Edward John Eyre High School

Located in Grundel Street Whyalla, South Australia, Edward John Eyre High School opened in 1968 as Eyre Technical High School.

Built during the boom period, student enrolment reached around 1500 in the 1970s. Today, Edward John Eyre High School, also known as Senior Secondary Campus of the Whyalla Secondary College, has a student population of over 400.

Eyre High School caters to a wide cross-section of the community. Its Young Mum's program supports young mothers to complete their education. The Pre-Industry Program and Trade School assists students in preparation in the trade areas. The specialist volleyball course lead to wins in state and national competitions.

With Whyalla entering a new boom period, it is likely that the population of EJEHS will again climb in future years.

2008 saw Edward John Eyre High celebrating its 40th birthday. During those 40 years, the school has had two other names, Eyre Technical High School and Eyre High School. For many people, the school will always be Eyre High School.

The main buildings of the school were designed by Jim Loveday. They are correctly positioned so as to make the best use of the sun and to reduce the amount of heat gain. This has been positive for those who have used the buildings.

The initial enrolment of 5 classes of Year 8 students were housed at Whyalla High and Memorial Oval Primary School. In 1968 these students moved into the new buildings of Eyre Technical High School on Grundel Street and along with the new Year 8s, brought the enrolment to 711.

The late sixties and early seventies were a period of rapid population growth in Whyalla. By the end of the school’s first year, the school population had out-grown the existing main building. To accommodate the increasing enrolment, a new South wing with 8 classrooms and 3 Art rooms was added. These additions were not enough to keep up with population growth. By 1972, the western quadrangle hosted a portable science laboratory and many "temporary" classrooms, some of which are still at the school. The school reached its highest enrolment of 1280 students in this period.

In 1971 the school had its first name change and became Eyre High School. The name change was in-line with government policy to remove the distinction between trades orientated Technical High Schools and academically orientated High Schools.

In the early 1980s, the effect of the closure of the shipyard was felt with decreasing population in the city leading to decreasing enrolments. Margaret Grant made the most of this situation, by relocating the Library from upstairs in the main building to 6 classrooms, later 7 rooms in the South Wing. This created the space for a well laid out library to serve students and staff.

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