Pine Rivers SHSSchoolHistoryPine Rivers District State High School 1964

Pine Rivers District State High School 1964

Pine Rivers District State High School commenced instruction in 1964 with 250 students in Grade 8 and 9. Locals called it Strathpine High School for awhile possibly because of Strathpine Primary School on the other side of Gympie Rd which had been there since 1911. The classes for that year were 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 9A, 9B, 9C1, 9C2 and 9D. Instruction began in the first two buildings on the site in A and B block. B block was and still is the Manual Arts centre. During the course of its first year of operation C and D blocks were built. Classes were sometimes held in unfinished rooms. Home Science facilities were nonexistent so students were bussed to Petrie where a kitchen and sewing room were available.

The original school office is now occupied by the Business & Information Technology Staffroom and A5, the computer technicians work room. The school had no secretary but possessed some office staff and one telephone which was zealously guarded by the first Principal Mr. Kemp. Organising sport or excursions often had to be done while the 'boss' was out. The main entrance to the school was from Gympie Rd and remained so until the 1978. Without a hall the school adjourned to the Kallangur Picture Theatre for its First Annual Speech Night.

Pine Rivers District State High School was officially opened later in its first year on the 10th October, 1964 by the Honourable  D. E. Nicholson MLA. The day was celebrated with a Fete. The plaque commemorating the opening surrounded by the Australian flag and the Union Jack on the day is now located in the public entrance of the Administration building. 1964 School Staff: Principal - Mr. W. L. Kemp. Academic - Mr. R. D. Boyce, Mr. O. D. Brooker, Mr. C. F. Jentz, Mr. R. A. Smith, Mr. B. T. Versace, Miss M. E. McHardie, Miss D. M. Tweddell, Mr. H. A. Whitehead. Industrial - Mr. E. G. Cooper, Mr. W. Nason. Commercial - Miss M. D. Window. Home Science - Mrs. M. J. Matthews, Miss E. Milfull. Janitor - Mr C. Bell. Cleaner - Mrs. I. J. Kennedy.

Parents' and Citizens Association: President - Mr. A Raynbird. Treasurer - Mr. A. J. Dunstan. Secretary - Mrs. J. Rudd.

"Teachers' dress was different in those days - dark grey trousers, white shirt , dark tie, black shoes. We all signed on each morning and off each afternoon. No one dared arrive after 8:00 am or leave before 3:30 pm." - Rick Boyce.

References: 

1. Ed. N. Biggs, L. Hunter, C. Burton, J. Thompson, D. Simpson. "Pine River State High School Silver Jubilee 1964 - 1989"   Pine Rivers SHS. 1989
2. "First Annual Speech Night and Presentation of Prizes"  Program. Pine Rivers District State High School. 1964

7th December 2007