Corrimal High is one of the oldest secondary schools in Wollongong. The foundation stone was laid in 1949 on the site, which had been a dairy farm. The school opened in 1951 and by 1953 had a population of 650, with just 30 teachers. Today, the school has a similar population, but has over 50 teachers!
The first uniform was a chocolate brown box-pleated tunic for girls, and a blue shirt and grey pants for boys. Both male and female students wore ties, and girls had a brown felt hat. The school chose the brown because of its location: in the shadow of Broker's Nose which is a rocky outcrop in the nearby escarpment. This hunched shape is represented in silhouette on the school's crest.
The pale blue was chosen to represent the sea (which is just 5 minutes' walk away). Recently, the school has adopted a more attractive royal blue/light blue/gold combination for its crest, uniform and banners. Students' opinions were surveyed before the new uniform was introduced. Students now have much more choice in what they wear, including 'bomber' jackets, shorts for boys and girls, comfortable sports shirts.
From its early days, Corrimal High offered a range of subjects, providing for the diverse needs of the community. Comprehensive schools prepare students for tertiary academic studies and as well as providing a range of technical and vocational subjects. We still have a few of the original 'portable' classrooms (single storey wooden buildings) including the Industrial Arts block.
The most dramatic change has happened over the last 4 years with the introduction of 6 Vocational Educational subjects: Retail, Metals & Engineering, Hospitality, Building and Construction, Information Technology and Office skills. Students can now study a broad range of subjects, including Marine Studies, Exploring Early Childhood, Media Studies and Agriculture.
State English, Science, Maths and Computer competitions
NSW Business Week
Mock Trials
Bill Turner Cup Soccer
South Coast Public Speaking and Debating
Work Skills Olympics
Lions' Club 'Youth of the Year' Quest
'Young Writer of the Year' short story competition
AGC Culinary Chefs competitions
The annual Bulli Show
Corrimal High is a comprehensive school, with very close links with its local community. We now employ a Community Liaison Officer full time, who encourages parents and community members to participate more in school committees, information nights and the Parents and Citizens Organization. We are appreciative of the support of our local community which provides us with sponsorship and a great deal of expertise. We have been publishing our community newspaper, the Corrimal Chronicle since 1991,and it has improved communication greatly. It is distributed throughout the community at no charge, and is now produced by the Media Studies students, who have been awarded a 'Highly Commended' in the Society of Business Communicators' awards in 1996.