Edward John Eyre High School

Located in Grundel Street Whyalla, South Australia, Edward John Eyre High School began life in 1968 as Eyre Technical High School.

Built during the boom period of Whyalla's past, the school's population reached around 1300 in the 1970s.

Today, as the Senior Secondary Campus of the Whyalla Secondary College, Edward John Eyre High School has a student population of just over 400.

Eyre High School caters to a wide cross-section of the community. Its Young Mum's program is a nationally recognised course which supports young mothers to complete their education. The Pre-Industry Program and Trade School of the Future assists students in preparation for futures in the trade areas. The Specialist Volleyball Course has experienced great success in regional, state and national competitions over the past ten years.

With Whyalla entering a new boom period, it is likely that the population of EJEHS will again climb in future years.

History

Eyre High 1968-2008

2008 sees Edward John Eyre High celebrating its 40th birthday. During those 40 years, the school has had 2 other names, Eyre Technical High School and Eyre High School. For many people, the school will always be Eyre High School.

The main buildings of the school were designed by Jim Loveday. They are correctly positioned so as to make the best use of the sun and to reduce the amount of heat gain. This has been positive for those who have used the buildings.

The initial enrolment of 5 classes of Year 8 students were housed at Whyalla High and Memorial Oval Primary School. In 1968 these students moved in to the new buildings of Eyre Technical High School on Grundel Street and along with the new Year 8s, brought the enrolment to 711.

The late sixties and early seventies were a period of rapid population growth in Whyalla. By the end of the school’s first year, the school population had out-grown the existing main building. To accommodate the increasing enrolment, a new South wing with 8 classrooms and 3 Art rooms was added. These additions were not enough to keep up with population growth. By 1972, the western quadrangle hosted a portable science laboratory and many “temporary” classrooms, some of which are still at the school. The school reached its highest enrolment of 1280 students in this period.

In 1971 the school had its first name change and became Eyre High School. (This is still what most locals call it). The name change was in-line with government policy to remove the distinction between trades orientated Technical High Schools and academically orientated High Schools.

In the early 1980s, the effect of the closure of the shipyard was felt with decreasing population in the city leading to decreasing enrolments. Margaret Grant made the most of this situation, by relocating the Library from upstairs in the main building to 6 classrooms, later 7 rooms in the South Wing. This created the space for a well laid out library to serve students and staff.

In 1986 there was a further name change from Eyre High to Edward John Eyre High School. This was done to more closely identify the school with the explorer who it was named after. The longer name also meant that the school was no longer confused with Ayr High School in Queensland.

In 1989 the population of the all of Whyalla’s schools were trending down in line with the decrease in population of the city. As a result the Education Department in consultation with School Councils changed the structure of secondary schools to create 2 junior High Schools and a Senior High- E.J. Eyre High.

From 1992, the school has catered for Year 11, 12 and adult students. It has a wide range of courses which include the Pre-Industry Program and Trade Schools for the Future. We were the first school in the state to have a Young Mums Program. This has been very successful in helping young mothers to complete their schooling.

As for the future, Eyre is involved in a consultation which will shape the nature of education in Whyalla. We wait to see the result of that consultation.

External links

* [http://www.ejehs.sa.edu.au Edward John Eyre High School]