From early in its history, Bendigo High School had a song book from which selections were drawn to be sung at school events. In the early days one of these songs, The Best School of All, was used as a school song. Most schools had such a song, which was used to remind students of the traditions of their school.
During the 1950s the school acquired its own song to sing. The
anthem was written by a staff member, Ms Zoe Hazlett, and music
teacher, Ms Gwen Bowles composed the music (words below). It is a
traditional school song, with words and music akin to a national
anthem or hymn. The chorus consists of the school motto, "Qui
patitur vincit" and its translation, "He conquers who endures".
This song was sung at school assemblies until changing fashions of
the 1970s saw such singing disappear.
During the 1960s, a third song was written by a group of students.
The Bendigo High School Rock was loosely based on the school song
but written in the rock genre popular at the time. To the modern
ear, the song doesn't sound at all outrageous, but to many of the
staff at the time it was nothing short of sacrilege! It was only
due to the support of the Headmaster that the boys were not
expelled for their work.
School Song (The Anthem)
Verse One
Fling wide the gates before us,
For all the world's our own.
Sing on in mighty chorus,
To glories yet unknown.
The school upon the hill top,
The linden tree in spring,
Our hearts will still remember,
While Bendigo we sing.
Chorus
'Qui patitur vincit'
The challenge assures,
'He conquers, he conquers,
Whoever endures.'
Verse Two
Like stars from ages shaken,
The golden memories fall,
The passing years awaken,
The noblest dreams of all,
The lion guards forever,
The school upon the hill,
Wherever we may wander,
Her voice is with us still.
Chorus
'Qui patitur vincit'
The challenge assures,
'He conquers, he conquers,
Whoever endures.'
Listen/Download (Traditional Arrangement)
Listen/Download (Rock Version)
Best School of All
Verse One
It's good to see the school we knew,
The land of youth and dream,
To greet again the rule we knew,
Before we took the stream,
Though long we've missed the sight of her,
Our hearts may not forget,
We've lost the old delight of her,
We'll keep her honour yet.
Chorus
We'll honour yet the School we knew,
The best School of all;
We'll honour yet the rule we knew,
Till the last bell call,
For working days or holidays,
The glad or melancholy days,
They were great days and jolly days,
At the best School of all.