History
1950’s | 1960’s | 1970’s | 1980’s | 1990’s | 2000’s
The Brighton High School Badge
A school badge consists of symbols all of which have a meaning and a purpose. The Brighton High School Badge incorporates an anchor and surround in the form of a rope, initial letters, motto and colours of the school.
This combination is symbolic of the school’s proximity to the sea and provides a challenge to all who are associated with the school to seek, strive or hold fast to the fine ideals which it portrays.
‘Fac optima bene’ – ‘Do the best things well’ – is a motto which should influence all who wish to build a school, rich in tradition and strong in its desire to develop just and honourable citizenship and all that is good in life.
If students build their lives around these ideals, they will mould strong characters for themselves.
They will be happy and useful in the service of their school, and when they grow up, in the service of the community of which they form a part.
1950’s
Opening of the School – 1952
In 1952 the school opened on February 12 with 11 foundation teachers and 155 first year students, 43 second year students and 21 Intermediate students. The upstairs classrooms had been hastily completed but downstairs the workmen were still hammering and sawing. The first Head Master was Mr S L Tregenza; Miss F M Nicholas was the first Senior Mistress; Mr J G Goldsworthy and Mr K L Berndt the first Senior Masters. The other staff members were Messrs D J H Manuel, B C James, and A G Lange; Misses N C B Bradley, M M Cornelius, M E Hodges, and Mrs M O Mildren.
Sporting competitions and the School War Cry
The first interstate interschool team sports competition was held in May 1956. The boys travelled by bus to Melbourne to compete against Coburg High School in tennis, baseball and football. Their bus broke down five miles out of Tintinara on the return journey and the group spent many cold hours going nowhere. The bus engine was eventually repaired and the boys arrived in Adelaide 24 hours after leaving Melbourne. The Brighton girl’s tennis, hockey, basketball and tennis teams competed against the Coburg girls at Brighton. To support this competition – and with the guidance of teacher and author Mr Colin Thiele – the prefects composed the school war-cry ‘Karanga, Karanga, Kara Kariboo’
Karanga, Karanga, Kara Kariboo
Wallaroo and Walrus, mighty ballyhoo.
First along the sea shore, first along the bay,
High School, Brighton, show the jolly way!
Clank her anchor, tidal banker, bang the booming bell,
Clink ‘em, sink ‘em, eat and drink ‘em, do the best things well
Gimble on the Gombo, Gimble on the gah,
Brighton High, Brighton High, Yah! Yah! Yah!
Sports Days
The first school Sports Day was held on September 3 1952 with competition between classes. The first House Sports Day was held on a wet and windy day on September 1 1953. Students had been allocated to the four Houses of Rapid and Cygnet (named after the two small ships that brought Colonel William Light and his team of surveyors to the new colony). Buffalo (named after the ship that brought Governor Hindmarsh and the first settlers to Adelaide) and Holdfast after the bay in which these ships had anchored. The house colours were chosen – blue, gold, purple and red for Buffalo, Cygnet, Holdfast and Rapid respectively. The first House Captains were Ian Comley and Kay Pritchard for Buffalo, Neil Pearce and Barbara Fielder for cygnet, J Olliver and Beatrix Gunther for Holdfast and Herb Driver and Kay Phillips for Rapid.
Hans Heysen donates Art work to the school
In 1955 Mr Tregenza was delighted to receive a letter from Hans Heysen which accompanied the donation of three charcoal drawings to the school library.
Mr Heysen made a further donation of artwork to the school in 1961.
1960’s
Swimming Carnivals at the City Baths
The swimming carnivals were held at the City Baths (where the Festival Centre Plaza in Adelaide is now located). Again the whole school was involved. The students and staff walked to the Hove railway station where they boarded a long train especially organised for the occasion, then walked to the City Baths to take part or watch the competition.
Cadets
The Brighton High School Cadet unit was commissioned in 1958 and continued at the school until 1968. Up to one hundred boys were involved each year and in 1960 the unit won the title of the 'Best High School Unit in Training’ – an honour which was again bestowed the following year. The boys were trained in discipline and precision, and wore military uniform. They spent their Wednesday afternoons learning military tactics, rifle shooting and other basic combat techniques. They had annual camps and bivouacs and staff were involved as commanding officers. During Anzac Day celebrations, and on many other special occasions at the school and in the community, the Cadets provided guards of Honour to mark the dignity of the occasion.
Brighton Boys Technical High School – the beginning
While Brighton High School was continuing to grow and develop its unique character during this decade, the Education Department of the time saw the need to build other schools which would provide education with a more technical and vocational emphasis. In the mid 1960’s more land in the Brighton area was procured, and building commenced on what was to be a new, exciting Technical Boys High School. 1967 saw the official opening of Brighton Boys Technical High School under the enthusiastic leadership of Mr Bryce Saint.
