Granville Boys High School
Granville Boys High School is a single-sex secondary day school, located at Granville a suburb in Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.
Granville Boys High School[1] (abbreviated as GBHS) is an academically selective and comprehensive senior secondary day school for 530 boys, 99% of whom are from non-English speaking backgrounds.
History Edit[edit]
The school site before 1923 was owned by the Bergan family, who owned the local Woollen Mill. The only building on the block bounded by Mary, Lumley, Maud and Hutchinson streets was the weatherboard family house of James and John Bergan and their three sisters. The block at the time was fenced partly by a three-rail and partly by a picket fence. Shrubs and bamboos grew at the back of the house and along the fence bordering on Maud Street. Many huge trees were also on the property, and these were where surrounding buildings were erected.
In spite of opposition from the Granville War Memorial committee, who wanted the site for a hospital, the block was resumed in 1923 for the purpose of building a Junior Technical School. In October 1924, a tender for its construction was accepted. The foundation stone was laid by the then Minister for Education, Mr. Albert Bruntnell , before a gathering on 7th February 1925. The official opening followed on 10th October 1925.
Granville Boys High School was officially open in 1925 as Granville Central Technical High School. During that time, the only subjects that were taught were English, Mathematics, Geometry, Prose, Science and Technical Drawing.
The first school buildings came into use in September 1925, as an adjunct to Auburn public school, which at that time took pupils to second form. The first Principal, Mr. William Steinbeck, was appointed as Headmaster in December 1925 and commenced duty at the beginning of the school year in 1926.
During the 1950s, new buildings were constructed and the school was renamed Granville Secondary Technical College. As a result, the curriculum extended to include Music, Printing, Model Aircraft Flying and Choir. 70 students were also able to attend pre-apprenticeship classes in Electrical, Fitting and Machining, Automotive and Carpentry.
By 1966 the school had undergone many changes and had officially been renamed Granville Boys High school. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, many new programs and classes were introduced. The school became part of the Disadvantaged Schools Program. Sports and Leisure programs were introduced along with Drama and [[1]] Studies.
The school motto, shown on the school’s crest is “Aptat Se Pugnae.” This is a Latin phrase and means “prepare for the challenge.” Granville Boys High School strives to prepare all of its students for life’s challenges.
School Facilities Edit[edit]
The campus is located on Mary Street, Granville. The campus has gardens, a paved playground, a grass oval and canteen. The various faculties within the school are located in different areas ranging from a gymnasium located near the school canteen area.
The school library provides a relaxed environment. The Visual Arts department features specially designed visual arts studios, digital media/computer room equipped with design software. In 2018 students set up a barber shop within the school, students undertook an intensive 10-week training and creative program for students aged 14 to 17 that teaches the skills of a barber to boys who might otherwise disengage from school and drop out early.
In the past several groups of students from Granville Boys High School have visited the University of Sydney as part of the Social Inclusion program – usually, Year 11 students completing individual research projects.
Scholarship and Awards Edit[edit]
Granville Boys High School students can take advantage of several scholarship and award opportunities including.
- NSW School Nanga Mai Awards
- Premier’s Spelling Bee
- Premier’s Reading Challenge
- Premier’s Debating Challenge
- Public speaking competitions
- Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarships
- Duke of Edinburgh
Notable Alumnae Edit[edit]
- Johnny Warren - Australian soccer player
- Frank Clark - Olympic Race Walker
- Talal Yassine OAM - Entrepreneur, lawyer, and philanthropist.
- Tarek Elrich - Australian soccer player
- Alfie Mafi - Australian professional rugby union football player
