A Brief history of Bowral High School

Secondary education at Bowral was first provided in 1906 when a course was established at the school to cater for children of the surrounding district who wished to continue at school beyond the primary stage. The first group of students to reach Leaving Certificate standard sat for the examination in 1915.

In 1920 Bowal Distrist  School (aka BHS) became an Intermediate High. At this stage there were ofer 120 puplils in the secondary section.

In 1925 the school improved its status and was made a grade 1 school. Pupils came from Wingello, Penrose, Exeter, Bundanoon, Moss Vale, Mittagong, Lower Mittagong and Braemar.

Bowral Intermediate High School became respected in educational circles as one of the best  Intermediate High Schools in the State.

In 1929 there were 389 pupils enrolled in the Intermediate High School. They were taught by 14 teachers.

Work began in 1929 for construction of new school buildings and the foundation stone was laid by Hon. DH Drummond, MLA, Minister for Education. On Saturday 22 March 1930, a pleasant sunny autumn day, the new school was officially opened. As reported at the time:

"The new High School building comprises 12 classrooms to accomodate

420 pupils; Science Room, Library, Study, Assembly, Headmaster's and

Staffrooms, Hatrroms, Stores etc. The outbuildings comprise of Boys and

Girls weathersheds, lavatories, tuckshop, 2 bicycle sheds and sanitary block.

The building is of 2 storys constructed of brick on concrete footings and

has a tiled roof. The cost of erection was approximately £20,000 and the

contractor was Mr WA Gazzard."

Bowral High School would not have eventuated in 1930 had it not been for the local people, via Bowral Parents and Citizens' Association, pitched in financially and helped provided a portion of the site.

Bowral High School has had twelve headmasters since 1930. The first, Mr Herbert Cowie, served until his death in June, 1935.

Prinicpals of Bowral High School

For the past 70 years Bowral High School has contested for the Smith Cup with Goulburn High. This inter-school sporting competition is one of the oldest in the state of NSW.

Today there is approximately 890 students enrolled at Bowral High School along with teaching staff of 65.