Centenary a high point for school

Jessica Benton
WHILE Victorian students lamented the start of the first term of the year last week, Geelong’s oldest state secondary school celebrated a milestone.
Geelong High Principal David Whelan said the school notched up its centenary in 2010.
“It’s a huge achievement for us to be celebrating the centenary year and to be so highly regarded in the community as a leader in state education,” he said.
“It’s a great thing we’ve come this far.”
Mr Whelan said Geelong High was region’s the oldest state secondary school on its original site for students aged over 14 years.
The school was established in 1910 with classes at Geelong’s Gordon Institute of TAFE before relocation to its existing location at the corner of Ryrie and Garden streets, East Geelong, in 1915.
Around 900 students now study in years from seven to 12.
Mr Whelan said the school had expanded over its 10decades, purchasing an adjacent former Shenton Methodist Church residence and hall in 1994 for a performing arts precinct.
Other recent additions included a new gymnasium, a woodwork and metal block and a science and biology wing.
Mr Whelan said official centenary celebrations would begin in October.