Sydney Technical High: bionic hand win skills challenge". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  23. Director. "ANU Maths Day 2014". MSI. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  24. "Metropolitan Secondary Schools Competition History". NSW Junior Chess League. NSW Junior Chess League. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  25. Lyons, J. "Sydney Technical High School Annual Report" (PDF). Sydney Technical High School.
  26. "School History" – Sydney Technical High School website, (retrieved 24 April 2009)
  27. "LOOSLEY, Stephen (1952– )Senator for New South Wales, 1990–95 (Australian Labor Party) | The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate". Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  28. "CARRICK, Sir John Leslie (1918–2018)Senator for New South Wales, 1971–87 (Liberal Party of Australia) | The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate". Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  29. "CHILDS, Bruce Kenneth (1934– )Senator for New South Wales, 1981–97 (Australian Labor Party) | The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate". Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  30. "Meet Scott Farlow". nsw.liberal.org.au. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  31. "Former NSW Labor MP Davoren dies". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  32. Lovell, David W., "Kamenka, Eugene (1928–1994)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 30 June 2019
  33. Withers, William. "Parliamentary history advisory committee" (PDF). Parliament of Western Australia.
  34. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 July 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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