Townsville State High School

State secondary day school in Railway Estate, Australia

Townsville State High School

Address

36 Boundary Street

Railway Estate

4812

Australia[1][2]

Coordinates| 18°16′22″S 146°48′40″E﻿ / ﻿18.27278°S 146.81111°E﻿ / -18.27278; 146.81111
Information
Type| State secondary day school
Motto| Latin: In Meliora Contende
(Strive for better things)
Established| 1924[1][3]
Principal| Murray James
Years| Year 7 – Year 12
Gender| Coeducational
Enrolment| 850[4] (August 2024)
Language| English
Houses| Warrior, Faraday, Brewer, Needle
Colour(s)| Blue, yellow, red, green (In order of above)
Website| townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au

Townsville State High School, also colloquially known as Town High,[1] is a secondary school in Railway Estate, Townsville (Queensland, Australia),[2] an area administered by Townsville City Council.[5][1]

## History

[edit]

Townsville Technical College - Front view (Stanley Street, Townsville)

Townsville State High School was established in 7 July 1924[1] as part of the Townsville Technical College (TAFE) at the northwest corner of Stanley and Walker Streets in Townsville's central business district.[1]

Townsville Technical College - Side view (Stanley Street, Townsville)

In 1965, the High School was re-located to its current Railway Estate address, the site of the then recently established Ross River State High School, with Ross River students being incorporated into the Townsville State High School student records.[6][1][7] The old vacated central business district site became a campus of the TAFE.[1] The transition between the two locations lasted 2 years (1964–1966).[7]

Townsville State High School (Current South Townsville location) in 1965

## Leadership

[edit]

### Deputy Principals

[edit]

Doris Camp, one of the deputy principals of the school, was the first female to be appointed as a deputy principal by the Queensland Department of Education.[8]

### Principals

[edit]

The principals of Townsville State High School have included:

Summary of Principals  Tenure  | Principal  | Subsequent Role  | Ref

|
|
|

Initial year  | Final year
January 2024  | Current  | Murray I. James  |  | [9][10]
September 2023  | January 2024  | Tanya Nelson (Stand in)  |
October 2015  | September 2023  | Robert J. Slater  | Spinifex State College and then William Ross State High School | [9][11][12][13]
January 2014  | September 2015  | Francis Greene (Acting)  | Retired  | [9][11][14]
July 2012  | December 2013  | Scott J. Stewart  | Member for Townsville | [9]
February 2012  | July 2012  | Kaylene M. Mladenovic (Acting)  |  | [9]
January 2007  | February 2012  | Scott J. Stewart | Member for Townsville | [9][15]
April 2006  | December 2006  | Walter Mark (acting)  |  | [9]
January 2003  | April 2006  | Ian Smythe  | Chief Executive for Townsville Crocodiles | [9][16][17]
January 1989  | December 2002  | William H.L. Sperring  |  | [9]
January 1987  | December 1988  | Robert G. Guthrie  |  | [9]
January 1979  | December 1986  | Barry L. Molloy  |  | [9]
July 1977  | December 1978  | John J. O’Brien  |  | [9]
February 1977  | June 1977  | Daryl J. Hanly (Acting)  |  | [9]
January 1967  | December 1970  | Percy C. Proctor  |  | [9]
August 1966  | December 1966  | Neville J. Corfield (Acting)  |  | [9]
January 1965  | August 1966  | Trevor C. Baker-Funch  |  | [9]
January 1964  | December 1964  | Eric K. Haughton  |  | [9]
City to South Townsville Relocation
January 1964  | December 1964  | George R. Herring (Ross River State High School's year 8 only)  |  | [9]
January 1962  | December 1963  | Gavin Semple  |  | [9][18]
January 1958  | December 1961  | Victor G. Honour  |  | [9][18]
January 1955  | December 1957  | Cecil R. Roberts  |  | [9]
January 1948  | December 1954  | Eric G. Gee  |  | [9]
July 1945  | December 1947  | Frederick H. Cafferky  |  | [9]
January 1944  | June 1945  | S. Hosking (Acting)  |  | [18]
January 1938  | December 1943  | William A. Viggers  |  | [9]
July 1924  | December 1937  | David C. Hamilton  |  | [9][18]

## Students

[edit]

### Enrolments

[edit]

Student enrolment trends  Year  | Years  | Boys  | Girls  | Total  | Ref

|
|
|
|
|

7  | 8  | 9  | 10  | 11  | 12
2010  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 369  | 296  | 665  | [19]
2011  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 359  | 275  | 634  | [20]
2012  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 363  | 272  | 635  | [21]
2013  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 386  | 288  | 674  | [22]
2014  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 382  | 287  | 669  | [23][24]
2015  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 434  | 318  | 752  | [25][26]
2016  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 413  | 314  | 727  | [27][28]
2017  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 443  | 316  | 759  | [29][30]
2018  | 158  | 151  | 147  | 157  | 75  | 100  | 452  | 338  | 790  | [31][32]
2019  | 151  | 155  | 144  | 150  | 128  | 70  | 448  | 350  | 798  | [33][34]
2020  | 108  | 150  | 171  | 160  | 125  | 108  | 482  | 400  | 882  | [35][36]
2021  | 127  | 166  | 144  | 153  | 131  | 102  | 451  | 372  | 823  | [37][38]
2022  | 126  | 125  | 167  | 147  | 107  | 112  | 430  | 354  | 784  | [39][40]
2023  | 124  | 137  | 144  | 161  | 117  | 84  | 427  | 350  | 777  | [41][42]
2024  | 161  | 139  | 145  | 167  | 167  | 105  | 456  | 394  | 850  | [4]
2025  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  | TBA  |

## Sports

[edit]

### Sporting Houses

[edit]

There are currently four houses at the school named after reefs off the Queensland coast:

Sports Houses  House  | Colour

|

Warrior  |   Blue
Faraday  |   Yellow
Brewer  |   Red
Needle  |   Green

In previous years, there were two additional houses; "Keeper" and "Centipede". House colours changed commonly at that point.

