Helen Edwards

I still remember walking through Vic High’s doors as a teenager in 1960 — nervous, bookish, and not at all certain where life would take me. Those years shaped me more than I realized: friends made in classrooms and corridors are still part of my life today. Vic High wasn’t just a school; it was a place where I learned who I was.

As a member of the Class of 1964, I’ve watched this school change and endure. For many years it was the only high school in Victoria, and while other schools later adopted the “Secondary” label, Vic High kept its historic name — and its spirit. Over 150 years, so many remarkable Victorians have walked these halls. This book is my attempt to capture the last fifty years of that story, beginning with the centennial celebration in 1976.

There have been highs and lows on Grant Street. I remember heated debates in classrooms, late-night study sessions, and the thrill of school events. I’m proud of the recent seismic upgrades and additions — seeing the heritage building strengthened and modernized felt like watching an old friend get the care they deserved. The people who guided those projects arrived at exactly the right moments; today’s students have the best of Vic High’s past alongside the facilities to embrace the future.

More than the bricks and mortar, Vic High is the people — students, teachers, custodians, administrators — whose personalities and stories stick with you. That’s why the newsletter gathered alumni memories for the final chapter. Some tales are perfectly true; some may be a little embellished. Either way, they bring the school to life.

If you’re a Vic High grad, I hope this book brings back a laugh, a memory, or a sudden image of someone you haven’t thought about in years. Look back, smile at the crazy things you did, and remember that you’re part of the Vic High family — as I am, always.

The book is available at Russell Books, Bolen Books, Munro’s Books, and the Vic High Alumni store.