School Assemblies
Meanwhile at Brighton High School school assemblies were still held outdoors in the quadrangle. Each school day began with everyone lining up in their allocated class space in the quadrangle, before moving off to their rooms. When longer assemblies occurred, each student and staff member had to carry a chair into the quadrangle and once again sit in rows in their correct class line. The movement was always very methodical and very efficient.
1970’s
The New Hall is built
The 1970’s saw many changes in the buildings of Brighton High School. After years of campaigning by the Parents and Friends and School Council the new hall was constructed during 1970 and opened on 23 July 1971. It was to become a focal point for the social and dramatic experiences of the students during the rest of the decade. Also opened in 1971 was the new Resource Centre on the southern side of the school. It replaced a crowded library facility with one of the best equipped structures of its time.
Mawson High School – more changes
By contrast Brighton Boys Technical High School underwent great change during the seventies when under government policy in 1975 the school became co-educational. With the admission of girls came changes in uniform, attitudes, staff and the school’s name – to Mawson High School. With a total of about 680 students, including the sixty girls who enrolled in year 8, the school became a fully comprehensive co-educational high school for the first time.
Many of the larger trees on the Mawson grounds were planted during the late 70’s as part of a special Grounds Development program, and the Mawson and Daylesford High School (in Victoria) Interstate Student Exchange Program commenced. A Work Experience Program also became a regular feature of the Mawson school curriculum, and the Chambers Gorge camp in the Flinders Ranges had become an annual event from 1974.
1976- Special Interest Music Programme begins
A new era for Brighton High School began in 1976. The School had a new Principal, Mr R M Farrow and a new focus with the establishment of the Special Interest Music Centre. With a new music staff- Mr Neville Hannaford as Head of Music and three classroom staff including Mr Jeffrey Kong, the School developed a culture of excellence in secondary music education – a lighthouse for music.
Many of the now long-standing traditions at Brighton were instigated in the early years of the Music Centre. The String Orchestra had early success at the Festival of Music, its highly acclaimed performances at the ASME Conference in Canberra in 1977 and the Adelaide Festival in 1978. The developing Choral Program matched this success. By 1979, Junior Choirs and the Senior Choir had won first place in the Adelaide Eisteddfod Choral Competitions. The Festival of Lessons and Carols was first held in 1978 and the first Band Night in 1979.
At first, the Music Centre was housed in the wooden transportable music suite. The Minister of Education, the Honourable Don Hopgood in 1977 opened the more permanent extensions in 1977.
Early Success in Music
During the early years of the Music Centre, state and national recognition enhanced the reputation of the School. Individual students also excelled in the Australian Music Examinations Board examinations and results in the Public Examinations Board examinations were outstanding.
Not only did music flourish, but also the School began a period of growth. Brighton High School, on a very small property and initially with a declining student population, with many competing schools in the South West Corner at the time, gradually built its numbers from 1967. Music became a stabilising and successful focus at the school.
1980’s
Vocational Awareness at Mawson High School
Vocational Awareness Courses at Mawson were given a further boost through a special grant in 1981 to enable the introduction of skills based courses with an emphasis on high standards of practical skills, adding a new dimension to curriculum at Mawson. Drama was also encouraged through theatre workshops and the Footlights Club, and the concert band was popular with music students. Forum was the student representative group at Mawson which was run by an Executive committee of enthusiastic students, and was responsible for organising socials and staff versus students sporting competitions.
The Resource Centre and Computing Club
In the early 80’s the Resource Centre was the most modern building in the school, boasting a pleasant environment with hanging baskets, mobiles, displays of student work, bean bags for the students to sit on, and lunch time entertainment which included games to play and television programmes to watch.
The Computing club which was established at Brighton High School in 1982 was very proud of its two APPLE computers. They hoped that these facilities would be improved!
The Special Interest Music Programme
The Special Interest Music Centre at Brighton High School in the 1980’s built on its initial successes. The decade was characterised by growth in student numbers, consolidation of programmes, initiatives in music education and outstanding musical achievement.
Choral music was the core activity – all music students received weekly choral ensemble lessons. Choirs from Brighton dominated the Adelaide Eisteddfod Choral Competitions. In 1981 Brighton Choirs were first prize winners in both the Senior and Junior Sections and this remained the trend for the rest of the decade.
In 1986, The Concert Choir was formed and it was successful from the outset with first place in the Adelaide Eisteddfod. In 1988, the Concert Choir was selected to perform at the International Society for Music Education (ISME) in Canberra and was received with much critical acclaim. This was Brighton’s first excursion onto the international stage. Nationally, the Choir toured in Tasmania in 1989.
