“Diligence conquers all.” That is the motto of Caringbah High School. We stand before Caringbah High School a beacon of academic excellence in Caringbah. This government-funded co-educational school opened in 1960.
Initially, Caringbah High School consisted of two campuses. The southern campus was known as “top school”. The northern campus was “bottom school”. A covered walkway linked them. “Top school” suffered from an unstable clay foundation. The campus began sinking. A consolidation project started in 2007. It finished in 2012. Now only “bottom school” is in use.
The abandoned “top school” became a site of urban decay. Vandalism marked its walls. In 2013, arson destroyed the school hall there. Another fire struck in 2015. Despite this, Caringbah High School thrives.
Caringbah High School became academically selective in 1989. It is the only co-educational selective high school in the Sutherland Shire. Around 907 students were enrolled as of 2021. Nearby schools include Endeavour Sports High School. Woolaware High School and Port Hacking High School are also close.
Caringbah High boasts an Outdoor Learning Centre. It began construction in 2013. Students and staff designed it together. The OLC features a central “pod” for classes. Five smaller “pods” surround it. These focus on bush tucker and xeriscaping. There is also a meditative garden. An indigenous garden and a sensory garden complete the OLC.
Students can join the “Talented Computing Program”. This elective is for Years 9 and 10. Students can start their Higher School Certificate course early. Completion allows a first-year university computing course in Year 11.
Caringbah High School offers many co-curricular activities. Public speaking and debating are popular. Students participate in the Tournament of Minds. HSC distinction courses are also available.
Music thrives at Caringbah High. The school has twenty-four musical ensembles. They compete in events like the Sydney Eisteddfod. A new Music Centre houses classrooms and practice rooms.
Sporting teams also flourish. Caringbah High fields teams in various sports. These include water polo and rugby league. Students also play soccer and cross country. Lawn bowls and field hockey are options too. Mountain biking and tennis are offered. Cricket and squash teams compete as well. The Boys Open Football Team won the NSW Combined High Schools Knockout Competition in 2023.
Green Edge is Caringbah High’s environmental committee. It promotes sustainability within the school. The committee upgrades light switches and introduces worm farms. They also maintain a school garden.
Caringbah High School maintains debating teams for all grades. In 2014 and 2018, Year 10 students won the Les Gordon History Debating Competition. The school also offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. Prince Philip presented the award at Caringbah High in 1973.
Caringbah High School students achieve high HSC marks. Many gain entrance into university. The school’s HSC rankings are consistently strong.
Several notable alumni attended Caringbah High School. Lang Walker is a billionaire businessman. Tamara Ralph is a fashion designer. Jayne Azzopardi is a news anchor. Michael Hing is a comedian. Neel Kolhatkar is also a comedian. Mark Speakman is a politician.
The TV series Puberty Blues filmed at Caringbah High School.
Caringbah High School stands as a testament to diligence and achievement. Its rich history and commitment to excellence make it a remarkable institution.