The News Hub

Published: 25 February 2026.

Did you know Glenunga International High School used to be known as Adelaide Technical High School, which was the first technical high school in South Australia? Founded on the corner of North Terrace and Frome Street as the South Australian School of Mines in 1903, the school wanted entrants to be better qualified in chemistry, physics and maths than the usual high school to assist boys undergoing diploma courses in engineering and mining. Classes were also taught on woodworking, sheet metal work and fitting and turning.

From 1915 the school was expanded to include a commercial stream (mostly for female students) in addition to the technical stream. In 1918 the name was changed to Adelaide Technical High School or “Adelaide Tech”, and in 1963 the school was relocated to the current site at Glenunga.

With the shift in site, superintendence of the school was transferred from the Institute of Technology to the Department of Education. Adelaide Tech’s curriculum gradually shifted focus from technical skills to a more standardized high school curriculum, and in 1974 the school’s name was changed to Glenunga High School. In response to dwindling enrollment numbers in the 1980s, Glenunga High School introduced the International Baccalaureate program and, in 1992, underwent its final name change to the current Glenunga International High School.

Thank you to Graham Maguire, BHS member and Adelaide Tech alumni, for his assistance in creating this week’s Windback Wednesday.

Photo: Adelaide Technical High School, courtesy of Glenunga International High School.