Staff and students left The Forest High School’s 1961 site for the last time last Friday, as the school prepares to move into a brand-new site at the beginning of the 2026 school year.

For all concerned, the old school carries fond memories, from making new friends to sporting and artistic events.

School captain Isobel Pacholski said being at the school since Year 7 had created many memories.

“While we've all been looking forward to the new site since we got here, I think, as we've grown with the school, we've grown fond of it as well,” she said.

 School vice-captain James Dry said his best memories involved playing team sports for the school but is looking forward to the new facilities at the Allambie Road site.

“The new facilities look amazing, like all the sports facilities and new classrooms,” he said.

“There’ll be so many opportunities for future students, and it's definitely a very supportive environment, so I’m looking forward to that.” 

Isobel Pacholski notes the Festival of Lights and school musicals have created very fond memories for her, and she looks forward to the new facilities.

“The new state-of-the-art facilities and performance spaces definitely cater towards performers and people who want to perform for larger groups of people,” she said.

“I think it will help us in preparing for performances, especially the dance studios. I know the dancers are really looking forward to that. 

“Any time where we've been able to represent the school on stage and share my love for music with the greater community is just amazing.”

Principal Nathan Lawler said he also had fond memories of performance alongside students learning in classrooms, as well as the sounds that follow different spaces around the school.

“My fondest memories are the everyday routines that you build,” he said. “For me it’s walking the playground in the morning and hearing the band rehearsing in the hall, then looping past our sports academy and hearing the instructions from the coaches.

“Along with hearing the music playing because the music classrooms were directly above my office. You'd be sitting in a meeting and then, all of a sudden, you've got music elective students playing upstairs.” 

However, Mr Lawler believes the new school will offer more opportunities for students, whether that’s in the classroom, state-of-the-art gym and playing surfaces, performance spaces or vocational education facilities.

“We have high expectations of our students, and we'll have the facilities to match the effort they're putting in and what we're expecting from them,” he said.

“For example, I see how much work goes into rehearsing a performance before and after school, now they'll actually have a theatre to match the quality of performance.”

Features of the new school include a new library, canteen and administration spaces, a multi-purpose sports and performance hall, new outdoor sports courts, landscaped recreation and outdoor learning spaces, and over 180 parking spaces for bicycles and scooters. A continuous accessible circulation path will link classrooms with the landscape around the internal edges of the campus buildings. 

The project is part of an expansive plan to establish a new dynamic town centre for the Frenchs Forest community. 

The new school location remains within the current intake area for The Forest High School. It is a local school of choice where its supportive and inspiring environment helps every student thrive.

Mr Lawler said The Forest High School had a strong sense of community and values and a commitment to realising the potential of our students.

“Every student is inspired to reach their full potential and confidently shape their future,” he said.

“Through high expectations, continuous growth, and strong community engagement, we equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive and unlock opportunities for success and wellbeing throughout their lives.”