Davidson High School (New South Wales)

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Davidson High School
Image:Davo.jpg
Location
Mimosa Street, Frenchs Forest, Sydney,
NSW, Australia
Information
Principal Rod Cawsey
Type Public, secondary
Enrolment 729
Grades 7–12
Motto Sapienter Si Sincere ("Wisely If Sincerely")
Colour(s) Red and Navy blue         
Established 1972
Homepage http://www.davidson-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Davidson High School, (abbreviation DHS) is a school located in Frenchs Forest Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, next to Mimosa Public School, on Mimosa Street. It is a co-educational high school operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training with students from years 7 to 12. The school was established in 1972. Students at the school come from the Sydney and Northern Beaches regions.

Contents

[edit] History

Davidson High School was originally to be called Sorlie High School after George Sorlie an idealistic developer of land in the district. The residents of the area requested a change of name for both suburb, and consequently the new high school. The High School was named after Sir Walter Davidson a popular Governor of New South Wales who was Governor from 1918 until his death in 1923, and to whom the parklands of 2500 acres called Davidson Park were dedicated. This forms the western boundary of the suburb of Davidson.

A meeting was called on 12th August 1971 at Wakehurst Public School. Representatives of the teaching staff and P.&C. Associations of Frenchs Forest, Wakehurst, Mimosa and Belrose Public Schools, were advised by representatives of the Education Department of a proposed new school adjoining the grounds of Mimosa School. This new school would be known as Davidson High, with the anticipated completion date of January 1973.

The school's earliest students were housed at Killarney Heights High School in 1972-1973, and the parents of these students were granted permission by the Lairds of the Davidson Clan to use the crest, shield and tartan of Clan Davidson of Tulloch. The distinctive green, red, navy and black tartan and the stag's head and red whortleberry were incorporated in the badge, and were used as part of the uniform and as the school crest. The Clan Davidson Motto - 'Sapienter si Sincere' - means 'Wisely if Sincerely'.

The crest and motto, adapted from the original crest and motto of the Clan Davidson, has undergone several changes since its inception. During the tenure of Principal, Roy Beauman, the motto was altered from the Latin 'Sapienter Si Sincere' to English and the words transposed to read 'Sincerely if Wisely'. The ornate shield was removed from the crest and was produced in green, white, navy and brown.

A further change occurred during the tenure of Principal, John McManus. He changed the motto to 'Wisely Sincerely'. The crest underwent design changes and was enclosed by a different shield and produced in red and navy only.

Davidson Clan Tartan
Davidson Clan Tartan

In early 1973 year 7 classes were situated in Mimosa Public School and year 8 classes at Killarney Heights Public School. Requiring students, teachers and parents to travel in between schools. The Buildings on the present site were first completed and occupied in September 1973.

Despite the library not being completed until 1976, the school was officially opened in January 1974 attended by Mr. Richard Healey MP (Member for the Electoral district of Davidson 1971-1981) and Principal Mr. William Lambert who reminded the students that the school was built at the cost of millions of dollars; not for the teachers or parents but for the students and its future lay in their hands. "Davidson High is yours, continue the effort that has been made by so many to develop it. Keep building it, with pride and earnest endeavour"

[edit] Headmasters/Headmistresses

Years Davidson High School
1972-1974 W. Lambert B.A.
1975-1979 A. Hayes B.A.
1980-1982 B. Anderson B.A. (Headmistress)
1983-1987 R. Beuman A.S.T.C.
1988-1990 J. McManus B.A.
1991-1992 G. Roe B.A. B.Ed Dip.Ed.
1992-1996 R.E. Moxham M.A.Ed. B.Mus. Ed.A. Mus.A. (Headmistress)
1997-2002 M. Anderson M.Ed. B.A. Dip.Ed.
2002-2005 C. Bonnor AM B.A.(Hons) Dip.Ed. Dip.Soc.Ed.
2006- R. Cawsey M.Ed. B.A. Dip.Teach

[edit] Houses

A House system was formed by staff at Davidson in 1973. The four houses were named Mimosa, Blackbutt, Belrose and Waratah. The present house system was introduced by the second Principal, Austin Hayes. The houses of Davidson High School and their colours are as follows:

  • Alpha (Blue)
  • Beta (Red)
  • Gamma (Yellow)
  • Delta (Green)

The houses compete in three sporting carnivals. In the summer season, a Swimming Carnival is held, and in the winter months an Athletic Carnival. There is also a cross-country run held in Autumn.

[edit] Staff

The current Principal of Davidson High School is Mr. Rod Cawsey, who took over from previous Principal Mr. Chris Bonnor in the third quarter of 2005, but did not become official in his position until 2006, with himself serving as Acting Principal.

Ms. S. Anderson B.A., Dip.Ed. was appointed Deputy-Principal in late-2005 after the elevation of Mr. Cawsey to the position of Principal.

