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| |name = Somerville House | |name = Somerville House | ||
| |image = ] | |image = ] | ||
| |motto = '' |
|motto = ''Honour before Honours''<ref name=Badge&Motto>{{cite web|url = http://www.somerville.qld.edu.au/content/?id=42 |title = School Badge & Motto |accessdate = 2008-03-16 |year = 2007 |work = History |publisher = Somerville House}}</ref> | ||
| |established = 1899<ref name=StudyQueensland>{{cite web|url = http://studyinqueensland.studylink.com.au/display/provider/provider-info.html?pid=pid-mm-01-00522g|title = Somerville House |accessdate = 2008-03-17|year = 2007|work = Study Queensland |publisher = Queensland Government}}</ref> | |established = 1899<ref name=StudyQueensland>{{cite web|url = http://studyinqueensland.studylink.com.au/display/provider/provider-info.html?pid=pid-mm-01-00522g|title = Somerville House |accessdate = 2008-03-17|year = 2007|work = Study Queensland |publisher = Queensland Government}}</ref> | ||
| |type = ], ], ] and ] | |type = ], ], ] and ] | ||
| |denomination = ] and ] | |denomination = ] and ] | ||
| |slogan = | |slogan = | ||
| |key_people = Dr. Ness |
|key_people = Dr. Ness Goodwin(Principal)<br>Miss Eliza Fewings (Founder) | ||
| |fees = AU$9,210–11,364 p.a<ref name=Fees08>{{cite web |url=http://www.somerville.qld.edu.au/content/?id=77 |title=Tuition (per person) for 2008|accessdate=2008-03-16|year=2008 |work=Scale of Fees |publisher=Somerville House}}</ref> | |fees = AU$9,210–11,364 p.a<ref name=Fees08>{{cite web |url=http://www.somerville.qld.edu.au/content/?id=77 |title=Tuition (per person) for 2008|accessdate=2008-03-16|year=2008 |work=Scale of Fees |publisher=Somerville House}}</ref> | ||
| |city = ] | |city = ] | ||
| |state = ] | |state = ] | ||
| |country = ] {{flagicon|Australia}} | |country = ] {{flagicon|Australia}} | ||
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| |num_employ = ~80<ref name=Report06/> | |num_employ = ~80<ref name=Report06/> | ||
| |revenue = | |revenue = | ||
| |colours = |
|colours = Navy Blue and Green<ref name=BadgeMotto2/> {{color box|#000080}}{{color box|#009900}} | ||
| |homepage = | |homepage = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Somerville House''' is an ], ] and ] for girls |
'''Somerville House''' is an ], ] and ] for girls, located in ], an inner-city suburb of ], ], ]. | ||
| Established in 1899 as The Brisbane High School for Girls, the School was eventually named after the British scientific writer, ] (1780–1872), though the school's official name is still Brisbane High School for Girls. Today, Somerville House is owned by the ] (PMSA),<ref name=PMSA>{{cite web|url = http://www.pmsa-schools.edu.au/content/standard.asp?name=Somerville_House |title = Somerville House |accessdate = 2008-03-16 |work = Schools |publisher = Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association}}</ref> and provides classes from Preparatory to Year 12, within three sub-schools — Junior (Years Prep to 6), Middle (Years 7 to 9), and Senior (Years 10 to 12). The school currently caters for approximately 1,200 students from Prep to Year 12,<ref name=Report06/> including 97 boarders from Years 7 to 12.<ref name=ABSA/> | Established in 1899 as The Brisbane High School for Girls, the School was eventually named after the British scientific writer, ] (1780–1872), though the school's official name is still Brisbane High School for Girls. Today, Somerville House is owned by the ] (PMSA),<ref name=PMSA>{{cite web|url = http://www.pmsa-schools.edu.au/content/standard.asp?name=Somerville_House |title = Somerville House |accessdate = 2008-03-16 |work = Schools |publisher = Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association}}</ref> and provides classes from Preparatory to Year 12, within three sub-schools — Junior (Years Prep to 6), Middle (Years 7 to 9), and Senior (Years 10 to 12). The school currently caters for approximately 1,200 students from Prep to Year 12,<ref name=Report06/> including 97 boarders from Years 7 to 12.<ref name=ABSA/> | ||
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| == History == | == History == | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| The Brisbane High School for Girls (later to be known as Somerville House) was established with 39 students on Wickham Terrace, by Eliza Fewings in October 1899.<ref name=PMSA/> The early school consisted of a large Assembly hall, drill hall, and a number of separate classrooms, with the four founding boarders living with Fewings at her home, "Glen Olive", in ].<ref name=BeforeCumbooquepa>{{cite web|url = http://www.qldnet.com/centenary/history/pgsix.html |title =Before Cumbooquepa |accessdate = 2008-03-17 |year = 1999 |work = Our Centenary 1899-1999 |publisher = Somerville House}}</ref> Fewings, who had previously been ] of the ],<ref name=History>{{cite web|url = http://www.somerville.qld.edu.au/content/?id=3 |title =History |accessdate = 2008-03-17 |work = About Somerville |publisher = Somerville House}}</ref> aimed to create a school community where girls could be educated and equipped with |
