Excerpts from the Laurels

On March 28^th 1969 , the Minister for Education, Lindsay Thompson officially opened the school. This also marked the completion of “ first stage” buildings, gardens, site works, tennis courts and ovals. The year commenced with 493 pupils and 36 staff ( many part-time). Our first 5^th Forms participated in the Leaving Certificate examinations this year.

The school won a $100 Civic prize, conducted Open Day during Education Week and held its fifth annual Prize giving night. The Monash High Choir performed at an inter-school concert conducted at Oakleigh High School.

Students were failing to accept trust and self discipline; vandalism and disobedience shocked the happy atmosphere. Maybe it was the rapid increase of the school population and inadequate staffing that triggered the emergence of frustrations and disillusionment. This was also the time of The Beatles, global groups purporting world peace, anti-disestablishment and disillusionment over the Vietnam war and conscription.