Opening of the Hudson Room
The Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols outgrew St Peter’s Church, Glenelg and transferred to St Peter’s Cathedral in 1984. Brighton Choirs performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
The Band Programme made huge advances in the 1980’s. The Senior Concert Band travelled to Ballarat for the prestigious Sir Arthur Nicholson Competition at South Street in 1982 (3rd prize). 1983 (2nd prize) and then 1984 (1st prize). The band won the competition again in 1987. The Band was also successful in the National Band Championships in Melbourne in 1985 and 1990.
The String Orchestra/Chamber Orchestra also received National recognition at the Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) Conference in Melbourne in 1981, the National Band and Orchestra Clinic in Melbourne in 1986 and 1st prizes at the South Street competitions in Ballarat in 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990.
The Brighton High School Stage Band was established in 1983. The first Decibel Day was held in 1989 and choirs regularly performed at Carols by the Sea from 1988. The 10th Anniversary Concert of the Music Centre was held in the Elder Hall, University of Adelaide, in 1986.
The late 1980’s will be remembered for the demolition of the 1977 brick Music Centre, the re-location to “The Village” and then the opening of the re-development in 1989. This was celebrated by a memorable concert and naming of the Hudson Room by Hugh Hudson, Minister of Education at the time, whose vision saw the establishment of the Special Interest Music Centre at Brighton High School.
1990’s
The 40th Birthday of Brighton High School
The 1990’s was a period of considerable historic change for all schools. The new South Australian Certificate of Education (S.A.C.E.) was introduced to significantly effect the delivery of senior school courses across the State and at both schools important curriculum change was inevitable. In 1992 Brighton High School celebrated its 40th Birthday and a representative group from the Special Interest Music Centre planned its first overseas tour of England, Scotland and Germany to leave in February of 1993.
The 25th Birthday of Mawson High School
Mawson High School also celebrated the 25th Anniversary of education on its site recognising the commencement of Brighton Boys Technical High School in 1967. At a special Open day on Saturday 19th September 1992 Mr Bryce Saint the first Principal of Brighton Boys Technical High School unveiled a plaque to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the school. This event was followed by a dinner dance at which many tales of events and people were enjoyed.
The amalgamation process commences
It is perhaps ironic then that during 1992 a specially established Brighton-Mawson Forward Planning Group recommended that the two schools amalgamate. This recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the Education Department who formally decreed that Brighton High and Mawson High Schools were to merge. This process necessarily involved the bringing together of two successful schools – each with their own strengths, traditions and proud advocates of their own heritage, curriculum people and routines. To capitalise on the strengths of each school, to maintain a quality education programme for all its students and to make the most effective use of the resources available were the major objectives of the amalgamation. Many meetings occurred between the decision making groups of the schools including School Councils, Principals, staff, student representative groups, canteen, Resource Centres, support staff, Uniform committees, and other interested parties.
1994 – The first year of Brighton Secondary School
Under the leadership of Mr Gary Nicol at Brighton, and Mr Graham Gamble and Mr Les Johnson at Mawson the official amalgamation processes commenced. With the appointment of Ms Nancy Schupelius as Principal of the newly amalgamated school in July of 1993 the process gained further impetus. In 1994 the first official year of Brighton Secondary School began successfully under Ms Schupelius’ leadership. “Many individuals and groups have worked tirelessly this year to enable us to build our school upon the firm foundations of the previous Brighton and Mawson High Schools. Through the combined efforts of students, parents and staff, we have strengthened traditions and have created new features for our school … We are privileged to be part of a school community which is able to support the levels of change and development that have been required this year.” Mr Paul Smith the School Council Chairperson and Ms Judy Angus the President of the Parents and Friends Association also provided strong leadership with their respective committees to bring about harmonious changes and to involve the wider community.
On the Brighton campus the new buildings to house the Science, Music, English, Mathematics, Art and Business faculties had just been completed and through the closer links with Mawson High School expanded curriculum offerings were explored and became a reality for the school. Students continued to travel between the two campuses for a total of five years, with junior school students undertaking most of their studies on the Mawson site, and senior students mostly based on the Brighton Campus. Harried bus trips between the two campuses by students and staff were often a feature of the day, and the phasing out of “old” uniforms while bringing in the new gave a sometimes motley appearance to the students in the yard.
