The school itself was founded shortly before the Mount Lamington eruption in 1951, which more or less totally destroyed it.  It was rebuilt, and new buildings continue to be erected.  Above is the main building, with the staff room on the ground floor and a year 11 and a year 12 classroom above.  Connection to the outside world is via a radio phone line that quite often works, but cannot provide internet access.

The school has recently changed from being boys only, years 7 to 10, to being co-educational and years 9 to 12.  Nearly all students are boarders.  Of the 550 or so students, the thirty current year 12 students are only the second year 12 that the school has had, and the number and quality of years 11 and 12 is steadily increasing.