Cherrybrook Technology High School


Cherrybrook Technology High School is a purpose built Technology High School located at 28 - 44 Purchase Road, Cherrybrook NSW, Australia. The school was built in the late 1980s to support the rapid growth of the north-west sector in Sydney. With the school's completion and opening in 1992 the sheer size and capabilities of the school have grown beyond expectations. In 2002 a new two storey building with administration facilities on the ground floor and 12 classrooms on the top level was opened, bringing the permanent housing of the school up to 1250 students. 2009 saw the student population rise to over 2,000 for the first time.

History and development

School development

The school's development and planning began in the late 1980s. The Department of Education and Community at the time had decided to build the school on a block of land adjacent to John Purchase Public School; the land was previously occupied with orchards containing remnants of old growth forest. At the time the government was creating a chain of technology schools throughout NSW. The school was initiated into this chain after talks between the Minister of Education at the time, Terry Metherell, and the then CEO of IBM, Brian Finn.
The school hired its first principal and deputies in 1990 with Lyn Wendtman as Principal and Peter Gillam and Dave Wilson as Deputy Principals. These three key figures took their duties up in February 1991 and were responsible for complex negotiations between businesses, public works, designers and builders. They also developed a local P&C, school council, school organisation, staffing and enrolment models and draft policies.
The first students accepted into Cherrybrook Technology High School were accommodated and taught at Pennant Hills High School in 1991. They relocated to their new school in 1992. In 2008, Cherrybrook Technology High School achieved a peak enrolment of 1993 students, making it the largest public comprehensive secondary school in NSW and one of the largest schools in Australia.
Staff in 1992 was gained from both transfers and selections based on merit. Additional staff in the following years were all appointed by merit, with several highly talented young teachers proving themselves to the parents and students of the schooling community. Cherrybrook Technology High School was officially opened on 15 May 1992 by the Hon Nick Greiner.

Sports houses

Cherrybrook Technology High School has four main sports houses: Charles, Taylor, Harrison and Strickland. These houses have been named according to the Abbreviated Acronym of the school. However, their names also have an underlying meaning.
These names and meanings were accepted in 1992 after being proposed by David Krust.

Theatre

Each year at Cherrybrook Technology High School, a play or musical is produced.
1994 - "WarGames"
1995 - "Romeo and Juliet"
2001 - "The Wiz"
2002 - "Away"
2003 - "Bye Bye Birdie"
2004 - "Stories From Suburban Road"
2005 - "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"
2006 - "Everyman"
2007 - "Return to the Forbidden Planet"
2008 - "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
2009 - "HMS Pinafore"
2010 - "The Musicians"
2011 - "Fame"
2012 - "Madd"
2013 - "Little Shop Of Horrors"
2014 - "The Wiz"
2015 - "Servant of Two Masters"
2016 - "Grease"
2017 - "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
2019 - "Annie"
Cherrybrook Technology High School has an active Student Representative Council which is responsible for co-ordinating events which benefit the student body and the school as a whole. The events put on by the SRC are used largely to raise funds for charities within Australia and abroad. Events in the past have included 'Wacky Hair Day', 'Superheroes and Villains Day', 'Valentine's Day' and 'Super Mega Happy Week'. The SRC aims to hold events which are not only enjoyable for students - but also encourage school spirit.
In 2008 the SRC also attempted to break the world record for the most number of people simultaneously dancing "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" with approximately 700 participants. The student executive responsible for the organisation of the event were interviewed two days after this event on the popular breakfast program Sunrise.

Senior Executive Staff

When the school opened in 1992 Lyn Wendtman was Principal, while Dave Wilson and Peter Gillam were appointed as her Deputy Principals. In 2016 the Senior Executive team comprises Gary Johnson, Brett Clements, Jenny Bevan and Matt Townsend. The following table shows when each started and finished at the school. Following this year it is expected that a new system will be implemented, where students will be permitted to vote for any teachers in the school to become the new Senior Executive team.
YearsPrincipalDeputy Principals
1991–2002Lyn WendtmanDave Wilson, Peter Gillam
2003Gary JohnsonMark Watson, Jeff Bruce, Dave Wilson
2004–2008Gary JohnsonMark Watson, Jeff Bruce, Richard Di Marzo
2008–2009Gary JohnsonMark Watson, Richard Di Marzo, Jenny Weal
2010–2011Gary JohnsonRichard Di Marzo, Jenny Weal, Russell Summerhayes
2012–2014Gary JohnsonJenny Weal, Russell Summerhayes, Jenny Bevan
2014Gary JohnsonJenny Weal, Jenny Bevan, Matt Townsend
2015-2017Gary JohnsonBrett Clements, Jenny Bevan, Matt Townsend
2018Matt Townsend Brett Clements, Alison Gatt, Matt Fisher acting
PresentGary JohnsonMatt Townsend, Brett Clements, Alison Gatt, Matt Fisher acting

Notable alumni