General News
7 April, 2023
Education and care will remain paramount
Secondary education began in Warracknabeal with the establishment of Warracknabeal College on Lyle Street - a private school opened by F.B.R. Lockwood in 1901 - and included a building from the former Kellalac Central State School. In 1912, the...
Secondary education began in Warracknabeal with the establishment of Warracknabeal College on Lyle Street - a private school opened by F.B.R. Lockwood in 1901 - and included a building from the former Kellalac Central State School.
In 1912, the State School, situated where the Yarriambiack Shire Offices and Library are today, was expanded to include a Higher Education component and in 1914 the private school was closed due to a lack of students.
Mr Lockwood became an assistant under the State School’s principal, Mr Broben to establish the Higher Elementary School.
In 1926, a local community member purchased a 10 acre block of land on Tregear Street and, the next year, construction began on the Warracknabeal Secondary College buildings - consisting of the grand Mt Gambier stone building, and a weatherboard cookery centre and classroom.
The Warracknabeal Secondary College was officially opened in 1927, with 184 students, by the then-Minister for Education Mr John Lemmon, and grew over time to accommodate the increased enrollment and changes in education.
The College grounds and ovals were established in the 1930s, with the main oval completed in 1950.
The technical wing was added in 1954, the Arts/Science block in 1968, the Assembly Hall in 1969, the Home Economics/Humanities wing in 1974, and the library in 1983.
The Traffic Safety and Driver Education track was constructed and officially opened by Peter Brock in 1979.
Enrollment numbers peaked in 1970 at 569, and there are currently 159 students attending the College.
“Whilst we will be greeted with the modern facilities, we leave behind so many memories,” said Ms Phelan.
“As the current principal, I feel fortunate to be part of this history, but after 34 years of walking through the doors of the Mt Gambier stone building, I am somewhat sad.
“As l reflect on my time at the College, it is the students and staff who create a school, not its physical surrounds.
“No matter the environment, we will continue to provide our students with a quality and holistic learning experience, and pride ourselves on our capacity to know, understand the diversity that exists amongst our students, and care for the young people of Warracknabeal and district.”