Firbank Girls' Grammar School
| Firbank grammar school | |
|---|---|
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| |
| Location | |
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Brighton, Victoria Australia | |
| Coordinates | 37°54′22″S 144°59′45″E / 37.90611°S 144.99583°ECoordinates: 37°54′22″S 144°59′45″E / 37.90611°S 144.99583°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent, Co-educational (Primary), Single-sex (Secondary), Day and Boarding |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Established | 1909 |
| Chairman | I.S. Goddard |
| Principal | Mrs. Heather Norton |
| Enrolment | ~1,100 (ELC–12)[1] |
| Colour(s) | Green, Gold and White |
| Slogan | "A Place to Grow" |
| Website | www.firbank.vic.edu.au |
Firbank Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school, situated in the suburb of Brighton, in the bayside area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Established in 1909, by the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Henry Lowther Clarke, the school currently caters for approximately 1,100 students. The Early Learning Centre and primary school are co-educational, whilst the secondary school (Years 7–12) is for girls only.
Firbank is a member of the Australian Anglican Schools Network, the British Schools and Universities Foundation and Girls Sport Victoria (GSV). Firbank has close ties with its brother school, Brighton Grammar School, a boys' school. Students of the two schools participate in a number of co-educational activities together such as music and drama.
History
Firbank Grammar School was established as a Christian, day and boarding school for girls in 1909, by the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Henry Lowther Clarke who was left a legacy for educational purposes. The Archbishop purchased 'Gawsworth', a property which stretched between Outer and Middle Crescents, and named the school after Firbank, his birthplace in Westmorland, England. He chose the motto, Vincit Qui Se Vincit ("She conquers who conquers herself") and gave the School his Archbishop crest.
Under the leadership of Maud Cameron, Firbank's first and longest serving Headmistress, enrolments grew and further land was purchased, including the 'Pen-y-bryn' estate and 'Atherstone' in Sandringham. Since its foundation, Firbank has maintained a strong connection with St Andrew's Anglican Church, Brighton where formal school services are held.[2]
Campus
Firbank consists of three educational sections on two campuses: 'Sandringham House', a co-educational primary school in Sandringham offering a quality education; 'Turner House', a primary school for girls; and the Senior School catering for girls only in Years 7 to 12.[2] The houses are Sheppard-Tyson, Aylwin-Cameron, Tonkin-Clarke and Hancock-Crowther.
Sport
Firbank has competed in rowing since 1992. It claims to have produced many nationally and internationally recognised swimmers. Firbank has lots of very special students when it comes to sports, and Firbank also has a program going every term called GSV Sports for Year 7-12, and lots of girls participate. There are two sports every term. Sandringham House, one of the campuses of Firbank is especially impressive having many national level representatives in Soccer, aerobics and Tennis. Considering there are only around 400 students in Sandringham House this is an incredible achievement
Media
The Brighton campus was one of the sites for filming the 2005 television series We Can Be Heroes: Finding The Australian of the Year, in two episodes of the television production Neighbours in 2007, the film Any Questions for Ben? in 2012, Ja'mie Private school girl in 2013 and Upper Middle Bogan also in 2013.
Notable alumnae
- Diana Bryant – Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia[3]
- Judy-Joy Davies – Olympic swimmer and Journalist [3]
- Beverley Dunn – Actress[3]
- Jennifer Hansen – Former co-presenter, Channel 10 News[3]
- Asher Keddie – Actress[3]
- Kirstie Marshall, OAM – ALP celebrity MP for Forest Hill and former Aerial Skiing World Champion, also went to Mentone Girls' Secondary College[3]
- Ida Elizabeth Osbourne, MBE – founder of A.B.C. Radio's national Children's Session[4]
- Amber Petty – Bridesmaid to HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and roving reporter on Molly Meldrum's music show[3]
- Therese Rein – Wife of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and founder of employment agency Ingeus.
- Jan Wade – Jeff Kennett's Attorney General[3]
- Jacqui Cooper - Aerial Skiing World Champion
See also
References
- ↑ Firbank Anglican School: General Information (accessed:31-05-2006)
- 1 2 Firbank Girls' Grammar: History (accessed:15-08-2007)
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Green, Jonathan (2005-03-30). "Famous alumni on Latham's hit list". Politics. Crikey. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ↑ The Argus 4 January 1949