Henry Kendall High School was officially opened in January 1970. Since 1958, students had attended school on the Faunce Street site known as the Annexe of Gosford High School. As the number of students increased a new school was decided upon - Henry Kendall High School - with its own staff, uniform, badge and motto. The first Principal of was Mr Leo Hickey and he held full school assemblies in the courtyard of the then new building - 'A' Block (now 'J' Block).
Henry Kendall (1839 - 1882) |
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Although his work was published, he found it difficult to support himself and so he worked as a clerk and freelanced as a journalist. In 1868 Henry married Charlotte. Their life together had many hardships. Their daughter, Araluen, died young and the distraught parents were too poor to afford a headstone for her grave. Henry wrote a poem in memory of Araluen. Henry had reached a very low point in his life when he arrived in Gosford in 1872. He found the beautiful surroundings of Gosford, including the beaches and creeks; the bush, and the hills; and the good friends he made, helped restore his health and confidence. While in Gosford, Henry wrote poems such as Narara Creek, Rover and Names upon a Stone among others. In 1875 he was appointed Clerk at Fagan's timber yard and stone at Camden Haven, now known as Kendall. In the year that followed, his wife and two sons returned to live with him. With his family back together, Henry left Gosford with many fond memories. He continued to write and publish his poems but in 1882 he fell dangerously ill with tuberculosis. He died aged 43 and was buried at Waverley Cemetery in Sydney. |
Henry Kendall High School is named after a well-respected poet who lived in Gosford for a period of time. Henry was born in the Ulladulla district and as a young man enjoyed writing poems and songs.
Below is an exerpt from Henry Kendall's
"Bell Birds"
By channels of coolness the echoes are calling,
And down the dim gorges I hear the creek falling:
It lives in the mountain where moss and the sedges
Touch with their beauty the banks and the ledges.
Through breaks of the cedar and sycamore bowers
Struggles the light that is love to the flowers;
And, softer than slumber, and sweeter than singing,
The notes of the bellbirds are running and ringing.