Bundaberg State High School is one of the oldest state high schools in Queensland, having opened its doors in 1912 on the banks of the Burnett River. The school’s motto is “per ardua ad astra” which loosely translates as “through hard work, the stars” and this set of values informs the expectation of all who work and study here.
The challenge for the school, based in a regional centre, is to cater for the needs of not only the students but also of the community and this is an area in which the school continually strives to improve. The school has high expectations regarding attendance and behaviour, and it is expected that all students will be at their best and remind themselves that every day counts.
Facilities: Bundaberg State High School has been on the present site since 1920 and in recent years has been busy with continual upgrades to buildings and facilities. These have included refurbishments of the Science block, the library and both the Home Economics and Manual Arts areas as part of a Trade Training Centre program.
Sport: Bundaberg State High School has a proud history of sporting excellence, participating in a wide range of sports and competitions. Students are allocated into house groups at the start of their high school life and intra-school swimming and athletics carnivals are contested fiercely between the rival house groups.
Extracurricular activities: Musical, swimming and athletics carnivals.
The school runs a number of clubs, designed to extend and support students in various interests. One of the most active is the school chess club, which meets formally each Thursday in the Library, although eager players meet each break and before school.
Welfare and personal development: Guidance Officer, School Chaplain & School-Based Youth Nurse.
Special features: The school has registered to take part in eSmart, a guiding framework for schools to manage cybersafety and wellbeing. eSmart will help teachers, students and the whole school community embrace the benefits of technology and reduce exposure to cyberspace risks such as cyberbullying, identity theft, online sexual predation and accessing or sending inappropriate images and content.
The school offers a range of vocational programs for students.