- Cumberland High School (Carlingford)
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Cumberland High School 
Latin: Finis Coronat OpusLocation Carlingford, New South Wales, Australia 
AustraliaCoordinates 33°47′3″S 151°2′13″E / 33.78417°S 151.03694°ECoordinates: 33°47′3″S 151°2′13″E / 33.78417°S 151.03694°E Information Type Public, Co-educational Established January, 1962 Principal T. Wilson Enrolment ~769 Campus Suburban Colour(s) Green, white & brown Website cumberland-h.schools.nsw.edu.au Cumberland High School is a co-educational comprehensive secondary school (high school) located in the north-western metropolitan Western Sydney region of New South Wales, Australia.
Contents
History
Cumberland High School opened in January 1962 with an initial intake of 270 students in First Form (now known as Year 7). This student cohort commenced high school under the Wyndham Scheme, which extended New South Wales high school from five to six years and placed a greater emphasis on science and mathematics.
The foundation headmaster was George Heery (1962–1965), who was responsible for the selection of the original school colours (brown, green and white), the school motto "Finis Coronat Opus", ("the end crowns the work") and the Cumberland school song.
In addition to students from Carlingford, early students were drawn from as far afield as Pennant Hills, West Pennant Hills, and Beecroft to the north; from Epping and Ermington to the east; from Dundas, Dundas Valley and Telopea to the south; and North Parramatta to the south-west. Subsequently, the student catchment area contracted with the establishment of nearby high schools, particularly Castle Hill High School (1963), Pennant Hills High School (1966), Carlingford High School (1968), and Muirfield High School (1976).
In 2008, four Cumberland students took part in the Beijing Olympics, as members of the Olympic Games Orchestra.
Campus
Cumberland High is located at 183 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford, New South Wales.
The site was originally part of portions 100, 101 in the Parish of Field of Mars, County of Cumberland. Portion 101 was granted to William Evans by Lieutenant Governor Francis Grose on 11 April 1794. The grant is described in the Grant Register as "laying and situated at The Ponds adjoining Carver's Farm". Portion 100 was granted to William Butts on 19 November 1794, and described in the Grant Register as "laying and situated in the district of The Ponds".
The site is separated with blocks lettered with a certain letters A Block: (Used for Food Technology and Art on lower floor;Second Floor used for Textiles , History , Computer and Drama) B Block: (Used for Toilets and Canteen) C Block: (Used for Computing systems, metalwork and woodwork ) D Block: (Used for the office ; Second Floor used for Music , Language and Geography .) E Block: (Used for English and Science on first floor; Maths on the second floor.) F Block: (Used for the hall ) and G Block: (Used for other Science Labs downstairs and Library.
The boys toilets are currently replaced with a new gym and is in construction.
The current principal for Cumberland is Terry Wilson. (When principal S.Rolfe died of heart attack in 2006-2007)
A number of positive changes have taken place since his appointment including more than $2M spent on new playground surfaces and equipment, rain-water tanks, airconditioning of the entire school, as well as new computers, an interactive, online classroom and one of the fastest internet connections of any school in NSW.
The International Students Program has also been established at Cumberland High School with the work of Ms S Kitson being showcased by the International Student Centre as an example of excellence in the education of international students.
Through involvement of students and staff from many cultures, Cumberland High School has experienced a massive celebration of multi-culturalism at Harmony Day. Students from many backgrounds have also developed the educational achievements of all students, with 1 in 5 students achieving a UAI above 90 at the HSC 2007
This year, Cumberland has involved 4 of its students in a revolutionary Science program in partnership with Lachlan Macquarie College, Merck Sharpe & Dohme and the University of Western Sydney, with the students attending sessions at the University of Western Sydney: Hawkesbury Campus to utilise state-of-the-art equipment in a research program. In addition to this, one of the Science teachers, Mrs. K. Stead organises annual Science showcases to coincide with National Science Week and "tours" around local primary schools to try and engage younger children in Science.
Although not being placed in the top 100 schools in the HSC rankings of 2009, its neighboring school, James Ruse Agricultural High School came 1st, along with Baulkham Hills High School in the same region, coming 2nd.
Student profile
The school has a traditional format and organization. Its administration places emphasis on discipline and requires students to wear a school uniform. The school is populated with 35% of students coming from outside the school's designated local area. Students come from families that are very diverse, socially and economically. In recent years, there has been an increase in enrolment by non-English speaking students (56% in 2005) with 35% of all students receiving English as a second language (ESL) program support. In 2005, 37 international students were enrolled, out of a total of 769.
