Principal’s Introduction.
The Forest High School motto: “Spectemur Agendo” (Judge us by our actions) encompasses our values. The Forest is a high performing school with a tradition of excellence across a number of areas. We are a comprehensive, co-educational school offering students strong academic, sporting, creative and performing arts and vocational education programs. Our diverse curriculum and extracurricular programs cater for students with a full range of abilities and interests.
The dedicated, experienced teaching staff fosters a culture of excellence that encourages all students to achieve their personal best. We respect students as individuals who have rights, but also responsibilities. The school promotes the values of integrity, excellence, respect and responsibility across the school and within the community. A strong, responsive student welfare program is in place and we have clear discipline policies and a defined uniform code that ensure a safe, orderly learning environment.
The school has an excellent track record in the Higher School Certificate Examination. Additionally our value added data shows that students benefit enormously from the academically rigorous program at The Forest. A significant proportion of our students achieved a UAI over 90%, with top UAIs of 98.1, 99.1 and 99.6 being achieved in the last three years.
The Forest High School is located in the leafy suburb of Frenchs Forest and has excellent facilities and extensive, beautiful grounds with many large trees. The grounds were originally part of a large holding acquired by James Harris French, who was appointed in 1851 as a Ranger of Crown Lands, to control timber cutting in the area. The headstone from the grave of Mr. Harris, who died in 1893 is preserved at the school and a pear tree, a remnant of the orchard that originally occupied the school site, was grafted and propagated to provide enough trees for a grove to preserve the history of the area.
Although the school was established in 1961 our educational practices are firmly embedded in the 21st Century. The school has five dedicated computer laboratories, two specialist computer hubs and a large bank of computers in the library. This infrastructure has enhanced our ability to collaborate with Forest Learning Community schools. Our first shared project, utilising “Connected Classroom” technology will be completed in 2009.
Rosemary McDowall 
Principal