Mr John Algie, first Principal of Jesmond
Secondary High, wrote:
“A grassy hillside was all there was to see when, towards the end
of 1955, I came down to find just where the new school was to be built."
Shortly after that, the passer-by could see the hillside torn and scarred
as bulldozers prepared the foundations.
Then great packing cases dotted the site, walls went up, and block by block
the buildings took shape.”
Mr Algie wrote, too, of the early days of “his” school- “The
school commenced on 29th January, 1956, with a first year enrolment of 157
boys and 138 girls.” The school catered for students of New Lambton
South, New Lambton, Lambton, Jesmond, Shortland and Waratah.
“As the building at Jesmond had not long been started the Jesmond
students were accommodated in other schools - Newcastle Junior Technical School
at Broadmeadow, Plattsburg District Rural School, Cook’s Hill Intermediate
High and Wickham Home Science School.”
“I had an office at Newcastle Secondary Junior Technical School and
visited the various classes each week. As I was a frequent visitor at the
new school site, I was able to report progress of the construction and thus
kept the pupils informed. Principals and teachers encouraged an independent
outlook in their Jesmond students so that when classes eventually came together
they had a sense of unity."
This school spirit was further strengthened by independent participation in
sporting activities at each centre. Jesmond students competed successfully
in PSAAA Carnivals in Newcastle and Sydney and in 1956, had a representative
in the Combined Newcastle and NSW Cricket Team; in the Combined Newcastle
5 stone 7 Rugby League Team and in the 6 stone team which toured Queensland.
At that early stage there were indications that sport would be a strong feature
at Jesmond.
A Parents and Citizens’ Association was formed on 26th April, 1956.
Pupils and parents were brought together for the first time at a very successful
Social held in the City Hall Supper Room on 12th September.”
The event was called the Grand Social Night and included vocal and instrumental
items, supper and dancing.
The school itself was assembled in a large factory near London and then shipped,
in giant crates, ready to assemble, in Australia.
The ship that carried the new school to Australia was the “Clan McInnes”.
The school consisted of six large aluminium buildings of up to 300 feet (91.5
metres) in length and 40 feet (12.2 metres) span. All of the walls arrived
with windows glazed in the aluminium frames and all of the doors were glazed
and hinged to the door frames.
Some delay was caused by the shipping strike and a prolonged spell of wet
weather. However, the buildings were ready for occupation at the end of the
second term and classes moved in on 17th September. Erection of six large
blocks of buildings in less than nine months was a notable achievement.
A Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed in September and this enthusiastic body
of over forty ladies conducted the Tuck Shop.
" This project has been highly successful. The children are getting
good food at reasonable prices and any profits will be used for school equipment."
In 1957, 270 new pupils were enrolled bringing the total to 550. The staff
increased to 24 and two part-time teachers.
" This enrolment has already put a strain on accommodation. Manual
Training and Home Science units must be extended if the additional pupils
in 1958 are to receive a full course. More classrooms too would be an advantage."
Emphasis at Jesmond was on Technical and Home Science Courses to the Intermediate
level, as selective Newcastle High Schools enrolled some students from the
intake area.
The combination of these courses in a co-educational school was a new development
so the school became, at John Algie’s suggestion, “Jesmond Secondary
School”- the name was approved and used until the school re-organised
as an area High School in 1960.