The Brisbane High School for Girls (later to be known as Somerville House) was established with 39 students on Wickham Terrace, by Eliza Fewings in October 1899.<ref name=PMSA/> The early school consisted of a large Assembly hall, drill hall, and a number of separate classrooms, with the four founding boarders living with Fewings at her home, "Glen Olive", in ].<ref name=BeforeCumbooquepa>{{cite web|url = http://www.qldnet.com/centenary/history/pgsix.html |title =Before Cumbooquepa |accessdate = 2008-03-17 |year = 1999 |work = Our Centenary 1899-1999 |publisher = Somerville House}}</ref> Fewings, who had previously been ] of the ],<ref name=History>{{cite web|url = http://www.somerville.qld.edu.au/content/?id=3 |title =History |accessdate = 2008-03-17 |work = About Somerville |publisher = Somerville House}}</ref> aimed to create a school community where girls could be educated and equipped with social graces, and would be able to take a leading role in the management of the nation.<ref name=PMSA/><ref name=EAFewings/> Based on English models, within three years it became the largest girls' ] in Queensland, with 150 students.<ref name=EAFewings/> | ||
| In 1900, the boarders moved to "Whytecliffe" at ], a property which still stands in Whytecliffe Street. In July 1903, the boarders were moved again, this time to "Garth House" on Wickham Terrace, which was closer to the Day School. Early in 1906, after Miss Fewings returned from a trip abroad, the boarding students were relocated once more to "Cheltenham", which was situated in what is now Jephson Street, Toowong.<ref name=BeforeCumbooquepa/> | In 1900, the boarders moved to "Whytecliffe" at ], a property which still stands in Whytecliffe Street. In July 1903, the boarders were moved again, this time to "Garth House" on Wickham Terrace, which was closer to the Day School. Early in 1906, after Miss Fewings returned from a trip abroad, the boarding students were relocated once more to "Cheltenham", which was situated in what is now Jephson Street, Toowong.<ref name=BeforeCumbooquepa/> | ||
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| |- | |- | ||
| |2004 – present | |2004 – present | ||
| |Dr Ness Goodwin | |||
| |Dr Stupidness Retardedwin | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| Line 139: | Line 139: | ||
| *] - Olympic Swimmer | *] - Olympic Swimmer | ||
| *] - Olympic Swimmer and World Record Holder | *] - Olympic Swimmer and World Record Holder | ||
| *] - Special Olympic Wheel-Chair Racing and World Record Holder | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 09:24, 8 April 2008
Template:Infobox Aust school private
Somerville House is an independent, boarding and day school for girls, located in South Brisbane, an inner-city suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Established in 1899 as The Brisbane High School for Girls, the School was eventually named after the British scientific writer, Mary Somerville (1780–1872), though the school's official name is still Brisbane High School for Girls. Today, Somerville House is owned by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA), and provides classes from Preparatory to Year 12, within three sub-schools — Junior (Years Prep to 6), Middle (Years 7 to 9), and Senior (Years 10 to 12). The school currently caters for approximately 1,200 students from Prep to Year 12, including 97 boarders from Years 7 to 12.
Somerville House is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), the Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA), the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia (AGSA), the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), and is a founding member of the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association Inc (QGSSSA).
History
The Brisbane High School for Girls (later to be known as Somerville House) was established with 39 students on Wickham Terrace, by Eliza Fewings in October 1899. The early school consisted of a large Assembly hall, drill hall, and a number of separate classrooms, with the four founding boarders living with Fewings at her home, "Glen Olive", in Toowong. Fewings, who had previously been Headmistress of the Brisbane Girls' Grammar School, aimed to create a school community where girls could be educated and equipped with social graces, and would be able to take a leading role in the management of the nation. Based on English models, within three years it became the largest girls' secondary school in Queensland, with 150 students.
In 1900, the boarders moved to "Whytecliffe" at Albion, a property which still stands in Whytecliffe Street. In July 1903, the boarders were moved again, this time to "Garth House" on Wickham Terrace, which was closer to the Day School. Early in 1906, after Miss Fewings returned from a trip abroad, the boarding students were relocated once more to "Cheltenham", which was situated in what is now Jephson Street, Toowong.
