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History of the CollegeHome \ About BSSC \ History of the CollegeWhat is now Bendigo Senior Secondary College came into being on Monday April 27 1907 as Bendigo Continuation School. Its purpose then was to prepare students for entry into the public service, the teaching profession, university or senior technical school - this is still the case although its range is now much broader. There were between 40 and 50 students. The foundation stone for Bendigo High School was laid in August 1912 and the buildings of the Quadrangle Block were finished in 1914. These incorporated the two original rooms (rooms G15 and G16) which had housed the Sandhurst Corporate High School (and later St Andrew's College) since January 1870. The James King Hall and Administration Block were added in 1930. The music / drama complex (the former Bendigo Supreme Court) was taken over from the Bendigo Girls' High School in 1959, the Alexander Wing was completed in 1967 and the Commonwealth Library in 1977. Bendigo High School's last year with full secondary courses from Years 7 to 12 was in 1975. In 1976 it became Victoria's first Senior High School. A phasing-in period removed the lower forms year by year till 1979, when the present situation of only Years 11 and 12 operated for the first time. The College now caters for students at these levels from the whole of the Bendigo urban area and surrounding country districts. In 1990 the school became known as Bendigo Senior Secondary College. In 1991 Stage 1 of a building program commenced. The three storey building for Science / Technology Studies / The Arts came into use in January 1993. A gymnasium, cafeteria and student common room were also included. This was followed by Stage 2, the upgrade of all existing buildings, which commenced in 1995. The Multimedia Centre and Staff Centre became operational in 1996. 1997 marked the 90th anniversary of the college and saw the launch of "Old Gold Bendigo Inc.", the ex-students association.
OLD GOLD BENDIGO INC The college's badge shows a gold crowned lion over a blue scroll on which appears the Latin motto: 'QUI PATITUR VINCIT' - Whoever perseveres conquers. The college's magazine Old Gold came into being in 1912 and is one of the longest running school magazines in the State. The "Waverley Essay Prize" has the distinction of being the longest running award in any school in Victoria. It has been presented each year since 1871 at the Awards Ceremony of Bendigo Senior Secondary College (or its predecessors). It is provided as the result of a performance of "Rob Roy", a drama founded on the famous story written by Sir Walter Scott. The performance took place on September 1st, 1871, at the Lyceum Theatre (now the office of the Bendigo Advertiser). It is presented to the writer of the most creative essay. The collection of all existing Waverley Essays has been produced and is available from the college.
Copies of the Waverley Essay Collection are available by contacting:
For further reading on the people and events which have shaped the history of Bendigo High School and Bendigo Senior Secondary College, refer to
Copies of this book are available by contacting:
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