Hurlstone Agricultural High School

 

Hurlstone Agricultural High School
Motto	Pro Patria (Variously translatable as "For Country", "For Fatherland", "For Home Land", "For Native Land")
Established	April 1 1907
Type	Public partially selective co-educational secondary day/boarding school
Principal	John Norris
Founder	John Kinlock
Students	961
Grades	7–12
Location	Glenfield, NSW, Australia
Campus	112 hectares
Colours	Blue, Yellow, Red
Website	www.hurlstone.com.au

Hurlstone Agricultural High School (abbreviated HAHS) is a partially selective agricultural secondary school for students from Years 7 to 12 in Glenfield, the oldest of its type in New South Wales, Australia. It is unique in that it is the state's only public partially selective and agricultural school that also includes a coeducational boarding school. It was also the first public boarding school in NSW. The 1.2 km² campus is dominated by its operational farm and includes sporting facilities and student accommodation. As it is a NSW public school, it is also participates in sporting events, in particular, Rugby Union and Hockey.

The school has been plagued by controversies and negative media attention for the greater part of the last decade. Media atttention was initially focused on the school when newspapers reported on the school hoarding public money. A great number of scandals have continued to savage the school's once esteemed reputation, including more recent charges of bullying, nepotism and financial mismanagement.^[1] These are described in sections entitled 'Media and Controversies', 'Financial Mismanagement' and 'Nepotism'. Poor academic performance has also detracted from the school's reputation.^[2]

As of 2004, the New South Wales Department of Education and Training regards the school as "partially selective". The school was previously regarded as selective.^[3]

History

Hurlstone was established as a boys-only school in 1907 in Hurlstone Park, approximately ten kilometres south west of Sydney, at the present site of Trinity Grammar School. Girls weren't accepted until around the 1970s. The original owner of the land was a teacher, John Kinloch, one of the first graduates of the University of Sydney. He named the land 'Hurlstone Estate', after his mother's maiden name, with the aim of setting up his own school on it.

In those days, most students completed their schooling after primary school and students at 'Hurlstone Agricultural Continuation School' (as it was known at the time) studied there for only two years. In 1926, the school moved to its present site in Glenfield, approximately 42 km south west of Sydney (between Liverpool and Campbelltown) and serviced by the Main Southern Railway. By then, its student numbers had grown from 30 (in 1907) to 148. The school supported government policy to promote productivity in the agricultural sector through the training of boys in all aspects of agricultural sciences and farm management.

For a brief period in the 1940s, it was known as 'Macarthur Agricultural High School', in honour of woolgrower John Macarthur. However, the school soon reverted to its previous name.

Female students were first admitted to Hurlstone Agricultural High School in 1979. ^{[citation needed]}

Hurlstone has had 12 principals: Mr F. McMullen (1907-16), Mr George Longmuir (1917-38), Mr P. Hindmarsh (1939-45), Mr J. Mc. E. King (1946-53), Mr C. G. James (1954-67), Mr R. W. Clarke (1968-78), Mr J. F. White (1979-82), Mr G. K. Wilson (1983-87), Mr R. M. Kidd (1988- mid 2003), Mr J. Norris (mid 2003- May 2006), Mr O. Kenny (May-Dec 2006), Mr J. Norris (March 2007- ).

George Longmuir, the school's longest serving principal, was, as cited by former principal Michael Kidd, 'undoubtedly [the school's] most colourful'. In the 1931 Harvester, he stated in his editorial that: 'Team spirit counts. The team before the player; that is the thing. The school before the pupil, the state before the citizen.' Similarly, he later stated in the 1934 Harvester that ' ‘Not till we have imbibed the spirit of the school, not till the ideas behind our school motto—Work and Service—has become the driving force of our daily activities are we really ourselves.’ These archconservative statements may appear to indicate fascist or National Socialist sympathies, in tune with his suspected membership in the New Guard.

Controversies and Media Attention

In 2002, Hinchinbrook teenager and Hurlstone student Hamidur Rahman died on year 8 camp at Yanco Agricultural High School near Leeton in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of western NSW: the official cause of death was described as anaphylactic shock resulting from ingestion of peanut butter.

In 2004 a Departmental inquiry exposed an array of poor welfare practices within the boarding school. The scrutiny came about as a result of a defamatory website, 'Throwstones' (the website's title a play on the school's name), which was created but removed several days later: although it was only available for access for between two and three weeks, a number of students and teachers either accessed it directly or were made aware of its presence and content.

A review, the results of which were issued on May 31, 2004, by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, concluded that "there was a culture of protection of the school's reputation, even if that necessitated some acceptance of unsuitable practices and behaviours" (Doherty, 2004) among teachers and administrative staff.

As of September 21, Hurlstone is under investigation by the Department of Education, due to "allegations of psychological intimidation, bullying and harassment of staff by the school management."^[4]

Reports say that staff members were removed from the school by the Department for the staff members' own protection. The staff members' claims included being subject to harrassment and intimidation by school management over a long period of time. One instance of such intimidation was when a snake was found to have been put in a staff member's room in order to scare them.

