State High in the 1930s

Mr Waddle was school principal and together with a dedicated staff instilled the pupils with a great sense of values.

There was only the Red Brick Building, Block A. The boy's occupying one end and the girls the other. Although a co-ed school boys and girls were strictly segregated and used separate stairways in the building.

Choir practice, lead by Mr Kemp, was held in the gymnasium now the staff common room. The pianist was Mr Jenks who wrote the words for the school song to the tune of White Horse Inn.

Interform and Interschool sports were held at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground and swimming was held at the Valley Baths. Speech night was held at the City Hall.

The girl's uniform hasn't changed greatly - black shoes and stockings were always worn and the panama hat and gloves were compulsory.

State High has produced some great achievers in the academic and sporting fields. It was, and still is, a wonderful school and I always feel very proud to have been a student.

author: Mrs Nell Ball (Midgley)

2005

Mrs. Nell Ball passed away. Nell was the mother of Helen Robbins, one of the teacher aides who has looked after the printery for many years.

Nell Midgley attended State High from 1929 until 1934. She was involved in Hockey and Athletics, and was appointed Captain of both teams. Nell won the Hollinshead and Audrey Smith Cups, an honour attained by very few students. She was Senior Champion in 1932, 1933 and 1934. In her later years, Nell donated the Nell Midgley trophy, which is still awarded to the Most Improved Junior Girl in Athletics.

The photo is of Nell Midgley in her State High uniform of the ‘30s. Current girl athletes will be horrified to learn that the heavy black stockings worn in the photo also had to be worn while playing sport.

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