From Adelaide Technical High School in Retrospect

by Oscar C. Knauerhase M.A., B.Ed, Dip.Ed.

Just three years before the turn of the century, there was established the small secondary school later to become known as the Adelaide Technical High School, unique among the secondary schools of Adelaide.

In 1897, a Central School of Agriculture, administered by the Education Department, was set up in Adelaide. Its students attended the South Australian School of Mines to do a preparatory course in chemistry, physics and mathematics to enable them to attend the Roseworthy Agricultural College.⁵ The headmaster was Mr A. Ferguson, B.Sc. It was one of the first secondary schools for boys under the jurisdiction of the Education Department.

In the ensuing years, the expenditure involved, about $800 in present currency, was considered unwarranted and the school ceased to be a departmental one. In 1903 it was taken over by the SA School of Mines, as it was called until 1960, when it became the Institute of Technology.⁶ Its Council had decided to run a preparatory school to assist boys waiting to undertake its own diploma courses in engineering and mining, as well as those intending to undertake agricultural studies. The Council made two rooms available on the top floor of the Brookman building. Sixty years later they were still in use as classrooms for boys doing the technical courses of the Adelaide Technical High School. Mr Ferguson was also the headmaster of this preparatory school.

By 1913, when the school was called the Preparatory Technical School, a course extending over two years had been instituted. Except in general academic subjects, for which there were separate instructors, students were to receive tuition from the same lecturers and to use the same laboratories as those doing the diploma courses. The syllabus for 1914 provided for a course of study similar to that in use for many years afterwards. As well as English, mathematics, physics and chemistry, there were drawing, woodwork, sheetmetal work and fitting and turning.

Fees for courses in the preparatory school were abolished in 1914. At about the same time its name was changed to Junior Technical School. It was to serve two main purposes; to prepare students for School of Mines courses, and to provide a suitable secondary schooling for those wanting to enter directly into commerce and industry. Over the years, the school served both aims well. In 1915 girls were admitted and a commercial course was provided.

Almost from the outset an entrance qualification was required. At first this was merely to ensure that the prospective students had had at least a certain minimum of primary schooling to ensure they would be able to profit from the instruction given. This was the fifth grade certificate of the public schools. By 1918, there were provisions for an entrance examination in English and arithmetic, and the accepted standard was that of the highest grade in the primary schools. There was also the proviso that the results of the examination would be used for the selection of students if the number seeking admittance exceeded the accommodation available. Such lack of space was to remain a problem for the school throughout its entire stay at North Terrace.

The expansion in the school in 1918 was considerable. Apart from Mr Ferguson, there were now eight members on the general staff, and those provided by the School of Mines in science and in craft had been increased to six. There was also a third year (or Leaving) technical course for boys. A senior commercial class for girls came two years later. Domestic science, again a department of the School of Mines, had become available for girls. Apart from the aims which had existed previously, and still continued, the prospectus explicitly stated that the students would be prepared for the Junior Public, Junior Commercial and Senior Public examinations.

It was to remain one of the chief functions of the school to prepare students for the Public Examinations, better known as the Intermediate, Leaving and Leaving Honours examinations. This task it carried out very effectively.

To indicate better its new status and function, the school became the Technical High School of the SA School of Mines. It was the first technical high school in South Australia, and was unique in that it was co-educational as well. When a few years later, in 1924, the Thebarton Technical High School was established, the full title of Adelaide Technical High School came into use, and it retained this name until the third term of 1974.⁷

The second headmaster was Mr S. Moyle M.A; B.Sc., who was promoted to that position in 1920 after Mr Ferguson had retired. There were just over 300 in the school when he took over. By the time he retired the number had risen to over 450, and in the meantime the school had established its reputation for efficiency and scholarship. Mr Moyle effectively combined teaching with the demanding duties of administration and he found time to be an examiner in PEB arithmetic as well.

Into the curriculum he introduced many modifications which added breadth to the courses of study. Science and history were provided for commercial students, social studies and French became recognised parts of the technical course, music, art and drama were fostered for their cultural value, and some form of training in spiritual matters was always the concern of the school. He retired in 1957 after a distinguished career spanning 42 years with the school.

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