Aviation State High School, (referred to colloquially as 'Aviation High', or Aviation High School') previously Hendra Secondary College, is an independent public high school, situated on Widdop Street, Hendra, Queensland Australia 4011. Aviation State High School is a 'co-ed' school providing education for years 7 to 12. The Principal is David Munn.
As a independent state high school in Queensland, Australia, Aviation SHS uses a catchment area based enrolment system, and out of catchment enrolment through a Selective Entry Process.
Aviation High is also home to No. 220 Squadron, Australian Air Force Cadets, where cadet activities, and weekly Monday night parades are held, with the squadron's headquarters housed in a demountable building.
The School
History
Aviation High is located in Clayfield, Brisbane, near the Brisbane International Airport and Toombul shopping centre. It has had a number of name changes over the years; ‘Hendra Secondary College’, as it was known previously, opened on Tuesday 29 January 1963 as Hendra State High School. In 1990 the name changed to Hendra Secondary College, and provided education not only to high school students, but also to adults who could enrol in the school and participate in grades 10–12, in night classes. The Principal is David Munn who was appointed in Semester 2 2013.
"Gateway to Aerospace Industries" programme
In 2004, the school became part of the "Gateway to the Aerospace Industries" programme. This programme added elements to the curriculum at schools around the state, in order to give students an environment that was relevant to their careers in the aviation industry. It does this by incorporating aviation themes and topics into each subject, as well as by promoting pathways to aviation careers.
By the end of 2006, the Aerospace Project had been so successful that the then Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, MP announced the establishment of Aviation High on the existing Hendra Secondary College site. Classes commenced in January 2007 under the new name; although it would take over a year before uniforms and other items bearing the previous name Hendra Secondary College, were completely replaced.
School Sports
Aviation High has three sporting houses that compete against each other, Miller (green), Hinkler (red), and Kingsford-Smith (yellow), named after famous Australian aviators Robin Miller, Bert Hinkler, and Charles Kingsford-Smith respectively. The competition between the houses is tight in the annual Cross-Country, Swimming, Athletics and Intra-School sport.
Infrastructure and Facilities
The school has 11 main buildings, A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L blocks, the Hall, and the Canteen. A Block is mainly computer rooms, with one science lab on the lower level of the building. B block is where the communications department has many rooms, with the exception of a Technology lab, and a Computer workshop, leased to the Rotary Club of Nundah. A dedicated high-end computer roosm, where coding classes take place, and a recording studio, are also located in this block. C block is a multi-use block, with the administration office and many general-use classrooms being located here. D block is the Aeroskills Technology Block, where Manual Arts and Graphics takes place. The block has 3 workshops and one classroom - for Graphics. A laser cutter is located in this block. E block is an annex to A block, with a Multi Media Room (Theatre) and Career Education being housed here. H block is where the Hospitality kitchens are located, as well as theory classrooms, and a cabin-crew training area, with actual seats from a Boeing 767 being used for realism. J block is the dedicated Science block, with 4 science laboratories and a special room for Flight Simulator's inside J block. Most Science classes are held here, and are all fitted with smart-boards as standard. K Block is another name for the Library. The Library houses over 1000 books, and a gym underneath for HPE classes. There are also 2 annexes for classes to be held, or presentations to be given as well as a computer room. L Block is where Art classes are held. Inside is a studio, and a Mac Lab. Outside is a Fire-powered kiln, for clay works completed over the year. Next to L block is the Hall, which is used for Futsal, Basketball, Assemblies and (once) plane storage. The hall is well used. The Canteen is a popular place at Aviation High, with fresh food is prepared by a school-hired chef.