“Do All Things Well” – New Motto and Logo
During 1994 the new school logo and motto were developed. The School Identity Task Group lead by Mr Des Speight and the new School Council discussed several options, while the Art Co-ordinator Mr Peter Congdon designed the new logo. Peter explained the design of the logo thus: “To me the lines are waves not only of the salty type but waves of energy and communication. The circle may well be the sun, the universe, the community or a goal”. The latin motto ‘Fac Omnia Bene’ (Do All Things Well) as an adaptation of the BHS ‘Fac Optima Bene’ motto was overwhelmingly preferred by students, staff and parents. Its message of “Do Your Best” would foster the continued pursuit of excellence throughout the school, and the colours of Blue, Green and Gold were chosen to represent the new school. The structure of the Student Representative group was formed to retain the Prefect system of the Brighton model whilst blending in the strengths of the more participation orientated Mawson ‘Forum’ system. The house colours and names of the former Brighton High School were also retained and continue to be important avenues for students to pursue leadership and participation opportunities, as well as to provide structure for Sports Days and other competitions.
Special Interest Volleyball Programme commences
1994 also saw the official designation of the school as a Special Interest Volleyball School. Under the initial guidance of Mr Kym Foot during the 80’s and early 90’s the program had gradually emerged as one of excellence on a national basis, and later with the appointment of Mr John Tiver as the coordinator of the program it has flourished further to promote the holistic development of elite young sportspeople as well as whole school spirit and identity. The trip to the National Schools Competition in Canberra and now Melbourne each year continues to be a highlight for the programme.
Official Opening Ceremony and dedication of the buildings
1997 – The first year of Brighton Secondary School on one site, began with a flurry of moving and organising activities. Later in the year on November 7 an Open Day was held to ‘Celebrate the Past, Present and Future’. An official Opening Ceremony was held in the School Hall to name and dedicate the new buildings and the three major areas of the school. The Spence Centre includes the original buildings of the school and Spence Hall was named after Catherine Helen Spence teacher, writer, and social and political reformer. The second phase of buildings at the school which houses Art, Science, Music, English, Mathematics and Business Studies is now known as the Dallwitz Centre after Mr David Dallwitz AO – artist, poet and musician who has a long standing connection with the Brighton Community and the school. The newest buildings of the school on the western side of the main building are now know as the Mawson Centre, in recognition of Sir Douglas Mawson, geologist and explorer and academic at the University of Adelaide, as well as a tribute to the amalgamation of the two schools.
2000’s
25th Anniversary of the Special Interest Music Centre
To mark the beginning of the new Millennium, the Lions Club of Brighton opened a time capsule which was laid in 1975. Among the documents and memorabilia was a letter written by the then Deputy Principal of Brighton High School, Miss Dulcie Perry. Miss Perry’s letter provided an overview of curriculum, student activities and facilities at the time as well as the imminent establishment in 1975 of the Special Interest Music Centre. The huge differences in many areas of the school became apparent. Unfortunately Miss Perry passed away in1999 but she would have been delighted in June of 2000 to attend the 25th Anniversary Concert of the Special Interest Music Program, held to celebrate the successes of 25 years of music education and excellence at the school. The remarkable commitment of Mr Neville Hannaford as Head of the Music Centre during this time, as well as the dedication and leadership of Mr Jeffrey Kong who was first appointed as a teacher in the Centre in 1976 and continues as the Co-ordinator of Music were also acknowledged at the Concert.
The Concert Choir in Europe
The Concert Choir travelled to Europe in 2000 for its third Concert Tour to England and Italy. As on the two previous occasions, the Choir was received with much critical acclaim. Two CD’s were released containing highlights of this Tour. The Choir performed in the Adelaide Festival in 2002 – The Second Hurricane by Aaron Copland with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Special Programmes and Broader Curriculum
The Special Interest Volleyball and Music programmes continue to attract and cater for the needs of elite students in their specific areas of study, while sport and student leadership are encouraged through a wide range of activities. The year of the Sydney Olympics took everyone’s attention in September 2000. A group of Special Interest Volleyball students and staff attended the Olympics as volunteers for the Beach Volleyball Competition. Bea Daly (Women’s Indoor Volleyball) and Chris Rae (Men’s Weightlifting) both graduates of Brighton Secondary School, participated as athletes. The Special Interest Volleyball Program has achieved remarkable success in its first eight years. It has dominated at state and national competitions, culminating in December 2001 with winning the Australian Schools Championship.
School Facilities and Programmes
Fee paying International students have become a small but important feature of the student cohort. Visits by schools from overseas have also become a regular feature of the school calendar. The school’s facilities and resources are envied by many. The Brighton Sound House, Technology Centre and Home Economics areas boast state of the art equipment and programmes. Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is an annual event, and Pedal Prix has re-emerged as an interest for a significant group of students and staff. The school’s curriculum reflects a global awareness and increased community involvement through the extensive use of Information Communication Technologies and enhanced access to vocational and enterprise programmes. Languages studied include Japanese, French and German and a number of students combine courses of study from other schools and institutions with their mainstream studies at Brighton Secondary School.
This page is a summary of the school history book. If you are interested in the complete works the book can be purchased for $20 by contacting friends@brightonss.sa.edu.au
