Oak Flats High School History

Oak Flats High School proudly celebrated sixty years of providing quality public secondary education to our community in 2022.

The school stands on the land of the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal Nation, who have cared for Country and maintained strong cultural connections here for thousands of years.

European settlement in the Oak Flats area began in the early 1800s, with Governor Lachlan Macquarie granting 1,200 acres on the southern shores of Lake Illawarra to Army Officer John Horsley in 1821. This land later became part of D’Arcy Wentworth’s Peterborough Estate. The name Oak Flats first appeared in the mid-1800s, describing flat grazing land dotted with she-oak (Casuarina glauca) trees. Subdivisions in the 1920s, combined with post-World War II migration, led to population growth and a clear need for local schools.

1960s Plans of Oak Flats High School Grounds

Early Years and Development

Oak Flats High School opened in 1962 with one building, C Block (industrial arts), 213 Year 7 students, and nine dedicated staff, led by the first Principal, Mr Rex Penfold. Stage 1 of the school also included A Block, with classrooms for maths, science, and kitchens, and B Block, which housed bathrooms and the canteen run by the Ladies Auxiliary. Stage 2 was completed in 1963 with D Block, home to English classrooms, the library, and administration, while plans for Stage 3, E Block — including HSIE classrooms, art studios, and additional science labs — were drawn up the same year.

Oak Flats High School buildings and grounds circa 1965

Students came from Oak Flats, Albion Park, Albion Park Rail, Warilla, and Lake Illawarra South, who had previously attended Kiama or Dapto High Schools. They were grouped into four houses for competitions and roll-marking: Cygnet (blue), Endeavour (orange, later green), Investigator (yellow), and Sirius (red), named after significant ships in Australian history. The school colours — Olympic or Bottle Green, Silver, and College Grey — were reflected in a uniform designed to instil pride and a sense of belonging.

Academically, the first students sat the Intermediate Certificate in 1964, followed by the School Certificate in 1965 and the Higher School Certificate in 1967 under the Wyndham Scheme. When Warilla High School opened in 1965, enrolments from Warilla and Lake Illawarra South declined briefly but soon rose again due to ongoing housing development. By the time Mr Penfold retired in 1969, Oak Flats High School had grown to approximately 970 students and 51 staff, laying a strong foundation for the decades of learning, community, and opportunity that continue today.

1968 Oak Flats High School Staff Photo with Mr Penfold (Principal) on the bottom row.

Leadership and Growth: 1970s–1990s

Mr Thomas Irvine became Oak Flats High School’s second principal in 1970, serving until his retirement at the end of Term 2, 1975. During his tenure, the school Assembly Hall was constructed thanks to persistent advocacy by the Parents and Citizens Association. Following Mr Irvine’s departure, Mr Garth Green served as acting principal for the remainder of 1975. That same year, with the support of a Commonwealth grant, the Library-Laboratory building was built.

Mr Kevin Whitehead took over as the third principal in 1976, becoming the school’s longest-serving principal until 1987. His period saw significant growth and modernisation:

• Curriculum and facilities: Agriculture was introduced with a new agriculture shed (1977), a computer room and video link-up were added by 1987, and new courses such as childcare, newsmakers, photography, drama, and society and culture were offered. Girls were now able to participate in traditionally male-dominated subjects like woodwork, metalwork, and technology.
• Infrastructure: A covered way, car park, and leveled, turfed, and drained school ovals were added. Twenty-two demountable classrooms supported the growing student body of 1,250 students and 94 staff.
• Student life: The prefect system was replaced by a Student Council in 1979, and sports opportunities expanded to include surfing, sailing, aerobics, ten-pin bowling, lawn bowls, cycling, and roller-skating. Discos became the main form of student entertainment and fundraising.

1977 Oak Flats High School at centre

In February 1988, Mr Maxton Ross became Oak Flats High School's forth principal. The school continued to grow, with enrolments surpassing 1,300 students. Key improvements during this period included: the completion of a bus bay, electricity upgrade, installation of a security system, and a new telephone system in 1989. The same year, the Fair Discipline Code was introduced, ending corporal punishment.

By 1991, the opening of Albion Park High School helped ease overcrowding at Oak Flats High School, reducing enrolments to around 850 students and allowing the school to consolidate its facilities and programs.

