Ferny Grove State High School

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Ferny Grove State High School is a public high school in the suburb of Ferny Grove, in Brisbane, Australia. It is renowned for its music and drama programs.

[edit] History

The school was opened in 1980 on its current site at McGinn Road, Ferny Grove, quite close to where the Ferny Grove Railway Station and Primary School stood.

It's original principal was Mr Keith Tabulo, who held the position from 1980 to 1982, upon which he was replaced by Tony Marsland. It was Marsland who began the school's tradition of planting trees along the entrance way to the school on Queensland Day. This tradition, begun in 1984, has continued since, and trees now line both entrances to the school.

In 1985, the position of prinicipal was taken by Ralph Took. Took remained principal for a record 15 years (he resigned at the end of term one in 2000, having been offered a higher position in the Education Department). During this time the school gained its reputation for excellence in several fields, including music, drama, academia and sport.

Finding a replacement for Took proved quite a long process, with deputy principal Russell Burguez acting in the position throughout terms two and three of 2000. Starting with term four, the position was permanently filled by Chris Rider, who had moved across from Wellington Point High School. Rider is still in this position currently, although he is now performing other duties in the education department and deputy Pat Anderson is acting as principal.

[edit] Facts about the school

The school is now one of the largest state schools in Queensland, having approximately 1800 students.

The school has had several winners of the prestigious TJ Ryan award for outstanding academic performance.

The school has had graduates go on to compete in the Olympic Games.

Shaun Berrigan and Justin Hodges of the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland State of Origin Team both went to Ferny Grove.

Lisa and Jessica Origliasso (better known as pop group The Veronicas) went to Ferny Grove High in grades eight and nine.

[edit] Recent controversy

Recently, the school has received some attention in the media due to the school being evacuated. The evacuation occurred after the police raided a manual arts teacher's (contract teacher) house, finding 53 kilograms of explosives inside as well as a book about serveral differnt terrorist leaders inculding Osama bin Laden. The 40 year old teacher lived with his mother in their house at Aspley, and had only started at Ferny Grove State High School earlier that year. During his short-lived career there, he told several students that he was married, however, this proved to be false as he was living with his mother. The evacuation of the school was simply a precaution, as the police did not expect to find anything. Fortunately, no explosives were found in the school. The teacher has now become the butt of many a joke at Ferny Grove.