basis of instruction." The Maitland High Schools served more than just the Maitland community which, in 1888, was numbered at 9,000; boys and girls came by train from nearby Newcastle and its suburbs, which had 27,750 inhabitants in 1888. This arrangement continued until 1906 when Newcastle High School opened, the first new state high school since the 1884 opening of the Maitland High Schools. To cater for other students, Maitland Boys' High operated a boarding house; the boarding house closed in 1969 and the building was re-opened in 1978 as the R.J. Hinder Memorial Library, a collection which had been funded by the Old Boys' Association in honour of former headmaster. The founding headmaster was the capable John Waterhouse who was recruited from Newington College to guide the Boys' High School through its early years; the sister school was not so fortunate: "the first headmistress was dismissed, the second only lasted a short time. Annie Watson, who took over in 1886, proved capable." On 6 June 1891, the foundation stone was laid for a new building for the "High School for Boys at Maitland East". The building was completed in June 1892 and opened in July 1892. Co-education and new names From Term 1, 1987, the Minister for Education directed that the former Maitland Boys High and the former Maitland Girls High were to be co-educational; he announced that the schools would be renamed Maitland High School and Evatt High School in honour of the Evatt family whom he described as "the finest family that Maitland has produced, arguably that Australia has produced". The decision caused public controversy and the former Maitland Boys High School was renamed Maitland High School, and the former Maitland Girls High School was renamed Maitland Grossman High School in honour of Jeanette Grossmann who was headmistress of Maitland Girls High school from 1890 to the end of 1913. Co-curricular activities Performing Arts Maitland High School has a number of dance and musical groups that practise regularly and perform at the school and in the local area. The school showcases the talent of the students at the yearly "MADD" (Music Art Drama Dance) night. Together with 2,500 other students from around the area, students from Maitland High School participate regularly in the Hunter Schools Dance Festival. Students at the school also take part in the Star Struck event together with around 3,000 other students from around