Constance Harker and Marjorie Jarrett purchased the school in 1909 and so began their partnership as co-Principals. The two women searched for a site that could house the day and boarding schools under one roof, and in 1912, settled on "Erneton" on Wickham Terrace, which was located next door to the boarders previous residence, "Garth House". A paddock at the rear of Garth House was rented for a netball court. As time went on, space became limited at the new site, and so "Athol Place", a few doors away on the Terrace was rented for extra Boarders and two primary classes.
Harker and Jarrett gained little income from the school, as teacher-proprietors had little chance of financing a modern expanding school, especially one with boarding facilities. In 1918, due to these financial struggles, they transferred ownership to the newly formed Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association, while retaining their Principalship. In 1920 the school moved from Wickham Terrace to its present site on Mater Hill, in South Brisbane, opening with an enrolment of 225 pupils. The boarding-school occupied "Cumbooquepa", the now National Trust listed, former home of prominent Brisbane businessman, newspaper publisher, and one time Mayor of Brisbane, Thomas Blacket Stephens (built 1890). At this time the school's name was changed to Somerville House, in recognition of the work of Mary Somerville (1780–1872), a famous Scottish scientist and mathematician of the 19th century. Over the next two decades the school carried out a major building programme and established a good reputation.
Harker retired in 1931, but continued to live at the boarding school until Jarrett's retirement in 1940. During her time as Principal, she gained a repuation in Queensland as a pioneer in the education of girls. The academic achievements of Somerville House during her co-Principalship were amongst the best in the state, and she widened the interests of her pupils by encouraging visitors who were authorities on literature, music, art and international affairs. She encouraged good citizenship and social service, and during World War I formed the first school branch of the Red Cross Society in Queensland. The school subsequently had branches of the Australian Student Christian Movement and the League of Nations Union, two companies of Girl Guides, and a Cot Fund which supported the ill and disabled. The still functioning Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA), was initiated by her.
On Saturday 24 January 1942, Military authorities visited Somerville House with a view to taking it over. The school was officially commandeered by the Australian Military Forces on 1 February, and was later used as Base Section Three Headquarters of the United States Army, East Asian Command, for the duration of the Second World War. Pupils from north of the Brisbane River were transferred to Raymont Lodge, at Auchenflower, while those from the south went to the former Queen Alexandra Home, Coorparoo; boarding students were sent to Moiomindah at Stanthorpe, which became the school's administrative centre. Based at Stanthorpe, the Principal at the time, Elinor Frances Craig, managed the three dispersed centres and frequently commuted by rail to maintain a presence in Brisbane. The school returned to South Brisbane with minimal inconvenience in January 1945, and classes commenced on 6 February. The American forces still occupied the upper floor of the school's education block with an armed guard at the door.
The years since the war have seen many changes to Cumbooquepa, which is now used as a boarding house. Restoration work was undertaken in 1980 in order to preserve the building. The first new building since the library in 1934 was opened in 1960, the MK Jarrett School of Music and Drama. This has been followed with further construction, including the Aquatic Centre, Seymour Centre, classrooms, and the Valmai Pidgeon Performing Arts Complex, opened in 2000. In 1986, Old Girls of the School rallied from around the country in protest of an offer to the School Council from an overseas syndicate, to purchase the School for use as a trade centre, adjoining the Expo '88 site. This offer was eventually rejected.
Principals
| Period | Details |
|---|---|
| 1899 – 1909 | Miss Eliza Ann Fewings |
| 1910 – 1931 | Miss Constance E Harker |
| 1910 – 1940 | Miss Marjorie K Jarrett |
| 1941 – 1953 | Miss E Frances Craig |
| 1953 – 1956 | Miss Ellen Christensen |
| 1957 – 1969 | Miss Isobel Taylor |
| 1970 – 1973 | Mr Rod Wells |
| 1974 – 1987 | The Reverend Sam Seymour |
| 1988 – 2003 | Dr Murray J Evans |
| 2004 – present | Dr Ness Goodwin |
Curriculum
Somerville House typically performs well in state-wide examinations, scoring the second highest rating for academic outcomes from girls' schools in the Queensland Studies Authority's 2005 report.
Technology
The deployment of laptop computers to the staff and students of Somerville House began in 2001 and continued to the pilot laptop deployment to Year 6 students during Semester 2, 2003. Laptops are currently used by all Year 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 students.
