Curious about Canley Vale High School? It is more than just classrooms and corridors. Established in 1965 on former orchard land, Canley Vale High School now educates around 1500 students.
Let’s step onto the Canley Vale High School campus. You will notice the central quadrangle. The historic bell tower once stood here. The school restored the foundation bell in time for its 50th anniversary. Sadly it was stolen a few weeks later. Police recovered it from a creek. Now the bell rests safely on a metal frame. It marks the tower’s original spot.
Canley Vale High School boasts modern facilities. These include a renovated hall and a double-storey library. There is an administrative facility, a canteen and computer labs. A lecture theatre sits at the school’s eastern end. You’ll also find a Timber Trades Centre and a Learning Hub. Near the quadrangle is the school gym. It replaced the old table tennis complex.
Orphan School Creek and Ada Street Reserve border Canley Vale High School. These natural boundaries add to the school’s setting. Students use Sherwin Park and Parkes Reserve for sports. They are located near the school. Both Canley Vale and Carramar railway stations are about 10–15 minutes away.
The school’s multicultural environment attracts students from beyond the local area. Many students come from non-English speaking backgrounds. These include Cambodian, Chinese and Vietnamese heritage. Some students have Polynesian backgrounds.
Canley Vale High School maintains strong community ties. It holds a reputation for academic excellence. The school fosters high expectations. In 2016, it ranked highest in the state for HSC results. This was among schools with the lowest socio-educational advantage.
Like many Australian schools, Canley Vale High School uses a house system. Students are assigned to a house based on their surname. The four houses compete in swimming, athletics and cross country. They are Bonham which is represented by red, Horsley which is represented by yellow, Lennox represented by green and Parkes which is represented by blue.
Several notable alumni have walked these halls. Jason Clare is a politician and Member for Blaxland. Maria Tran is an actress and filmmaker. Trung Ly is a martial arts choreographer.
Canley Vale High School stands on spacious grounds. It provides extensive playing areas. A park and watercourse border the school. The school is close to major transport links. It maintains a quiet location. Canley Vale High School embodies a comprehensive education. It strives for student excellence. Its motto? “We Care”.