Port Macquarie High School
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PORT MACQUARIE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
High School
Mark Longstaff ff - Principal
Port Macquarie High School is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Principal Mark Longstaff shares details about the school’s rich heritage ...
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in Year 7 until their HSC in Modern History, with some outstanding education results being achieved and manufacturing a deep friendship with those students. Being leader of a government school with a proven record of success s The school hate d or academically on the sporting fields and in been well supp the financially by uc the arts. As leader, being in a position to of Ed ation Department un er ov es bring about changes, so that all students iti and Comm ye s, to benefit and reach their potential. Facing the last few peararance enhance its ap ow long have you s. the challenges of competition from and facilitie been Principal at publicly funded non-government schools Port Macquarie High and continuing to maintain our reputation as School? a great school. I am the sixth Principal of the school Encouraging teachers to adapt to the changing since it opened in 1962 and now the longest serving, nature of the youth of today, with their different mores having been Principal since 1999 following on from and attitudes to authority, lifestyle and goals. my predecessor David Brown, who was Principal from Being able to coach, manage and train students 1988 - 98. in football and cricket, as well as participating with What have you enjoyed most about your time at students in the City to Surf each year. the school? What is the atmosphere like within the school Having the opportunity to have all my three children community, as Port High approaches its 50th year commence and then complete their secondary education of operation? at Port Macquarie HS, with Samuel’s graduation in As we approach out 50th celebrations this month, 2005, Joshua’s in 2009 and Jacob’s in 2011, as Dux of there is an increasing air of excitement and anticipation the School. Teaching a group of students from 2003 amongst the school community and with the former
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stu students from the early 1960s to the present, as well as sta staff members W What events are being held to celebrate the sc school’s 50th anniversary? Currently at the Glasshouse there is an art exhibition, wi with works exhibited by former students and staff fro from the school and the official opening taking place on Friday 13 April at 5pm. This is followed by a music co concert in our hall at 7pm. On Saturday, April 14, th the school will be open for visitors, with stalls and memorabilia on sale, combined with the 20/20 cricket match on Oxley Oval and the official opening at 2pm. Dinner at Panthers follows, commencing at 7pm for 7.30 start. On Sunday, the school is open again until 2pm. How do you plan to build on the school’s success over the past 50 years and carry this forward into the future? The school has been well supported financially by the Department of Education and Communities over the last few years, to enhance its appearance and facilities. Currently, a trade centre comprising a commercial kitchen is being constructed, and the school has been granted major capital works to a figure of about $10 million to bring the school up to being an educational institution for the 21st century. This will mean new blocks being constructed with state of the art facilities such as a senior senior study areas, a lecture theatre and music/drama rooms. We would also like to set up areas where students can use their laptops in specifically designed rooms to study and prepare assignments. I certainly look forward to attending the school’s 75th anniversary in 2037.