John Forrest Secondary College was established in 1961 as John Forrest Senior High School. It was named after the first Premier of Western Australia, John Forrest. In 2011, it became an Independent Public School. Alongside this, the school's name was changed to John Forrest Secondary College. In 2015, John Forrest started accepting year 7 students for the first time, becoming a 7-12 school, alongside most other public high schools in the state.
Future
In 2017, the state Labor government committed $50 million to build new and refurbish existing facilities at John Forrest Secondary College. The new facilities will include a performing arts centre, administration building, buildings for the technologies learning area, a cafeteria and new sports courts. In July 2019, an architect was appointed. Construction is set to start in December 2019.
Programs
John Forrest Secondary College offers Department of Education endorsed specialist programs in Cricket, Music, Netball and Tennis, and the college based Academic Excellence Program and Computer Science Program.
Cricket
John Forrest's cricket program is endorsed by the Western Australian Cricket Association. The cricket program includes four hours per week of class time, regular competitions, interstate and international cricket tours. Students play on a turf wicket at school grounds and often travel to the WACA Ground. The program is supported by patron Bruce Reid, who was a former student.
Music
To gain entry to the music program, students must audition. Students in the program do music theory, weekly instrumental lessons, ensembles outside class time and various performances and concerts. The music program is open to year 6's from nearby schools, where they travel to John Forrest for an hour each week. Facilities for music are two music classrooms and four instrumental rooms. Students can choose to do Music ATAR in years 11 and 12. Ashley Smith, former student of John Forrest and Head of Woodwind and Contemporary Performance at UWAschool of music is the patron for the music program.
Netball
Netball students have four hours per week of class time and are involved in competitions. Jessica Anstiss, player for the West Coast Fever is the patron for the netball program.
Tennis
In the tennis program, students study tennis for four hours per week and participate in competitions. The tennis program does not currently have a patron. Margaret Court was previously the patron, however the school sacked her in October 2017, because her views on family and sexuality did not conform with that of the John Forrest college board, which created controversy amongst students offending different students of different beliefs. John Forrest was named Western Australia's most outstanding school at the 2017 WA Tennis Industry Awards Night.
Local intake area
John Forrest Secondary College's local intake area covers Ashfield, Bedford, most of Bayswater, part of Dianella, part of Embleton, part of Inglewood, part of Maylands, part of Morley and a small part of Bassendean. Students living in the local intake area have a guaranteed place at the school if they apply. Students living outside the local intake area may join the school if they are accepted into one of the specialist programs or after being judged on a case by case basis.
Transport
John Forrest Secondary College is in a good location for public transport, being located near the Morley bus station and several bus routes. High frequency bus routes that stop nearby include the CircleRoute, 950 and 955.
Academic results
Year
Rank
Median ATAR
Eligible students
Students with ATAR
% Students with ATAR
Ref
2019
65
78.70
160
52
32.50%
2018
82
77.85
157
47
29.94%
2017
126
67.00
143
55
38.46%
2016
109
77.55
140
52
37.14%
Student numbers
Student numbers have significantly increased since 2015, partially due to year 7 students being accepted and the 2014 half cohort leaving.