The Education Department said that the "wellbeing and safety of students and staff are priorities for the Department of Education and Training, with bullying of any sort not tolerated."^[5]

Financial Mismanagement

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on May 26, 2006, that the high school's principal, John Norris, has been stood aside after admitting to selling school furniture on eBay. Mr Norris said he had raised about $2000 for the school from the sale of surplus industrial arts work benches. He said many of the 11 items were sold for cash and receipts had been given only when specifically requested. "I guess you could sell it on the street corner if you wanted to," Mr Norris said in the paper. The profits gained from the sales of these desks were intended to fund 45 new school computers to improve school facilities.^[6]

Mr Norris has since been reinstated as principal. According to the Daily Telegraph, the Government and Related Employees Appeal Tribunal "was told Mr Norris spent tens of thousands of dollars of public funds without approval. He sought reimbursement from school funds for a $500 dinner for six at Sydney's Intercontinental Hotel, claiming they were a business expense. The tribunal said that meal and others were not valid charges and Mr Norris's conceptualisation of them as conference dinners was "entirely misguided.""^[7]

Recently more very serious charges have been laid against Hurlstone. According to the Sydney Morning Herald's report of September 29, "angry parents and former teachers at NSW's oldest government boarding school, Hurlstone Agricultural High, have raised serious allegations of financial mismanagement and bullying at the school."^[8]

According to the school's financial records, Hurlstone is half a million dollars in debt, and $150,000 dollars has gone missing from accounts. The Herald article states that "a culture of bullying of staff has continued unchecked, despite being identified in 2004 by a high-level NSW Department of Education inquiry."

The Herald reports a parent of a school student as stating, "There are serious financial mismanagement issues that aren't being followed up."

The school's financial records show "that a $150,000 Federal Government grant for a multipurpose gymnasium area is no longer in the trust account, where it has been held since 2005." The Herald article states, "A line item in the cash-flow analysis called Funding Support, which Mr Norris confirmed held the $150,000, had an opening balance of $181,537 and closing balance of $758. Parents, concerned that work to build the structure has not begun, have begun asking questions about the money."^[9]

Principal John Norris claimed that "the gymnasium grant was not missing", but "could not explain why the amount was no longer included in the financial committee records."

Furthermore, the Herald report states that "the school's cash-flow analysis for its finance meeting of July 27 shows boarding fees were $508,299 in the red and that a cash transfer of $270,000, confirmed by Mr Norris, was made from the day school funds to help cover running costs for the boarding school."^[10]

Mr. Norris also dismissed a 44 percent blowout in the school's night security budget as "an accounting error". The finance records show that funds allocated to pay the night security team were $37,161 over budget.

Last year, an Education Department tribunal "upheld allegations of financial mismanagement" by Mr. Norris. The department was required to monitor his accounting practices.^[11]

Nepotism

Mr. Norris has also defended his decision to "hire three members of the immediate family of Mark Sargeant, the school's deputy principal, to undertake night security at the school". Parents had raised concerns about the employment of Mr. Sargeant's wife, his brother, and his brother's wife, as night security staff.

"I saw nothing sinister or inappropriate in their employment," Mr Norris said.

According to Sue Walsh, president of the Public Service Association, three of her members were transferred out of the school due to their being bullied and harrassed. A fourth member, since retired, has made similar claims.^[12]

Poor Academic Performance

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, in 2004 students were "only just managing to beat the state average" in the HSC English course. The article sites confidential figures which indicate that "the school has recorded English results since 2001 that are marginally above the average."^[13]

The Herald has analysed the percentage of Hurlstone students achieving the top English band. This analysis states that in English, Hurlstone is "behind 17 fully and partially selective schools, 13 comprehensive government schools and 55 private schools."

The New South Wales Department of Education and Training has said in a statement that Hurlstone is no longer regarded as a selective school. Rather, it is classed as a "residential agricultural high school", which is "part-selective". The statement goes on to say that Hurlstone's academic results cannot "be compared with fully selective high schools."

The school has also had to "confront a high student dropout rate in science subjects, despite enrolling some of the state's brightest students."

In 2001, the Department of Education reviewed senior science teaching and student performance at Hurlstone. The report found that half of the students in 2001 who elected to study an HSC science subject had dropped it by year 12. Many more students changed from physics, chemistry and biology to easier subjects.

In an attempt to counter future reports of poor academic performance, the school's English faculty has "increased writing practice for students" and provided "more tutoring for HSC students".

