Southport State High School

History

The Southport State School was originally built in 1879 in Scarborough Street on what is now the site for Southport Central Towers. From 1916, the primary school included a section, as a temporary measure until more suitable premises were decided upon, for students undertaking secondary education. It was this component of the school which was moved to a Smith Street location in March 1955 resulting in the creation of a custom built high school which served the entirety of the Gold Coast region.

On 4 October 2019, the school's Block B was destroyed by a suspicious fire.

Facilities

25 metre, eight lane outdoor pool with professional instructing and swim club

Specialist science labs

Lecture theatre

Specialised Junior Secondary block (Synergy Building)

Professional tennis courts with in-house tennis professional and access available for private coaching

Industrial kitchen

Performing arts theatre

Dance studio

Music block

Apple Mac edit suite

Multi-purpose Sports Centre

Tuck shop

Excellence programs

Southport State High School offers excellence programs that extend high-achieving students through a range of specialist areas. These learning areas include academia, sport, music, performing arts and visual arts.

Academic Excellence

Students enrolled in the Academic Excellence Program (ACE) participate in Learning Enrichment Days and extension activities including STEM Club, Chess Club, Interact Club, Public Speaking and Debating to develop teamwork and communication skills.

Creative Arts Excellence

Students in Creative Arts Excellence regularly receive performance opportunities outside of the classroom through representation at Dramafest, Gold Coast Eisteddfod, Starbound Eisteddfod and participation at festivals and events, specialist workshops with industry professionals, excursions, school productions and musical showcases. Programs offered in Creative Arts Excellence include:

Drama

Music (instrument and voice)

Visual art

Musical theatre

Dance

Sport Excellence

The Sport Excellence Programs are based on the 'Long Term Athlete Development' model created by Istvan Balyi. The model emphasises age-appropriate skills acquisition to maximise athletic potential. The six programs offered by Sport Excellence are:

General sport

AFL

Basketball

Netball

Football

Touch football

AFL Queensland Schools Cup

Third Place: 2018

Apple Distinguished School

Southport State High School is an accredited Apple Distinguished School. The program promotes the use of Apple products by students and teachers in and out of the classroom.

Violence

In 2009, a student at the school was charged with assault. In the same year, 303 students were suspended from the school. In 2014, a 14-year-old student was stabbed by his classmate.

Notable alumni

Lex Bell, politician and former Gold Coast mayor

Annise Bradfield, Australian rules footballer with the Greater Western Sydney Giants

Ricki-Lee Coulter, singer and television personality

Russ Crane, former Chief of the Royal Australian Navy

Adam Darragh, professional basketball player with the Brisbane Bullets

Darcie Davies, Australian rules footballer with the Gold Coast Suns

Stefan Dennis, actor on Australian soap opera Neighbours

Olivia Gadecki, tennis player

Michael Groom, mountaineer who famously climbed Mount Everest

Fred Hilmer, academic and businessman

Doug Jones, international arbitrator

Peter Lawlor, politician

Jodhi Meares, fashion designer and model

Clive Palmer, politician and mining magnate

Bob Quinn, politician

Larry Sengstock, basketballer and former CEO of Basketball Australia

Amy Shark, singer

Miles Stewart, Olympic triathlete and current CEO of Triathlon Australia

Notable staff

Katrin Garfoot, former Commonwealth Games cyclist

Steven McLuckie, former Australian rules footballer

Jamie Stanton, Australian rules footballer with the Gold Coast Suns