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

History

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

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

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. The old vacated central business district site became a campus of the TAFE. The transition between the two locations lasted 2 years (1964–1966).

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

Leadership

Principals

The principals of Townsville State High School have included:

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

Students

Enrolments

Student enrolment trends
YearYearsBoysGirlsTotalRef
789101112
2010------369296665
2011------359275634
2012------363272635
2013------386288674
2014------382287669
2015------434318752
2016------413314727
2017------443316759
201815815114715775100452338790
201915115514415012870448350798
2020108150171160125108482400882
2021127166144153131102451372823
2022126125167147107112430354784
202312413714416111784427350777
2024161139145167167105456394850
2025TBATBATBATBATBATBATBATBATBA

Sports

Sporting Houses

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

Sports Houses
HouseColour
WarriorBlue
FaradayYellow
BrewerRed
NeedleGreen

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

Programs

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.

Notable alumni

See also

External links