The Beginnings

“The school acknowledges and celebrates its heritage in Public Education through its links with the former North Sydney Technical High School (and their predecessor schools), from which came Killara High School’s founding Principal, Mr T.E. Hornibrook and the first collection of the Lion Library.”

[Excerpt from Killara High School Information Booklet 2003]

Our motto symbolises presentation of the best of the past, and continued development into the future.

THE MISSION STATEMENT:

Killara High School’s mission statement indicates that “Killara educates for life…”

KILLARA HIGH SCHOOL’S BADGE:

The school badge consists of a green shield (escutcheon) with a gold border, with a gold three-towered castle.

Below the castles is a gold key. The word “Killara” in gothic lettering, and containing a gold scroll, appears as a crest above the shield.

The motto is in a gold scroll below the shield. The complete badge is mounted on a green background.

The colours were selected to represent closely as possible, those contained in the Gordon tartan. Gold being dominant as an indication of the value place on the school name, its charges and motto.

The symbols that were selected have the following implied meanings:

THE CREST:

“Killara”, an Aboriginal word, meaning “permanent place”, and which symbolises solidarity.

THE THREE TOWERED CASTLE:

The 1974 version of the school crest.

As a whole, they signify:

A permanent place (Killara).

Shelter and reassurance.

A means of maintaining that which is worthy of preservation.

A storehouse of knowledge.

THE BATTLEMENTS:

Six indented parapets, each one representing the years of study i.e. years 7-12.

THE WINDOWS:

Childhood, youth and maturity.

THE THREE TOWERS:

In their dominant positions, they symbolise the aspirations of mankind.

Individually, the towers become symbols of parents, students and teachers, with students representing the largest tower and therefore being of key importance.

THE DOORS:

Unless opened by a ‘key’, the access to the hidden mysteries of nature and science is closed.

THE KEY:

A symbol of progression which opens the doors of learning.

It is also an emblem of growth and development to adult hood, and is the symbol for the acceptance of responsibility.

^{Escutcheon, an alternative to the word ‘shield’ is also used to describe a pivoted keyhole cover.
Escutcheon plates are used as surrounds for keyholes to provide protection against unskilful use of a key.}

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1970, the KHS School Council, of which pupil ‘councillors’ were elected by other students, ran their own meetings. The meetings were held fortnightly, and, according to The Killara News of May 1970, in the following weeks it was hoped that the school badge and motto would be decided. 

The second meeting which was held on the 4th April, 1970, where the school badge was discussed.It was unanimously decided that the badge was to be distinctive for KHS, and was not to have words written in Latin. The badge and motto was to be chosen from the ideas and drawings that students submitted to the office. Parents were also invited to give their own ideas in the same way.

Compiled by 

Francie Campbell, Teacher-Librarian,
Killara High School.

[Sources: Killara High School newsletters, yearbooks, minuted meetings, and from ex-students who have kindly provided permissions to publish. Copyright remains with the authors and illustrators.]