How about a tale of orchards and ambition right here at Asquith Boys High School? This isn’t just any school. It’s a place built on history. It is a place of growth.
Asquith Boys High School stands on land once owned by the Fear family. They were Hornsby pioneers. Imagine citrus orchards stretching where you now stand. Hugh and Jeremiah Fear cultivated this land. Jeremiah’s 22 acres form much of the school today.
Jeremiah lived in a bark hut while clearing his land. He later built a weatherboard home. The Northern railway line cut through his property in 1887. William Fear inherited the land. His orchard boasted citrus fruits, apricots and peaches. By 1934 the orchard became a cattle paddock.
The school’s story took root in the 1950s. The original plan was Hornsby TAFE. A bushfire changed everything. The threat was too great. Asquith became the new site.
But the journey wasn’t smooth. Construction delays meant students started the year in different locations. Half were at Hornsby. The other half were at Chatswood High School. Some even found temporary classrooms at Asquith Girls High School.
Finally on June 24 1960 Asquith Boys High School moved to its current site. The school was still under construction. Block E and the school hall were not ready until 1961. Mervyn Brown was the first principal. He composed the school song “Grow in Wisdom”.
In 1964 Dave Wilson became the first school captain. By then there were over 1000 students. The school was officially opened by A.W. Stephens.
Sport has always been a focus at Asquith Boys High School. Principal Austen Hughes supported all sports. He ensured the school had the best equipment. The school created sports houses named after native trees. They are Kurrajong, Wandoo, Myall and Cooba.
The school has produced many talented sportsmen. Richard Temple excelled in hockey. Daniel Arnamnart was an Olympic swimmer. George Blackwood played soccer for Adelaide United.
One early event was the ABHS 50 Mile Walk. It started in Kurrajong and ended at the school. Students and teachers participated. Sadly it stopped after an attack on participants. The ABHS 50 hours of touch football broke a record in 1979.
Asquith Boys High School has shaped many successful individuals. Lloyd Babb became NSW Director of Public Prosecutions. Rolf De Heer is a leading filmmaker. Gary McKay is a military historian.
Today Asquith Boys High School continues to thrive. Bryce Grant is the current principal. The school motto remains “Grow in Wisdom”. It is a place where boys grow into men. They achieve great things.
So as you stand here remember the orchards. Remember the pioneers. Remember the fire. Remember the journey. You are standing on a foundation of history. This is Asquith Boys High School.