In February 1957, “The Proposed Sunnybank High School Establishment Committee” was formed as there was widespread support for an additional high school in the area. A letter was sent to the Minister for Public Instruction, detailing the suitability of approximately fifteen acres on an area known as the Recreation Reserve. The land had many suitable features – a nice elevation, good soil, bore water, 3-phase power, and there were many services available to the community including swimming pools, a bowling club, kindergarten and rail and bus transport.
Sunnybank State High School was opened for the admission of students on 27 January 1963. Mr Alex Seaton was the foundation Principal, there were eleven staff and 127 students, and one teaching block consisting of seven classrooms. In 1965, it was the smallest high school in Brisbane, but continued to grow and the students excelled in sport and presented many musical productions to the public. Many students groups were formed and fundraising by the P&C equipped the school with many necessary facilities. By the end of the 1960s, there were three more teaching blocks and Sunnybank High School was one of the fastest-growing high schools in the state.
The 1970s was a decade of continuous growth with the construction of a Media Centre as well as five more teaching blocks. Fundraising continued with variety concerts, personality quests, dinner dances, film evenings and school fetes. The school cadets were formed and school musicals were an annual event. The student population numbered approximately 1300.
The early 1980s saw the school assembly hall completed, and well as new basketball, tennis and netball courts. Work experience, community service and religious instruction began as well as science competitions and annual ski trips. The student population rose to 1700. There was continued success in athletics and sports and a Centre for Athletic Development was introduced in 1989.
In the 1990s, Sunnybank became one of the strongest track and field schools in Queensland. An Intensive English Language Unit commenced and the students entered many school competitions, including maths, geography, debating, economics, computer studies and fishing. The first of many student and teacher trips to China commenced.
Currently, our school is a thriving, dynamic learning community comprised of students from over sixty countries. We have a prestigious International Student Program and have 700 students across Years 7-12.