Our History

Ngalawadyinyang yaguna Dharug Ngurrawa.

We are standing today on Dharug Country.

Bayadyinyang budyari Dharug warungad baranyin barribugu.

We speak well of Dharug Elders from yesterday to tomorrow.

Bayadyinyang budyari Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Ngurra.

We speak well of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and their homelands.

Bayadyinyang budyari ngiyinyarralangu yinyam yaguna.

We speak well of you all here today.

Yanma madyi Dharug Ngurrawa.

Walk softly on Dharug country.

• Construction on the Gymnasium commenced during the Christmas Holidays 1955/56. The work was disrupted by wet weather. Seven floods were recorded in 1956; three in February, two in March, one in May and one in June. The gym was completed during the Holidays of 1956/57 and officially opened on the 31st of May, 1957. The Gymnasium remains as the oldest building on school grounds, still being used today for a variety of PDHPE classes and events.

• In 1956, shortly after Richmond High School was established at it's new location on Lennox Street, the original Kamilaroi homestead was deconstructed, and The Department of Education repurposed the site into Richmond Public School. Richard's initials and the name 'Kamilaroi' can still be seen on the old front gate on Windsor Street.

• During the 1950's, the school had a consistent population of approximately 1400 students. This high number was due to Richmond High School being the only secondary education facility in the Hawkesbury District. Students as far as Wisemans Ferry and McDonald Valley were recorded as attending Richmond High School during the 50's.

• In the "Richmond District Rural School" era, many students would travel to school on a train that ran between Kurrajong and Richmond. The line no longer exists and was decommissioned in 1952. A 2-carriage locomotive nicknamed 'The Pansy' was the sole engine on the line, taking roughly 35 minutes to complete the 11km journey. Male and female students were segregated between each carriage.

• Standard uniforms became more easily available, with the 'straw hats and slacks' of the 1950's phased out. The maroon blazers and blue polos still remain today.

• 1961 saw one of the largest recorded Hawkesbury floods, measured at 14.95 meters. The flood separated RHS from surrounding areas of Windsor and North Richmond, where many students lived and travelled.

• 3 years later in 1964, yet another huge flood was recorded (14.57m), resulting in many students staying home to watch The Beatles' Australian tour on TV.

• Students frequently noted the harsh weather conditions during the 60's, with freezing classrooms during winter and boiling hot classrooms in summer. The demountable buildings, whilst easy to install, were notoriously under-insulated.

• Principal Doug Pope led RHS from 1973 to 1982, overseeing plenty of construction planning and development which would go on to shape our school.

• The MAC was constructed in a single day using a nylon air bladder, concrete and steel supports. A total of 15 'Bini Shells' were constructed in NSW public schools from 1974 to 1979. The MAC was one of the largest and longest surviving 'Bini Shells', with only a few now remaining.

• The suburb of Hobartville began to take shape in 1971, steadily growing in population and increasing local enrolment numbers. Today, Hobartville students make up a major percentage of our overall enrolment numbers.

• Kayak-building was offered as an extra-curricular subject throughout the 70's and was facilitated by Mr Bancroft. Students would regularly attend excursions to waterways in order to test their own Kayaks.

• Major community campaigning occurred during the mid-70's to demand permanent infrastructure at RHS. With increasing enrolment numbers causing overcrowding and a number of expansion plans falling through, tensions between the community and the Minister of Education reached a boiling point. Thankfully, in '76, the state government supplied funding for a million-dollar upgrade.

• Mr Milton Alston retired in 1982 after 41 years of teaching. He remains as the longest serving Richmond High School staff member of all time.

• Class numbers hit their peak at the beginning of the 1980's due to classroom shortages from construction and high attendance numbers. Some PE classes were reported as having 58 students at once.

• Principal Brian Warham took the reigns from Mr Pope in 1983, occupying the position until 1991.

• While the 1960's were significant for immense flooding, the 1980's are noted for widespread bushfire seasons. Ex Deputy Principal, Mr John Lloyd, remembers seeing "RHS staff rushing out of school to fight bushfires".

• School Fees were controversially raised in 1980, increasing from $20 to $25 for Juniors and $30 for Seniors.

• The MAC was reinforced with internal steel structures in 1988, as a response to Pittwater High School's Bini Shell unexpectedly collapsing in 1986.

• A dedicated Intellectual Disability class was established in 1987, consisting of 8 students. The initiative grew throughout the next decade, becoming what we now understand as the RHS Support Unit.

• Principal Ken Gill led RHS through the 90's, dedicated to the job from 1992 to 2001.

• Over $35,000 was raised on Red Nose Day in 1999, with well over $100,000 in total donated by the end of the 90's.

• The Richmond Oval Grandstand was officially named the "Rod McConville Stand" in 1999, in memory of long-serving teacher Mr Rod McConville. He is remembered for his outstanding service to the Richmond community and his passion for cricket. McConville taught at RHS for 39 years.

• The Richmond High School Support Unit was officially established in 1994, with 2 classes dedicated to an altered curriculum which supports life skills. The Support Unit now consists of 7 classes and over 14 staff who consistently go above and beyond to navigate complex learning environments.

• Principal Howard Wolfers occupied the leadership position from 2002, leading RHS into the new millennium. He would remain Principal until 2013.

• RHS reached it's 50th anniversary in 2005, culminating in many functions and celebrations. A time capsule, built by Mr Dennis, was installed in the library and filled with memories from students and teachers, both past and present. Each decade since, it is opened and added to.

• As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, each year group planted a tree on school grounds to symbolise their growth and connection to RHS. All of these trees are thriving and have grown into notable additions to our beautiful school grounds.