Forest High School (New South Wales)

Infobox School
name = Forest High School

motto = "Spectemur Agendo" ("let us be judged by our actions")
established = 1961
type = Public, secondary
principal = Peter Gillam
enrolment = 625
grades = 7–12
colours = Green, Red, Gold
city = Frenchs Forest Road, Frenchs Forest, Sydney
state =
NSW
country = Australia
website = http://www.theforest-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

The Forest High School, (abbreviation TFHS) is a school located in Frenchs Forest Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on Frenchs Forest Road. It is a co-educational high school operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training with students from years 7 to 12. The school was established in 1961. Students at the school come from the Sydney and Northern Beaches regions.

History

The formation of The Forest High School was the result of a campaign by a representative body known as The Forest High School Promotion Committee formed on 1st November , 1958. The committee members were anxious to have established a co-educational high school that would cater for the educational needs of the suburbs of Frenchs Forest, Forestville, Beacon Hill and Terrey Hills¹.

On 31st January 1961 Stage One of the building was completed and The Forest High School opened for "education" with an initial enrolment of 318 students and a staff of 14 teachers under the principalship of Mr. E.G. Bell. The school motto "spectemur agendo" - let us be judged by our actions - was chosen by the pioneer students and staff. The school crest was designed by the art teacher.

By 1963 Stage Three of the building program was completed with the three major blocks and enrolments had increased to 963 students. This year also saw the completion of the Assembly Hall in time for the second annual Speech Night on the 9th April. In May of that year students presented audiences with the musical "Puss in Boots". The School magazine, "Yarrabee", was first issued in the same year.

By 1964 it was considered that the school had reached the level necessary for an official opening. This occurred on Saturday 24th October 1964. The opening was attended by Dr. Harold S. Wyndham CBE MA ED.D (Director-General of Education), Hon. Richard Healey MLA (Member for Wakehurst), Hon. Ernest Wetherell, MLA (Minister for Education) and was officially opened by His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales, Lieutenant-General Sir Eric Woodward KCMG KCVO CB CBE DSO.

The 1960s witnessed the beginnings of the musical program of The Forest High School with the formation of the school orchestra, band and choir. Debating and public speaking also started during this time.The Forest high won major trophies in 1963 for Inter Zone Junior in athletics and swimming. In 1969 D block and the gymnasium were opened to accommodate the growing number of students.The final stage of building was completed in 1976 with the opening of the Library.

Headmasters/Headmistresses

Extracurricular activities

The school has a GATS program, SRC and numerous sporting teams.

particularly strong in Music and offer students the opportunity to participate in the School's NSW Eisteddfod winning Bands, School Productions and the following Forest High groups: The Wind Orchestra, The Concert Band, The Senior & Junior Stage Bands, The Forest Vocal Ensemble, The Chamber Choir, and various Chamber Music Groups as well as the Rock Band program.

Notes

# This service area was later reduced due to the opening of Davidson High School (1972) and Killarney Heights High School (1967).

See also

* List of Government schools in New South Wales
* Frenchs Forest
* Warringah Council
* Electoral district of Wakehurst
* Division of Mackellar