The Departmental report stated that "[in] light of the selective nature of the student body, the course change phenomenon in the science faculty is of concern." ^[14]

These reports have long disproven the local assumption that Hurlstone achieves high academic results as a school. ^[15]

Recently, revelation of confidential data showed underperformance in HSC subjects at Hurlstone. The school was attacked on the grounds of its academic underachievement.^{[citation needed]}

In the past 4 years however (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003), 50% or more of the Hurlstone year 12 cohort gained a UAI of 90+

Population

Enrolment in the school is dependent on examinations of Year 6 students from across the state. New students coming in later grades have to sit a similar exam.

The student population of about 960 is divided between boarder students (who reside on the school grounds and originate mainly from country NSW), and day students (who commute mostly from the south western Sydney region). The boarder-day student ratio is roughly 1:3. For sporting and accommodation purposes the school is divided into four houses: Farrer (red), Macarthur (yellow), Wentworth (blue) and [Lachlan] Macquarie (green).

Campus

The Hurlstone Campus covers the area from Glenfield Train station, along Roy Watts Road and extends to sections of Quarter Sessions Road near the Hume Highway. Some of the day students travel by train to their homes. The main entrance to the school is located on Roy Watts Road, although many students enter from the Horne Park gate at Glenfield station. The school is serviced by the East Hills, South and Cumberland train lines.

Hurlstone features a fully functional farm and a commercial dairy. Some of the livestock on the farm include:

• Various beef and dairy cattle
• Sheep
• Pigs
• Chicken
• Boer Goats
• Alpacas
• Peacocks

The school's swimming pool is located next to the boarding school, and is used for swimming carnivals, school sports and recreational purposes.

Clarke House is a heritage listed building which houses a Hurlstone memorabilia museum.

On Roy Watts Road past the boarding school there is a memorial forest with trees planted in the shape of a cross. The memorial forest is where the Anzac Day and Remembrance day ceremonies are held.

Traditions

The school motto is Pro Patria, a latin phrase which can be translated variously as For Country, For Fatherland, or For Native Land. The school organises an annual Country Fair on the last Saturday in August, involving student families across the state. There is also a school warcry and an annual rugby match between the Year 12 boarders and day students, and old Boys and First Grade Rugby. Another Tradition includes 'detagging' the new year sevens. Students from higher grades will atempt to tear off the tag on the back of the tie from the winter uniform. Although only known by Hurlstonians, it is widely practised inside the schools.

Extracurricular activities

The school allows students to engage in both co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Students can join certain clubs which promote these activities. Some groups are fairly unique to public schools within the district. These include the Cadet corps, Interact and Rural Youth. Sport is an important part of extracurricular life at Hurlstone.

Notable alumni

Academic

• Dr Lester Hiatt, Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Harvard 1990-91; (p. 727 Who's Who in Australia 1995)
• Professor Ross Street, Personal Chair in Mathematics at Macquarie University;
• Roy Watts, AO - Former Director-General NSW Agriculture
• Gareth White - featured on Nerds FC series 2 and represented Australia in the 2002 International Mathematics Olympiad

Politics and law

• John Kerin - politician, former Treasurer of Australia
• Mark Latham - politician, former Leader of Australian Labor Party
• Jim Lees - former Commissioner of the New South Wales Police

Military

• Sir William Keys Kt AC MC, National Secretary of RSL; (p. 619 Who's Who in Australia 1977)
• John Hurst Edmondson VC - soldier in World War II; the Hurlstone school hall is named in his honour
• Andrew Sims - Brigadier General, served in Pakistan and East Timor

Arts and Media

• Toby Allen - singer
• Phil Burton - singer
• Peter Moore - author
• Kate Ritchie - actress
• Andrew Tierney - singer
• Michael Tierney - singer
• Subby Valentine - comedian
• Dan O'Connor - Top 12 of 2004 Australian Idol and actor
• Margaret Tierney - former Miss Australia (1995)
• Som Guan - featured on Nerds FC series 1

Sport

• David Lyons - rugby union player, Wallabies

See also

• List of Government schools in New South Wales
• List of selective high schools in New South Wales
• List of boarding schools

External links

• Hurlstone Agricultural High School website
• Hurlstone Agricultural High School Alumni website
• NSW Department of Education and Training: Hurlstone Agricultural High School
• [1] Hurlstone Classrooms-Wikimapia

References

• Dalley, Helen (2005). "The Sunday Show: When food can be fatal". Retrieved Jun. 4, 2005.
• Said, Maria (2002). "Hamidur's Tragic, Preventable Death". Retrieved Jun. 4, 2005
• Doherty, Linda (Aug. 24, 2004). "Trouble At Throwstones". The Age.
• Doherty, Linda (Dec. 21, 2004). "Scathing report on school of excellence". Sydney Morning Herald.
• Doherty, Linda (Jul. 17, 2004). "Selective school scores barely above average". Sydney Morning Herald.
• Patty, Anna (Sep. 29, 2007). "Parents demand answers over top school's finances". Sydney Morning Herald.
• Benson, Simon (Sep. 21, 2007). "Bullied school teachers leave for own safety". The Daily Telegraph.

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