Wahroonga Public School

Wahroonga Public School is a public school located in Wahroonga, New South Wales and is known as "The Bush School".

Wahroonga Public School
Location
Sydney
,
New South Wales

Australia
Information
TypePublic, comprehensive primary, Independent
MottoLatin: Ad summa
(To the highest)
Established26 May 1944
PrincipalAllison Filipic
Enrolment750+
CampusHigh Blue Gum Forest
Colour(s)Green, yellow, purple
SloganThe Bush School
Websitewahroonga-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

History

The school opened in 1944 when parental groups brought the need for a school in the area to the attention of council members and other community groups. It is the only primary school in Sydney with 2 swimming pools. When the school first opened, it had 11 students, and one teacher/principal. The school celebrated its 60th birthday in 2004.[1] The school continues to grow. In 2007, the school was one of the few schools in the state to increase enrolments.[2] In 2018, they are celebrating the school's 75th birthday.

Over the years, Wahroonga Public School gained many more pupils, increasing to over 700 students in the mid-1990s. The number has fallen to just above 700 students in recent times. Jenny Ryan was appointed as principal in 1997 and eventually left the school in 2003, continuing her career at another school. During her time as principal, she was awarded the "State Government Community Service Award".[3] Graham Hill was principal from 2004 to mid-2010, succeeded by John Benton. The vice-principal is Leonie Hibbert and searching for new vice principal, and the substitute vice-principal, in case of absence of both principals mentioned above, is Jennifer Flynn. Each year, the school appoints 10 student leaders. Five boys and five girls lead the school while participating in extra jobs to ensure day-to-day life around the school runs smoothly. Two school captains, two vice-captains and three prefects of both genders take on these roles. Hill made the news in 2004 when he "auctioned" his parking space at the school to raise much needed money for blinds, vents and roof insulation for the kindergarten classrooms at the school.[4]

In 2006, the school's new sports grounds was opened by the Australian Defence minister Brendan Nelson.[5] In the same year, the school community raised over $8000 towards a life saving operation for a kindergarten pupil who attended the school. The toddler also appeared on the "Today" television show to raise more money for the operation.[6]

Extracurricular opportunities

The school is well known for its music program, run by Anne Seaeugubway (Seage) (2000 – present). It has five bands: Beginner Band, Junior Band, Intermediate Band, Concert Band, and a Stage Band (Jazz Band). Each year the bands win prizes at various competitions, such as the Yamaha Music Festival held annually at Willoughby Town Hall, Chatswood, New South Wales. The Bands are conducted by Tim Ferrier, Abbey and Mark Barnsley (coke). These bands play at an extremely high standard for a public school and take tremendous pride in their winnings at the various competitions they succeed in every year. In 2002 the school was selected by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for an e-Learning Project. As part of the project, computer equipment was purchased for the installation of an intranet to facilitate learning. The school participates in the Kuring-Gai PSSA tournament in football, AFL, and netball. Most notably, in 2017, the boy's football team, Captained by Charlie Helps and Elliot Kerr made the grand final to play against Turramurra Public. Unfortunately the season ended on a defeat despite fantastic coaching from David Steel. Goalkeeper Manas Bansal played an extraordinary season playing a crucial role in getting the boys to the final. The AFL team played consistently well every year. Joshua Hegarty and Luka Vozella played key roles in their team scoring masses of points every game. It is also one of the few public schools in New South Wales to have a swimming program, which runs over the summer holidays. Swimming lessons are also provided weekly, at the school to its year 1-6 students.[7]

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References
  1. "School steps back in time" Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate 12 June 2006
  2. Anna Patty "Enrolments rise in some public schools" Sydney Morning Herald 9 March 2007
  3. http://www.northerndistricttimes.com.au/article/2008/07/02/2313_news.html
  4. Julie Huffer, "The cool principal - Parking space sold to help fund classroom ventilation" Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 4 November 2004
  5. "Wahroonga synthetic turf grant" Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate (Australia) 2 November 2006
  6. "From the Heart" Danielle Long. 23 August 2006 http://www.hornsbyadvocate.com.au/article/2006/08/23/650_news.html
  7. http://about.commbank.com.au/group_display/0,1922,CH2700%255FTS9920,00.html

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