History of Pioneer State High School
Pioneer State High School opened in 1986, with its first principal, Ms Gail Mackay, and over three hundred students in Years 8, 9 and 11. Its first Senior cohort graduated in 1987. It very quickly adopted innovative practices such as a cyclical timetable, longer lessons and not having bells, and a firmly established inclusive philosophy.
In 1987 Pioneer’s most famous ex-student, Cathy Freeman, won the Sportswoman of the Year Award, and has since gone on to be a world champion athlete, Australian of the Year and Olympic gold medallist. In those early years, the school embarked on creating the environmental lake near Celeber Drive, and planted the tropical gardens that characterise the school.
The current principal, Mr Paul Staples, arrived in 1992, and has led this dynamic school community ever since. Fine traditions of excellence, student-centredness, and celebrating success have flourished through the dedication of staff and the participation of students. In 2001 a Centre of Excellence in Maths, Science and Technology was established at Pioneer. In 2003, a new junior vertical timetable was introduced to allow students to choose from a wide range of semester offerings within and between subjects.
