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Early in 1955, the Department of Education began planning a high school. The plan was for it to be completed for the beginning of the 1956 school year. Only the public works toilet appeared on the land on the opening day. The Department rented a shop and storeroom from the Capricornia Carrying Company in Berserker Street. They also rented the Church of England Hall and the MethodistChurch. 135 students were enrolled by the first Principal, Victor Honour, on 23rd January, 1956.
The Church of England Hall was partitioned (with canvas curtains) for general class work. The MethodistChurch was used for typing and general work. The large room at the rear of Bird's shop was set up for industrial subjects and a physics laboratory, and the two rooms at the front of the building were used for the Principal's office and a staff room. Domestic Science was restricted to sewing at this stage because there was no space to install cooking facilities. These conditions lasted for 5 months, and they were greatly aggravated by an unusual amount of torrential rain. Teachers found it difficult to compete with the noise of the rain on the tin roof.
 By the end of June 1956, the school occupied the first school building which contained 3 general classrooms and a literary room on the first floor. There was a science lecture room, a laboratory, a science store room, and an enclosed students' recreational area on the ground floor, being used temporarily for manual training classes. The school was officially opened on 22nd September, 1956.
From these beginnings, the school has expanded in all directions. By 1975 it was the eighth largest High School in Queensland.
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