NameWarilla High SchoolTypeBuildingSchoolGeolocation[1] DescriptionWarilla High School was never officially opened. The school was housed temporarily at Oak Flats High School in its first year 1965 because the planning and buildings were behind schedule. The student number at establishment was approximately 150 students. There were four classes, a general class and a composite class with some students from Oak Flats High.
Firstly there were six staff appointed to Warilla High in 1965. John Childs was appointed as the Senior Teacher. He was also the HSIE/PE teacher. Also appointed were English, Mathematics, Science, Industrial Arts and Librarian teachers. The first Principal was Mr Gordon Brown and the first Deputy Principal was Mr William Leyshon who returned to the school as Principal in 1973.
The original school uniform evolved from the uniforms of the feeder primary schools. It consisted of a yellow tie, yellow blouse and brown box pleated uniform for girls while the boys had a yellow tie, blue shirt and grey pants.
School buildings consisted of A block containing the library and only staffroom for 20 + staff. The staffroom is now a deputy’s office. B block with general and Industrial Art classrooms and the Canteen. D block was not completed and E block had not yet been built.
The school emblem was designed by an Art teacher in consultation with the Oak Flats High Principal. Originally it was suggested with the motto be written in Latin but the English version “Seek Knowledge and Truth” was decided upon. The palm tree illustrated was common to the area west of Shellharbour Road (now covered by houses). Originally there were three shells on the emblem representing the three areas from which students came to Warilla High School – Warilla, Lake South and Windang. The three shells later became three stars.
Warilla had both a school song and a War Cry used to encourage students in sporting events. The tower in the main squad has a bell at the top which was rung at the end of each period. However by the second year, many neighbours who were shift workers complained of its noise so it was no longer used and an internal bell system was introduced. Until then a metal bar was used on the grill of the canteen area as an interim bell.
Warilla High School Today: Warilla High School has an enrolment of 1161 students with 82.4 teachers and another 25 support staff. Mr Glen Isemonger was appointed Principal at the start of the 2009 school year and is Warilla High Schools seventh Principal.
Article contributed by Warilla High School Principal, 2009.
