SCHOOL HISTORY AND SETTING

The school and its community acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land. Among these was the freedom fighter Pemulwuy who fought against the British colonial occupation. Pemulwuy spoke a dialect of the Dharag language, and was of the Bediagal (Bidjigal) clan. The suburb of Pemulwuy in western Sydney was named to honour his memory.

Early settlers in the area played a major role in quashing the convict Castle Hill Rebellion, including the Battle of Vinegar Hill.

	Pendle Hill High School opened in 1965 on land that had been used for farming. This photograph, circa 1963 shows the first excavations for the school's buildings. This land had previously been a local farmer's paddock.
	Local history authorities indicate that the original school enrollment comprised mainly the children of the local farming community of the time, when the school was officially opened in 1965. This photograph, circa mid-1964, shows the construction of what is now B-Block.
	The Fourth Form, Toongabbie Public School, 1963. These were the first students to enrol at (the then new) Pendle Hill High School. More pictures like this at Neil's Website.
	The school now serves the educational needs of a socially and ethnically diverse community. Modern Pendle Hill is a medium density suburb in almost the geographic centre of the Sydney metropolitan area. You can read more about the suburb's profile here.

Many thanks to Parramatta City Council's Heritage Centre for providing the first two archival photographs above.