### Programs

[edit]

Town High is known for its Basketball program called the Town High Tropics. Town High has been involved in many programs such as jump rope for heart, Clean Up Australia day, Optiminds, Young Diplomats Program, ANZAC day march, Shave for a Cure, New Zealand ski trip, star struck, Inspiring Young Australians, CREST, Japan tour and hosting with the sister school Matsudo Mabashi as well as an "Energy Farm" that helps supply energy to the library. Town High also has an extensive science program and a vertical curriculum allowing students to undertake subjects above their year level at their knowledge level.[43][44][45][46]

## Notable alumni

[edit]

* Julian Assange, WikiLeaks co-founder, attended Townsville State High School.[47]

## See also

[edit]

* Queensland portal

* Education in Queensland
* History of state education in Queensland
* List of schools in Greater Brisbane
* List of schools in Queensland
* Lists of schools in Australia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Townsville High School". Townsville City Council (www.townsville.qld.gov.au). Archived from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
2. ^ a b "Contact us". Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Archived from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
3. ^ "National Education Directory of Australia - 2025 Edition (www.education.net.au)". Archived from the original on 25 August 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
4. ^ a b "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2024". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
5. ^ "Appendix A - Maps of Council's Electoral Divisions for 2020 Elections" (PDF). Townsville Council (www.townsville.qld.gov.au). p. 13\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
6. ^ "Townsville Technical College (former)(Block A, City Campus, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE) (entry 602158)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
7. ^ a b "History". Townsville State High School (www. townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
8. ^ "41 Years teaching". Townsville Bulletin. 1978. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025 – via Facebook.
9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Untitled". I Grew Up In Townsville Page. 12 October 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025 – via Facebook.
10. ^ "Our staff". Townsville City Council (www.townsville.qld.gov.au). Archived from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
11. ^ a b "Newsletter September 2015" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). 2 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
12. ^ Nicholls, Matt (22 January 2025). "New Spinifex principal settling into Mount Isa". North West Weekly (www.northwestweekly.com.au). Archived from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
13. ^ "We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Rob Slater as the new permanent Principal of William Ross State High School!". William Ross State High School (wwwm.williamrossshs.eq.edu.au). 20 January 2025. Archived from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025 – via Instagram.
14. ^ "2013 School Annual Report" (PDF). Townsville State High School. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
15. ^ "2012 School Annual Report" (PDF). Townsville State High School. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
16. ^ "Ian Smythe | Director – Education and Training TAFE Queensland North". Duo Magazine (www.duomagazine.com). 1 December 2015. p. 105\. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
17. ^ "Business at Breakfast with Ian Smythe, CEO with the Townsville McDonalds Crocodiles". My Game Day (www.websites.mygameday.app. Archived from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
18. ^ a b c d Semple, Gavin (1962). "Principal's Page". Townsville State High School Magazine. p. 4\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
19. ^ "Our school at a glance" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 1 January 2011. p. 4\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
20. ^ "Queensland State School Reporting – 2011 | Townsville State High School (2100)" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 1 January 2012. p. 4\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
21. ^ "Townsville State High School (2100) | Queensland State School Reporting | 2012 School Annual Report" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 30 June 2013. p. 3\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
22. ^ "Townsville State High School | Queensland State School Reporting | 2013 School Annual Report" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 27 June 2014. p. 3\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
23. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2014". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
24. ^ "Townsville State High School | Queensland State School Reporting | 2014 School Annual Report" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 26 June 2015. p. 3\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
25. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2015". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
26. ^ "Townsville State High School | Queensland State School Reporting | 2015 School Annual Report" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 21 June 2016. p. 4\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
27. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2016". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
28. ^ "Townsville State High School | 2016 | Annual Report | Queensland State School Reporting" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 15 June 2017. p. 6\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
29. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2017". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
30. ^ "Townsville State High School | 2017 | Annual Report | Queensland State School Reporting" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 15 June 2018. p. 7\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
31. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2018". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
32. ^ "Townsville State High School | Annual Report | 2018 | Queensland State School Reporting" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 22 May 2020. p. 8\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
33. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2019". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
34. ^ "Townsville State High School | Annual Report | 2019 | Queensland State School Reporting" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 22 June 2020. p. 2\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
35. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2020". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
36. ^ "Townsville State High School | School annual report | Queensland state school reporting | 2020" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 15 June 2021. p. 2\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
37. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2021". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
38. ^ "Townsville State High School | School annual report | Queensland state school reporting | 2021" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 3 June 2022. p. 2\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
39. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2022". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
40. ^ "Townsville State High School | School annual report | Queensland state school reporting | 2022" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 2 June 2023. p. 2\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
41. ^ "Townsville State High School, Railway Estate, QLD -> 2023". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
42. ^ "Townsville State High School | School annual report | Queensland state school reporting | 2023" (PDF). Townsville State High School (www.townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au). Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training. 7 June 2024. p. 2\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
43. ^ Town High Times 2007
44. ^ Townsville State High School
45. ^ Town High Times 2006
46. ^ Town High Times 2005
47. ^ "Jeremy Geia first Australian to interview Assange". Gilimbaa. 24 October 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* Townsville State High School
* Townsville City Council
* Queensland Department of Education
* Australian Department of Education