Ms A. Scalese B.Ed. was temporarily appointed Acting Deputy-Principal in mid-2006 after the departure of Ms. J. Ferris until the end of the year when Mr. A. Fazzolari B.Ed. was appointed Deputy-Principal, taking effect in January 2007.

[edit] Extra-curricular opportunities

These activities include:

  • Music: Concert Band 1 and 2 (since 1982), Stage Band, Choir/Vocal Group (since 1973) and other ensembles (flute, clarinet, saxophone etc.)represent the school in performances and competitions including the Northern Beaches Eisteddfod.
  • Drama: Does many performances throughout the year including Regional/State Drama festivals.
  • Dance: Offers many opportunities to perform in many styles and groups, performing in many competitions such as the Rock Eisteddfodd.
  • Performance Opportunity Workshops (POW): Small concerts involving Music, Dance and Drama are held for soloists, work in progress or developing students.
  • Season of Performing Arts (SOPA): Annually held formal concerts involving the best of dance, drama and musical pieces. Held in term two over two nights at the Glen Street Theatre.
  • Creative Writing: Offers into many competitions such as the Henry Lawson Short Story and Poetry competition or the SMH Young writer of the year.
  • Debating and Public Speaking: Very popular due to Davidson's students' achievements and successes in many speaking and Debating Competitions.
  • Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme: ten percent of the school students from years 9 to 12 are involved in the award at the bronze or silver level.
  • Mock Trial Competition: Davidson first entered in 1985 and has been continued ever since.
  • Eco-Club: Is involved throughout the school in programs of bush rehabilitation and environmental awareness amongst the local and school community. The Eco-Club also holds a 'Green Day' annually for this purpose.
  • Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA): Davdson is involved most years and is well commended.

[edit] Student leadership

At the instigation of the Principal, Austin Hayes, the first student council was formed in 1976.

  • Year 7 and 8 student leaders give the opportunity for the junior years to have an input into the school and its events.
  • The Student Representative Council (S.R.C.) comprises students from every year elected in term one who are active in the school community and has an input into school and student issues. The SRC has in the past organised events such as 'Spirit Week', 'Davo Rockfest' and many other events and fundraisers.
  • The Peer Mentoring Program, first implemented in 1984 during the tenure of Principal Roy Beuman, trains Year 10 students to assist Year 7 students in their transition to high school. This program builds and develops connections between peers and students from other years.
  • The Coaches Program provides the opportunity for students to work with others to develop resilience and communication skills.
  • The Flying Squad Program teaches students the skills and values of leadership. The squad visits primary schools to share knowledge and skills to younger primary students.
  • Senior Leadership Team consists of Captains, Vice-Captains and Prefects of Year 12 who are ambassadors for the school and provide direction for school and extra curricular activities.

[edit] Blues point system

The concept of house points and the system of awarding a school 'Blue' at the end of each year, was introduced by the second Headmaster of Davidson, Austin Hayes, who believed very strongly in recognising the worth of all students rather than just the 'elite'. The 'Blues' points awards therefore recognise individual achievements for academic excellence (letters of commendation), Sporting prowess(regional,zone,state etc.)and community work(Red Cross, Salvation Army, Legacy etc.).

'Blues' points also reward student participation in such activities as Band, Drama, Dance, Choir, Student leaders, debating, Model United Nations and other activities which require students' time outside normal classtime hours.

A School 'Blue' is awarded every year to students who have achieved and exceeded a set limit of 'blues' points. If a student is awarded a 'Blue' every year for six years then they are awarded with an Honour 'Blue'. There is also a distinction 'Blue' for students who are leaving the school and have achieved a 'Blue' every year, even though they may not have attended Davidson for the full six years. It was introduced by Betty Anderson during her tenure as Principal.

[edit] Rock Eisteddfod

Twice in the last four years Davidson has created performances which have a satirical and underlying message about the Iraq war and Insurgency. The first one called "Bad Night in Baghdad" and its sequel "Bad Knight II" came under a lot of media scrutiny particularly the sequel which got the attention of the Federal Minister for Education Julie Bishop who made accusations of "private political agendas" and also that Davidson "conveniently" did the performance around the time of the APEC summit where U.S. President George W. Bush and other foreign leaders would be visiting

[edit] Davidson Community of Schools

In 2007 the Davidson Community of Schools was inaugurated and unveiled by the current Principal, Mr. R. Cawsey which aims to increase and closen ties to local primary schools with the intention of increasing enrolments and learning skills for primary students reflected in programs such as Flying Squad, Mimosa links music programme, Drama School Tour and others. The members of the community consists of Belrose Public School, Kambora Public School, Wakehurst Public School, Mimosa Public School and Terrey Hills Public School.

[edit] Notable alumni

Academic

Politics and law

Sport

Arts and Media

[edit] See also

[edit] External links