The school began in 1974 as eight demountable classrooms on the grounds of Cannington Senior High School. In January 1975, the school, comprising years 8 and 9, moved to the newly constructed campus at Parkwood. Bill Goulding was the first principal, who, with deputy principals Meredith Crossing and Peter Clark, instituted "Sincerity" as the school motto and the swan as the emblem for the school crest. Mauve was the colour of the first school uniform, later regarded humorously by school commentators as garish 1970s fashion. In the beginning, many of the students were from families who emigrated from the United Kingdom. Student numbers were low. Students and teachers bonded into a close knit community. Hotly contested hockey and cricket matches were held often between students and teachers. In September 1988 during the Australian Bicentenary, a time capsule was constructed by Design and Technology teacher Frank Murphy and his Vocational Education students. Records of student work, music, and photographs were stored in the capsule. The time capsule was buried in front of the canteen and it will be opened in September 2038. During the 1990s, Lynwood became multicultural with students from families who emigrated from Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Lynwood offers specialist education in sustainability. Currently, Environment and Life Sciences education at the school is the only recognised sustainability curriculum course approved in Western Australia. Statewide, students may apply for, and attend, the specialist course from years 7 to 10. The course is enriched by strong partnerships with a range of universities, government and community organisations, and it is pioneering high school sustainability education in Western Australia. The school offers a specialised football program as part of the Lynwood Specialised Soccer Academy. In 2004, the program was endorsed as part of the Gifted and Talented Education by the WA Department of Education. The Academy is designed to provide a unique opportunity for talented football players, to develop their individual skills and knowledge of the game at the highest level, in a setting that promotes leadership and civic responsibilities. During the 5 year program, opportunities arise for students to excel in areas of playing at an elite level, coaching, refereeing and organising events. The program also streams into upper school WACE units and VET courses specific to football for university or TAFE placements. As well, the school hosts an Intensive English Centre for newly arrived migrant students, between the ages of 12–16 years from various cultural backgrounds, to learn English as an additional language.
Academic ranking
Year
Rank
Median ATAR
Eligible students
Students with ATAR
% students with ATAR
2018
61
80.55
229
29
12.66
2017
28
85.70
225
41
18.22
2016
83
75.60
255
52
20.39
Year
Rank
% +75 in WACE
Rank
% +65 in WACE
% graduates
2015
>50
<10.77
>50
<31.24
96.47
2014
>50
<10.03
>50
<32.41
100
2013
>50
<10.00
>50
<31.39
99.49
2012
>50
<9.88
>50
<33.55
99.40
2011
>50
<11.88
>50
<40.00
100
2010
>50
<10.69
>50
<43.40
100
2009
>50
<27.91
>50
<31.25
97.67
In 1986, Sherwant Singh Gill won the Beazley Medal for the top ranked academic student in Western Australia.
