Cumberland High School (Carlingford)

Cumberland High School opened in January 1962 with an initial intake of 270 students in First Form (now known as Year 7). This student cohort commenced high school under the Wyndham Scheme, which extended New South Wales high school from five to six years and placed a greater emphasis on science and mathematics.

The foundation headmaster was George Heery (1962–1965), who was responsible for the selection of the original school colours (brown, green and white), the school motto "Finis Coronat Opus", ("the end crowns the work") and the Cumberland school song.

In addition to students from Carlingford, early students were drawn from as far afield as Pennant Hills, West Pennant Hills, and Beecroft to the north; from Epping, Ermington and Rydalmere to the east; from Dundas, Dundas Valley and Telopea to the south; and North Parramatta to the south-west. Subsequently, the student catchment area contracted with the establishment of nearby high schools, particularly Castle Hill High School (1963), Pennant Hills High School (1966), Carlingford High School (1968), and Muirfield High School (1976).

In 2008, four Cumberland students took part in the Beijing Olympics, as members of the Olympic Games Orchestra.

Cumberland High is located at 183 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford, New South Wales.

The site was originally part of portions 100, 101 in the Parish of Field of Mars, County of Cumberland. Portion 101 was granted to William Evans by Lieutenant Governor Francis Grose on 11 April 1794. The grant is described in the Grant Register as "laying and situated at The Ponds adjoining Carver's Farm". Portion 100 was granted to William Butts on 19 November 1794, and described in the Grant Register as "laying and situated in the district of The Ponds".

The site is separated with blocks lettered with a certain letter. A Block: (Used for Food Technology and Art on lower floor;Second Floor used for History, Computing and Drama) B Block: (Used for Toilets, Gym and Canteen) C Block: (Used for Computing, Metalwork and Woodwork ) D Block: (Used for the office ; Second Floor used for Music, Language, Geography, Business Studies, Legal Studies and Society and Culture .) E Block: (Used for English, PDHPE and Science on first floor; Maths and a dedicated Learning Centre on the second floor.) F Block: (Used for the hall ) and G Block: (Used for Science Labs downstairs and Library.

The current principal for Cumberland is Mechel Pikoulas.

The school has a traditional format and organization. Its administration places emphasis on discipline and requires students to wear a school uniform. The school is populated with 35% of students coming from outside the school's designated local area. Students come from families that are very diverse, socially and economically. In recent years, there has been an increase in enrolment by non-English speaking students (56% in 2005) with 35% of all students receiving English as a second language (ESL) program support. In 2005, 37 international students were enrolled, out of a total of 769.

Cumberland students are encouraged to develop leadership skills in various ways. Student leadership roles include the Prefect System, peer support program, and student representative council. The school also provides a comprehensive welfare program focusing on peer support/mentoring and conflict resolution, anti-bullying and anti-racism, which relies heavily on student involvement in running workshops for the rest of the student body.

Music ensembles include Concert Band, Stage Band, String Ensemble, Drumline, Rock Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble while private music tutors provide individual music tuition for Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Trombone, Trumpet, Classical and Rock Guitar, Composition and Bass Guitar.

The annual art exhibition and performance evening, MAD, includes all students from Years 7 - 8 (for whom music, art, and drama form a compulsory part of the curriculum), as well as the elective music, art and drama classes from Years 9 - 12. The finale for each show comprises all participating students in a performance of a classical massed choral and orchestral work.

Students from The Faculty of Arts have travelled to Beijing as part of the Olympic Games Orchestra, performed in the backing choir for Australian Idol finals at the Sydney Opera House.

Cumberland was one of eight schools that comprised Cumberland Zone as part of the New South Wales Combined High Schools Athletic Association.

Cumberland partakes in the yearly carnivals of Athletics, Swimming and Cross-Country, where students have the opportunity to compete and represent their houses: Cumbora - Red, Derringbong - Green, Brigalow - Yellow and Algona - Blue. Students who place in these events go on to represent the school at further levels.

In the first semester of the year, Cumberland High School and rural Wauchope High School compete in an inter-school sporting competition. This event consists of a team of 100 students from one School travelling to the other for 3 days, where the students compete in Rugby, Soccer, Netball, Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, and Athletics.

Cumberland Team Kit

Another Annual Tradition is the sporting Gala Day between Cumberland High School and their neighbours, James Ruse Agricultural High School. The Gala day is held in the final term, and teams consist of the schools' year seven students. The students participate in various sports throughout the day.

Cumberland celebrates a range of social events including:

• Discos
• Maths Contest
• Annual Talent Quest
• Harmony Day Celebration
• Multicultural Day (Including Multicultural Soccer Competition)
• High Achievers Assembly
• MAD (Music Art Drama) Night - MAD08 was a successful celebration of the arts with over 150 students participating in either singing, dancing, creating artworks or drama performances, and began the annual tradition
• Bandana Day
• Science Week and Roadshow
• Writers' Festival
• Open Night
• Gala Day
• Wauchope/Cumberland Inter-school Sports Visit (a tradition lasting in excess of 30 years)
• Band Tour (includes tours to country NSW)

• Sándor Rozsnyói, (Alex Rozsnyoi) World record holder, 3000 metre steeplechase (athletics). Silver medal, 3000 metre steeplechase, 1956 Summer Olympics. Gold medal, 3000 metre steeplechase, 1954 European Championships.
• Michael Naray, attended the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, participating in archery. He played for Australia.

• Ray Price, Parramatta, NSW and Australian representative in Rugby Union and Rugby League.
• Alex Hawke MP, Liberal politician. Member of the House of Representatives for Mitchell (2007–present)
• Jenifer Gae Klugman, B.Ec., LL.B., (Sydney), 1988 NSW Rhodes Scholar. First New South Wales female Rhodes Scholar.[2]
• Peter Gilmore (chef), award winning Chef at Quay Sydney, rated in the world's Top 50 Restaurants

• Official website