Wavell State High School

Wavell State High School is a coeducational public secondary school based in Wavell Heights, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The school has a total enrolment of more than 1500 students from years 7–12, with an official count of 1674 students in 2019. Since 2025, the role of Acting Executive Principal of the School has been held by Luke Ferdinands.

Wavell State High School
Location
Wavell Heights , Queensland Australia
Coordinates	27°23′55.5″S 153°02′15.4″E
Information
Type	Public, secondary
Motto	Esse Quam Videri (To be rather than to seem to be)[1]
Established	1959
Principal	Luke Ferdinands
Grades	7–12
Enrolment	1674 (2019)[2]
Colour(s)	Maroon  , navy blue   and royal blue
Website	wavellshs.eq.edu.au

Some of the school's buildings are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.^[3]

History

Wavell State High School opened on 27 January 1959 under the leadership of the founding Principal, C.E. Anstey. As the suburb of the school, Wavell Heights, which was named in 1942, Wavell State High School was named after Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell (5 May 1883 – 24 May 1950), a Commander-in-Chief of British and Dominion Forces in the Middle East from July 1939 to July 1941. Many Australians served under his command during the early period of World War II; mostly in North Africa, Greece, Crete and Syria.^[4]

In 2018 many of the original buildings received State Government Heritage Listing due to their cultural and historical significance.^[5]

In early 2021, Jeff Major, the school's 8th and longest serving principal, announced he was going on extended leave to finalise his retirement plans. Replacing him, was MacGregor's Elizabeth Foster.^[6]

Sporting houses

Wavell State High School's four sporting houses, Alamein, Burma, Keren and Tobruk, are named in reference to places and battles associated with Earl Wavell:

• Alamein commemorates the Second Battle of El Alamein, the turning point of World War II in the Middle East.
• Burma, part of Wavell's responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief of the south-West Pacific, was invaded in December 1941 by the Japanese Army who gained control of the country by May 1942. Australian Air Force and Navy personnel were among those Allied forces who retook Burma in 1945.
• Keren was the location of a decisive and bitter battle from 15 to 26 March 1941 in which British troops defeated Italian troops.
• Tobruk was the scene of a siege in which allied servicemen defended the town against the German Army from 10 April to 7 December 1941. This siege of 242 days is the longest in British Military history.^[4]

Notable alumni

The school is known for producing many rugby league footballers that have played in the NRL.

Rugby league

• Kurt Baptiste
• Adam Blair
• Darryl Brohman, also a commentator and media personality
• Dale Copley
• Richard Faʻaoso
• Tom Gilbert
• Ashley Harrison
• Greg Inglis
• Sam Kasiano
• Francis Molo
• Michael Molo
• Jayden Nikorima
• Kodi Nikorima
• Karl Oloapu
• Smith Samau
• Sam Tagataese
• Tuku Hau Tapuha
• Tevita Toloi
• Shane Tronc
• Elianna Walton
• Jake Webster

Other sports

• Jason Akermanis, Australian Rules footballer
• Madonna Blyth,^[7] field hockey player
• Naomi Castle, water polo player in 2000 & 2004 Olympics. Gold medallist at 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Captain (2004).
• Joyce Lester, softball player, 1996 Olympics Bronze Medal, Team member 1977–1996, Captain (1985–1996)^[8]
• Sandra Yost,^{[9][better source needed]} Commonwealth Games Swimmer 1974 Gold 200m Butterfly, Silver 200m Backstroke, Bronze 100m Butterfly

Other

• Anthony Chisholm,^[10] Senator
• Sir Ross Cranston, High Court of Justice of England and Wales^[11]
• Jessica and Lisa Origliasso of The Veronicas
• Peter Timms, koala conservationist
• Kerry Millard, former Qld State Member of Parliament

Notable staff

• Ross Henrick