Oak Flats High School Principals

• 1962 – 1969: Mr Rex Penfold
• 1966 – 1967: Mr David R Turnbull (Relieving)
• 1969: Mr D G Thompson (Relieving, 4 months)
• 1970 – 1975: Mr Thomas Storen Irvine
• 1975: Mr Garth B Green (Relieving)
• 1976 – 1987: Mr Kevin Barry Whitehead
• 1988 – 1994: Mr Maxon J Ross
• 1995 – 2005: Dr Grahame W Wagner
• 2005: Mr Ken Griffiths (Relieving, 6 months)
• 2005 – 2007: Mr Glenn Isemonger (Relieving)
• 2008 – 2011: Mr Col Harris
• 2011: Mr Jeff Jacobs (Relieving, 7 months)
• 2012 – 2015: Mr Keiran Spillane
• 2016 – 2017: Ms Angela Byron (Relieving)
• 2017 – 2018: Mr Stephen Heslop
• 2018 – present: Ms Angela Byron

Today

Oak Flats High School continues to serve the Oak Flats community, educating the children and grandchildren of some of our earliest students, with many families choosing to stay in the area. Our enrolments are typically around 650 students, and we remain committed to providing a high-quality education where every student feels known, valued, and cared for.

Oak Flats High School Alumni

Oak Flats High School alumni continue to achieve success in many fields, often at the highest levels. Sharing their stories with current students gives unique insights into the possibilities that lie ahead and inspires them to explore new pathways and career opportunities. Alumni serve as relatable role models, showing what is possible when you dream big and work hard.

We love welcoming alumni back to speak with students about their career journeys and provide practical advice for life after school. Their experiences demonstrate that public school graduates can achieve excellence in any field.

Some of our Notable Oak Flats High School Alumni

• Associate Professor Georgine Clarsen (1967) – Historian, University of Wollongong, Senior Lecturer, School of History and Politics, Faculty of Arts; author

• Dr Glenn Mitchell (1968) – Historian, University of Wollongong, Senior Lecturer, Sub Dean of Faculty of Arts (1998–2001); author

• Dianne Gorman OAM (née Dowd, 1966–67) – Australian hockey champion, team vice-captain 1977, captain 1979

• Eino Okkonen (1970) – Founder of Illawarra Wheelchair Basketball, instrumental in establishing the Roller Hawks National League team (2001)

• Andrew Maconachie (1972) – Author

• Eric Klein (1969–72) – Campion archer, four-time Paralympian (1980–1992), world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist (1974)

• Lee Hollis (1984) – World champion skater (1981)

• John Klepczarek (1986) – Police Commander, Monaro District

• Karen Lord (1987) – State and national swimming champion, 1988 Olympic Games, 1990 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist

• Stuart Allan Thompson (1987) – Australian representative baseball player, 1996 Olympic Games

• Natalie Bassingthwaighte (1988–1991) – Singer and performer

• Professor Justin Yerbury AM (1991) – Scientist, Eureka Prize winner 2022

• Shane Lee (1991) – Australian cricketer, national team 1995–2001, Cricket World Cup champion 1999; NSW Cricket Team Captain 2000

• Brett Lee (1994) – Australian international cricketer and fast bowler, national team 1999–2012, Cricket World Cup champion 2003

• Brett Andrew Stibners OAM (1997) – Australian wheelchair basketball champion, four-time Paralympian, World Championship Gold Medallist 2008

• Katy Jarochowicz (1999) – Professional golfer

• Joel Pratley (2007) – National prize-winning professional photographer

• Jessica Rosskelly (2013) – Australian Olympic Hopes Team, kayaking

• Maddison Lacey (2016) – Australian acrobatic gymnast 2022

• Caitlin O’Neil (2017) – Australian acrobatic gymnast 2022

• Tegan Berry (2020) – Rugby League NRLW, St George Illawarra 2022

Reunions and Keeping in Touch with Your Year Group

While the school doesn’t maintain year-based alumni lists or organise reunions, we encourage alumni to stay connected through independent online groups, such as class-specific Facebook pages run by former students.

If you’re organising a reunion and would like your event promoted, feel free to send through any posts you’d like us to share via our social media channels or school newsletter.

Have a story to share?

If you are an Oak Flats High School alumnus or alumna with an inspirational story, please contact the school office — we would love to hear from you!

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