Towards the end of 1949 - for want of a local school - children of the Wando Heights district travelled 6 miles to Nareen or learnt by correspondence. In recognition of the urgent need, W. KOCH donated suitable land and the parents combined to erect a school consisting of a classroom and a separate small TV theatrette. The Department provided the furniture and appointed Miss J. CLODE as HT of the 16 pupils enrolled, when the school opened on 6th of February 1951. Present at the first Committee meeting in 1951 were the district people who initiated the establishment of the school: Cr. S. SPIERS, Messrs E.J. COXON, L.G. KOCH, D. REID, H.R. JONES and Mrs PEARCE. C. AUSTIN always interested in the school, organised the planting of the trees and the gardens to create a very attractive environment. Many teachers spent short periods at the school including Misses J. CLODE, V. McNALLY, R. RADLEY and Messrs W. PETERSON, I. WEBSTER, D. HUTTON, D. THOMPSON, K. TEASDALE, G. RODGERS, D. MILLICH, L. COLDWELL. Though the school's life has been comparatively short, a number of pupils have distinguished themselves: P.A. JONES (Doctor), E. REID (Rotary Exchange Student), M. SPIERS (Diploma of Dietics & Nutrition), A. WOODROFFE (Doctor of Science), G. WOODROFFE (agricultural specialist), L. WOODROFFE and J. KOCH (primary tachers), C. BEATON and M. COXON (nurses).

Source: "Vision & Realisation", Vol 2, Education Department of Victoria.

Wando Heights Ex-Students

• Albert JONES : Doctor, Queensland
• Verna HARKER : Teaching
• Beverly ROBERTSON : Bachelor of Nursing, Deakin University
• Helen ROBERTSON : Nursing