Student government
Cumberland students participate in a prefect system, peer support program, and student representative council. It also provides a comprehensive welfare program focusing on peer support/mentoring and conflict resolution, anti-bullying and anti-racism.
Arts
The Faculty of Arts provides a broad range of high level opportunities for all students at Cumberland High School. Students can participate in one of the many ensembles such as Concert Band, Stage Band, String Ensemble, Drumline, Rock Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble while private music tutors provide individual music tuition for Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Trombone, Trumpet, Classical and Rock Guitar, Composition and Bass Guitar.
Each semester the Ensembles travel to many local primary schools to perform an hour show. The Band Tour also travels to country schools. In 2009 the Stage Band, String Ensemble and Rock Ensemble completed a tour of the Lithgow area performing to primary and central schools.
The annual art exhibition and performance evening, MAD09, includes all students from Years 7 - 8 as well as the elective music, art and drama classes from Years 9 - 12. The finale for each show comprises all students in a performance of a classical massed choral and orchestral work.
Students from The Faculty of Arts have travelled to Beijing as part of the Olympic Games Orchestra, performed in the backing choir for Australian Idol finals at the Sydney Opera House. In 2008 Seungmin Oh left Cumberland High School to take up a position at the Juilliard School in New York where he continued his piano studies.
Sports
Cumberland High School has a long tradition of achievement in inter-school sports competition. Cumberland was one of eight schools that comprised Cumberland Zone as part of the New South Wales Combined High Schools Athletic Association. Using the same name for both the school and the zone caused confusion, however.
Cumberland also has the yearly carnivals of Athletics, Swimming and Cross-Country, where students get to represent their houses Cumbora - Red, Derringbong - Green, Brigalow - Yellow and Algona - Blue.
Every year in the early terms Cumberland High School participates in the inter-school sporting competition with rural school Wauchope High School. This event allows both the schools to mix and also compete in sports such as Basketball, Netball, Volleyball, Athletics, Soccer, Hockey, Softball, Rugby and Tennis. This event is a highlight of Cumberland's sporting calendar. For more than 30 years the two schools have made the annual visit - a tradition unparalleled by other schools in Australia.
Every year, there is a sporting competition between Cumberland High School and their neighboring school, James Ruse Agricultural High for year 7 students. This is organised by the two schools. Although Cumberland have lost to James Ruse 6 years in a row so far, the competition still goes on, in early term 4. However, in 2010, Cumberland has won for the first time in 6 years, James Ruse losing by a mere 7 points. .
Social Events
Cumberland celebrates a range of social events including:
- Discos
- Talent Quests
- Harmony Day Celebration
- Multicultural Day
- High Achievers Assembly
- Multicultural Soccer Competition
- MAD (Music Art Drama)- MAD08 was a successful celebration of the arts with over 150 students participating in either singing, dancing, creating artworks or drama performances.
- Bandana Day
- Science Week and Roadshow
- Writers' Festival
- Open Night
- Gala Day (where they compete against James Ruse Agricultural High School for a Sports Meet)
- Wauchope Vs Cumberland Interschool Sports Carnival (more than 30 year tradition)
- Band Tour (includes tours to country NSW)
Notable teachers
- Sándor Rozsnyói, (Alex Rozsnyoi) World record holder, 3000 metre steeplechase (athletics). Silver medal, 3000 metre steeplechase, 1956 Summer Olympics. Gold medal, 3000 metre steeplechase, 1954 European Championships.
- Mrs Barbara Arnison, wife of Major-General Peter Arnison, Governor of Queensland, (1997–2003).
Notable alumni
- Miranda (Mandy) Downes, (1949–1985), film scriptwriter. "Fields of Fire" (1987) TV mini-series (writer); "Undercover" (1983) (writer).
- Dr Bruce Walker, CEO of the Centre for Appropriate Technology Inc, the national Indigenous science and technology organisation. He was awarded the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Clunies Ross National Science and Technology Medal in 1999 and in 2003 a Centenary Medal for service to remote area education and health.
- Ray Price, Parramatta, NSW and Australian representative in Rugby Union and Rugby League.
- Alex Hawke, Liberal politician.[1]
- Hollie Favre A rugby union rep
- Emily Gordon A Touch Football Representative for Sydney West and Parramatta
References
- ^ Hooper, Chloe. "Young Libs in the Chocolate Factory", The Monthly, June 2005
External links
Categories:- High schools in New South Wales
- Public schools in New South Wales
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