Principal's welcome
Wavell State High School, which opened in 1959, is a large and highly regarded State Secondary school in the Inner Northern suburbs of Brisbane.
Approximately one quarter of our students are drawn from a defined, local catchment while the majority of students gain enrolment through selective entry requirements. Acceptance of enrolment is based on academic achievement, sporting performance, talent in the arts or some combination of these attributes.
The school has undergone facilities renewal with significant refurbishment of classrooms and development of specialist teaching areas. Facilities include state of the art Science laboratories, swimming pool, modern Olympic standard sports complex, Modern Performing Arts Centre opened in 2019, sophisticated wireless computer network and well equipped library and specialist classrooms. The Junior Secondary complex including 22 teaching spaces, two science laboratories, two large flexible learning spaces and a large amphitheatre was opened in 2015; it provides a purpose built learning facility for students in Years 7, 8 and 9.
Wavell has an established reputation built on traditional values including high standards of discipline and pride in appearance. Outstanding achievements across academic, cultural, citizenship and sporting areas can be directly attributed to an outstanding, experienced, and well qualified staff. Our staff make a significant contribution to the lives of our students. We believe high quality teaching is vital for high quality learning.
The school has developed programs to nurture excellence in academic achievement through an 'Advanced Academic Learners' program in the Junior School to ensure our brightest students reach their full potential. Core subjects in Junior Secondary are taught at extension, core and foundation levels to enhance the success of each student. Our Senior curriculum includes a very wide range of high level academic and vocational subjects. Sporting programs are structured to enable students to excel in their chosen fields of interest while our high quality Music, Dance and Drama programs enable students to perform at a variety of prestigious events. Schools of Excellence for Music, Drama, Dance, Rugby League and Netball in the senior school build on, and showcase, the high quality programs offered in these areas.
Students are encouraged to develop the values they are exposed to at home to ensure they leave Wavell as outstanding citizens. The Wavell Development Program includes opportunities for students to explore the nine values all Australian students should develop to ensure the Australian way of life is preserved – care & compassion, doing your best, fair go, freedom, honesty & trustworthiness, integrity, respect, responsibility, and understanding tolerance and inclusion.
I invite you to explore our school through the website or contact us to make an appointment for a school tour. Our school motto – 'esse quam videri' highlights what all of our students are encouraged to do – 'It is better to be, rather than to just seem'. Those who choose to join us will always be proud that they have become a part of the Wavell High tradition.
Jeff Major
Executive Principal of Wavell State High School
