Mount Lawley High School opened in 1955 although it was not to move to the buildings in Woodsome Street until 1956. The first 400 students were housed at the old Highgate Infants School in Bulwer Street under the Principalship of Mr. James Best. Meanwhile, on part of the burnt out Scadden Pine Plantation ( and the rehabilitated rubbish dump site ) construction was underway on the first phase of the new buildings.
1960 was a year to remember for Mount Lawley High School. In that year it took the first class of year 11 students thus becoming a Senior High School and one of the largest schools in the State with a population of over 1300 students.
1971 was another significant year for Mount Lawley Senior High School, as it was in that year that it was developed into a Special Language School.
Redevelopment
In the fifty-year span of Mount Lawley Senior High School there have been many changes in education, buildings and personalities. The latest major change is the rebuilding of the School which was announced by the Minister for Education in November 2001.
A significantly different years 8 - 12 campus will be provided on the existing school site. The design and organisation of the facilities on the new campus provides exciting opportunities to create more flexible and innovative learning environments to meet the educational needs of all students.
During 2004 the face of Mount Lawley Senior High School changed dramatically. The Middle School Buildings were completed, occupied by Year 8 and 9 students and officially opened by the Minister for Education, Mr Alan Carpenter on November 10, 2004. The Middle School facilities and educational programs were acknowledged as the way forward for government schools.
Also during 2004 the Tricycle Theatre and the Sport and Fitness Centre (a joint facility with Edith Cowan University) were completed.
At the beginning of 2005, Science, Visual Arts, Food Technology, Textiles and Human Development relocated to the new specialist facilities building.
At the beginning of 2006 the new Senior School, Cafeteria, Library and Student Services facilities were completed. Groundworks and landscaping, including new turf on the ovals, was also completed.
Mount Lawley Senior High School, one of the premier public schools in Western Australia. Founded in 1955, Mount Lawley SHS has served its community through the provision of high quality programs over many years and boasts an impressive alumni.
Mount Lawley SHS is a school that values Achievement, Excellence, Tolerance, Respect, Perseverance and Learning. It offers a range of programs including Gifted and Talented Languages and the Specialist Visual and Performing Arts course. These are popular and entry is competitive. The school has academic extension classes in Year 8-10 and offers upper-school students a wide range of subjects. It is the only school in WA to offer the Certificate IV in Music in partnership with the WA Academy of Performing Arts.
If enjoys significant parent support through an active P&C Association and a number of parent committees associated with programs. Parents play a real role in the school, including managing the most successful art auction conducted in a WA public school.
The school encourages students to develop as whole people and to make a contribution to improving the opportunities of those less fortunate. The Community Service Program continues to be offered despite it no longer being a factor in graduation. The Rotary Club of Mount Lawley is proud to support this program. In 2010 the school has established a relationship with the 4 September Secondary School in Dili, Timor and students conduct fund raising activities to assist the school.
Students at Mount Lawley SHS also enjoy a holistic program. There are opportunities to represent the school in a range of sports, participate in the arts and join the Bush Rangers Cadets. In their schooling program they are supported by a dedicated Student Services Team who are able to provide specialist assistance. The team assist students engage in their schooling.
Students are able to participate in a range of inter-state and international study tours. Language students are able to visit our sister schools in China whilst other tours visit Malaysia and Europe. Music students take part in inter-state festivals and S&E students can visit the national capital.
Mount Lawley SHS cares about students and has a stable and experienced staff. Its students achieve well and are able to enter a full range of post-school pathways. The aim of the school is to have its graduates reflect on their learning journey and say with pride "I am pleased to have attended Mount Lawley SHS, a place of learning excellence".
