Albury High School

Ad Astra Per Aspera - To the Stars Through Troubled Ways

History

Albury High School, as most other similar institutions in the State, developed from the District School. In 1912, under the headmastership of Mr H.C. Langley, so many pupils enrolled in the super-primary classes that the school was gazetted as a District School, with full provision for courses up to the Intermediate Examination. Scholars completing this course were compelled to go farther a field for higher education, and amongst those who went was the late Professor John Irvine Hunter. Later on the course was extended to include Leaving Certificate Examination subjects, and many students passed onto the Sydney University.

To meet the needs of country students the Girls' Hostel was purchased and local residents donated the adjoining block of land as a sports area. Towards the end of 1919 the secondary department was removed to temporary quarters in the old hospital buildings in Thurgoona Street, and there with Mr J. G. Monaghan, M.A., as its first principal, the Albury High School began its corporate life (1920).

The High School made good progress and by 1922 over 200 pupils were in attendance. Then in 1923 the government imposed fees on High school pupils, while the District School was raised in status to Albury Rural and Domestic Science School. Enrolments at the High School suffered and even in 1926 there were only 114 pupils. There was an important gain, however, in 1923, the P and C Association was established as a separate body, Mr F.J. Bellbridge being the first president.

The year 1928 saw the school accommodated in the new school in Kiewa Street. Erected at a cost of 26,137 pounds, the building was one of the most modern in the state (see pic on first page). The official opening on 28th March was performed by the then Minister of Education, the Hon. D.H.Drummond. A school fete and the public presentation of "Princess Chrysanthemum", a "Japanese Operetta", were features of the presentation.

By 1930 enrolments had increased to 397, with nearly one-third boarding in the town. So pressed for accommodation was the school that the classes were held in the assembly hall (now rooms 11, 12 and 13) and in the Headmaster's residence.

A decline in numbers in 1935 saw the school reduced in status to a Third Class High School. This regression was only temporary, for five years later it became a First Class High School with 494 on the roll, 30 being in the fifth year. In 1946 total enrolments reached 616 and the Boys' Hostel was opened. Today the maximum enrolment is 968, with the effective attendance 940.

This short summary has been concerned with physical growth rather than with the academic, social and cultural achievements of the High School. These, too, have been just as spectacular, but space does not permit of their treatment here. Perhaps mention should be made of the six headmasters who guided the school's activities during its first thirty eight years. They are:-

J.G. Monaghan, M.A.

1920-1926

J.W. Mann, B.A., Dip. Ed.

1927-1930

W. Roberts, B.A., Dip.Ed.

1931-1935

J.W. Willmont, B.Sc.

1936-1943

L.J. Eddy, M.A., Dip. Ed.

1944-1955

C.E. Biggers, B.A., Dip. Ed.

1956-1958

Since 1953...

More history can be gleaned from our archives. Please contact the school if you have an enquiry.

SCHOOL SONG WAR CRY

(1)
Its days may not be manifold;
Its students may be few;
But we have often shown the rest
What Albury can do.
We've shown it in the summer days
The willow meets the ball;
We've shown it on the football field
At the best High School of all.

Oompah, Oompah,
Yacki, Yacki, Oompah,
Bluemella, Bluemella, Yah, Yah, Yah;
Ego yah, ego yah,
Anargi, Popargi, Urananagi,
Albury High School, yah, yah, yah;
Pom-tita pom, pom-tita pom,
Hullah, hullah, umpah, hah,
Albury High School, yah, yah, yah.

Chorus
So sing until the rafters ring,
And ring again the call;
For it's your school and it's my school
And the best High School of all.

 

(2)
We'll show it in the classroom, too
When French comes round again;
And Mathematics makes us grind
And groan with mental pain.
We'll stick the torturing periods out,
And very seldom fail,
When once again exams arrive,
At the best High School of all.

 

(3)
The day will come when we shall leave
Its doors to come no more;
But we shall often live again
The days we spent of yore.
The days that seemed so tedious then
But now can never pall.
The days of work, the days of play 
At the best High School of all.

 

Chorus

Words by RC Wilkinson