Opened in 1959, the school replaced the former Midland Junction High School (MJHS) founded in 1901, at a new site in West Midland.
History
The school was officially opened on 28 October 1959 by then Western Australian Minister for Education, Arthur Watts. On that day its name was officially changed from Midland Junction High School to Governor Stirling Senior High School, named after James Stirling. This day also saw the adoption of a new school crest, which retained the motto of MJHS: "Honour Before Honours".[2] The official crest features a white swan behind a shield.
In 1964, Woodbridge House became an annexe for GSSHS. Around thirty students were involved in the High School Certificate courses, and the house provided a non-institutional learning environment for the small student community. Students were able to recover the wind vane missing from the house, which was discovered in the mud of the river bed. During this same period Woodbridge House became the headquarters for the Midland District Youth Committee, an advisory body representing up to thirteen local youth organisations.[3]
Lecture theatre at the new campus
Redevelopment plans
On 8 May 2008, then federal Education Minister Julia Gillard formally granted $63 million to re-build the school on the current site.[4] The school was rebuilt and equipped with newer facilities. The Maali Centre is a dedicated building for Indigenous student support services. Donaldson + Warn Architects were commissioned to design the new school campus, and construction began in February 2011. In the interim Years 8, 9, 10 attended the old Midland Primary School site and Years 11 and 12 attended Cyril Jackson Senior Campus. The new campus was completed for Term 1 in the 2013 school year.[5][6]
Specialist programs
Main exhibition in the visual and performing arts hall at the GSSHS Artsmedia Exhibition in 2017
GSSHS offers three specialist programs; Artsmedia, Engineering and Football. All three programs are selective, and of these programs Artsmedia and Engineering are academically selective. As well as the specialist programs, the school also offers an approved Gifted and Talented GATE extension program.[7] Specialist programs at GSSHS, as well as the GATE programme. The school also offers other non-specialist programs such as netball and music.
Artsmedia
Artsmedia Exhibition 2017 featuring projection onto the administration building
Artsmedia is a specialist academic program targeted at developing skills within Art and Media including visual arts, digital and game design, film and television, journalism and photojournalism.[8] The program is delivered in partnership with Murdoch University, providing opportunities for direct university entry. The program operates from years 7–10 and students have classes for four hours each week. Students can continue studying aspects of the program in years 11 and 12 in the form of VET subjects.
The school campus was used as a primary filming location for the short film, Ronan's Escape.
Engineering
The school offers a specialist engineering program. The program focuses on a diverse range of engineering studies including electrical, mechanical, chemical, environmental and civil engineering.[9] The program is delivered in partnership with the University of Western Australia.
Remnants of the colonial era remain on what is now GSSHS site. Mature Olive trees growing on the high bank overlooking the Swan River are believed to have originated in the colonial period. The school stands on the site of a small cottage built by James Stirling during the Swan River Colony's infancy.
Captain James Stirling, R.N., First Governor, Commander-in-Chief, and Vice Admiral of Western Australia from 1829–1839 erected a 'Cottage Orne' here prior to 21 July 1831.
