Miami State High School

Miami State High School front entrance

Miami State High School
Location
Miami, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
Coordinates	28°3′47.04″S 153°26′19.83″E / 28.0630667°S 153.4388417°E / -28.0630667; 153.4388417Coordinates: 28°3′47.04″S 153°26′19.83″E / 28.0630667°S 153.4388417°E / -28.0630667; 153.4388417
Information
Type	Public, Secondary, Day school
Motto	Semper Floreat Costa
Established	April, 1963
Principal	Jim Baker
Enrolment	1300 students (grades 7-12)
Campus	Urban
Colour(s)	Yellow, blue, and white
Website	miamishs.eq.edu.au

Miami State High School is a school in Miami, Queensland established as South Coast District State High School in 1963.

Early history

Originally named South Coast District State High School, Miami High was officially opened in April, 1963. It soon became known as Miami High and, after a number of years, the more compact name was officially adopted. It was built to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding population on the Gold Coast. At the time, the only public high schools were Southport High School and Tweed River High School, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) apart, with the site of Miami High about midway between the two on the Gold Coast Highway at the very northern end of Miami.

The chosen site presented a number of construction challenges because the southern half was a swamp and the northern half was on the steep slope of Nobby's Headland, an upthrust of schist about 50 m high at its highest point. The challenges were met by the simple expedient of blasting the slope and dumping the rubble in the swamp, but with a consequent complete loss of topsoil that created enduring problems for many years.

Construction always stayed behind the needs of the students throughout the sixties. This was for three reasons: (a) it was an entirely new school competing with established schools for resources in a state that had allowed chronic neglect of its education infrastructure and which was in far worse condition than the larger states of Victoria (Australia) and New South Wales, (b) Miami High's construction coincided precisely with the transition of the Baby Boom Generation from primary school to high school, and (c) in 1964, Queensland's primary schools ceased to teach the eighth year, which was transferred to the high schools, so that the entry year to high school became year 8.

Consequently, in 1964, the infant Miami High went from catering to year 9 to catering to years 8, 9 and 10 with the state barely able to provide enough classrooms for the start of the year. 1965 and 1966 saw open underschool areas, originally intended for protection from sun and rain, being converted to temporary classrooms and several flimsy demountable buildings being installed as other temporary classrooms. Despite their nominally temporary nature, many of these structures were still in use twenty years later. In 1967, the Australian federal government built a two-story, four-laboratory science block, as part of a program to improve the teaching of science throughout Australia. Several of the laboratories were promptly pressed into service as regular classrooms.

The first principal was Claude Rayner, an immensely capable man, whose integrity, approachability and fair-mindedness, made him universally respected and popular. Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the school led to its being re-classified at a higher level and a more senior principal, John Rowe, was given the position in 1967. Claude Rayner died a premature death of a heart attack a few years later in his early fifties. John Rowe was principal from 1967 to 1968. Bill Callinan took over as principal in 1969. Known in some circles as "dollar bill", he placed a very high priority on building a large assembly hall at the school. His vigorous pursuit of this aim and the funding targets placed on individual classes to raise money for the project were not universally welcomed.

The first deputy principal was Ken Maynard, appointed in 1967. The first senior mistress was Beryl McSloy (later Hallam), who later became one of the deputy principals. Ken Maynard went on to become principal of Bremer River High. Beryl Hallam died in a road accident. The first school captains, George Gilltrap jnr and Frola Skovlund, were appointed in 1964.

Current status

The current principal is Mr Jim Baker and attendance at the school has approximately 1200 students with over 55 teaching staff, and many more non-teaching and ancillary staff members. Miami High has also introduced an international exchange program with students from all over the world now attending the school. With the sudden increase in population on the Gold Coast, Miami High expect; and are on track with their target enrolment figures of 900 to 950 students.

Miami High boasts a student attendance rate of 94%, with the school opinion survey showing higher levels of satisfaction compared to "like schools" in many of the social climate items. The School Opinion Survey on data regarding school community relations indicates higher school means compared to "like schools".

Expenditure on teacher participation in professional development for the year 2006 reached a total of $24,530. Permanent and temporary staff at the school had an attendance rate of 96% for the same year. The retention rate of staff from 2005 to 2006 was 95%. Student retention rates from year 8 to year 12 was 75%.

Notable alumni

• Amanda Ware, Australia's Next Top Model, Cycle 6 Winner^[1][2]
• Anna Bligh, Former Premier of Queensland.
• Benjamin Schulte, swimmer, 2012 Olympian
• Scott McGrory, OAM, cyclist, 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist
• Alex Glenn, New Zealand Rugby League International

See also

• List of schools in Queensland

References