School badge
The School Badge appeared for the first time on the cover of the June Magazine in 1902, and was designed by architect, Robin Dods. The central figure represents Wisdom, standing upon or emerging from, the open book, representing Knowledge. In her hand is a lamp, representing Truth. The school motto, Honour before Honours, can be found at the base of the badge.
In 1912 the original school colours of yellow and white were changed to navy blue and green. The colours of the School badge are blue, green and white, with blue associated with loyalty, green representing growth, and white representing purity.
From 1949, the name Somerville House surmounted the badge and the side letters of B.G.H.S. were omitted.
House system
As with most Australian school, Somerville House utilises a house system. During World War II, a limited house system was first introduced to encourage participation in sport. The two houses were named Leslie and Cunningham, after two local pioneers. After the school was reunited at Vulture Street in 1945, it was decided to divide the school from Form IVA (Year 12) to Form IIB (Year 3), into four groups. The Houses were named after outstanding women in Australian history. First Form and Kindergarten (Prep, Years 1 and 2) had their own system, Elves, Goblins, Fairies and Pixies. It was not until 1983, when the school had grown significantly, that two more Houses were started – Durack and Gilmore.
Today the school has six houses, each named after a famous Australian woman that was a pioneer in her field:
- Chisholm - Named after Caroline Chisholm
- Durack - Named after Mary Durack (nee Costello)
- Franklin - Named after Jane Franklin
- Gilmore - Named after Mary Gilmore
- MacArthur - Named after Elizabeth Macarthur
- Osburn - Named after Lucy Osburn
The Houses have competed for the Adamson Shield since 1947, a gift of Dr R V Adamson, father of a past pupil. In 1948, Mr D.J Drysdale donated a shield for competition in Choral singing between the Houses, which is still presented at the annual Choral Festival. Inter-house competitions held throughout the year, inlude a Swimming Carnival, Athletics Carnival, Charity Trot, Chess Competition, Senior School Choral Festival (Years 10-12), and Middle School Arts Festival (Years 7-9).
Notable alumnae
Alumnae of Somerville House are known as Old Girls, and may elect to join the schools alumni association, the Somerville House Old Girls' Association (OGA). The OGA was established in 1901. Some notable Somerville House Old Girls include:
- Academic
- Ida Nancy Ashburn - Founding Principal of Clayfield College
- Professor Susan Caroline Bambrick OBE - Consultant; Emeritus Professor at the University of Southern Queensland
- Dr Isobel Bennett - One of Australia's most distinguished marine biologists
- Professor Joan Kerr - Art and architectural historian
- Business and philanthropy
- Ann Caroline Sherry AO - Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Australia; Director of Special Olympics Australia; Recipient of the Centenary Medal 2003
- Entertainment, media and the arts
- Betty Churcher - Artist and former Director of the Australian National Gallery (also attended Brisbane Girls Grammar School)
- Melissa Downes - Reporter and presenter with National Nine News, Brisbane
- Jackie French - Author
- Margaret Olley - Artist
- Politics, public service and the law
- Hon. Jane Lesley Aagaard - Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly; Member for Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly (ALP)
- Gracia Baylor AM - Politician (Liberal), member for Boronia; One of the first two women elected to the Victorian Legislative Council (1979)
- The Honourable Justice Anthe Philippides - Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Sport
- Isabella Holland - Professional Tennis Player
- Lisa Curry Kenny - Olympic Swimmer
- Lisbeth Lenton - Olympic Swimmer and World Record Holder
References
- ^ "Somerville House". Schools. Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- Cite error: The named reference
Report06was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Somerville House". Schools - Queensland. Australian Boarding Schools Association. 2005. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- "Queensland". School Directory. Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia. 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- "JSHAA Queensland Directory of Members". Queensland Branch. Junior School Heads' Association of Australia. 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- Butler, Jan (2006). "Member Schools". Members. The Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- "(What is) QGSSSA". QGSSSA. Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association Inc. 2005. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- ^ "Before Cumbooquepa". Our Centenary 1899-1999. Somerville House. 1999. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- ^ "History". About Somerville. Somerville House. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- ^ Clarke, E (1981). "Fewings, Eliza Ann (1857 - 1940)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 8 (Online ed.). Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. pp. pp.490-491. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - ^ Gill, K.E (1983). "Harker, Constance Elizabeth (1875 - 1964)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 9 (Online ed.). Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. pp. p.199. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - ^ "The War Years". Our Centenary 1899-1999. Somerville House. 1999. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- ^ Gill, K.E (1993). "Craig, Elinor Frances (1888 - 1969)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 13 (Online ed.). Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. pp. p.596. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - "Somerville House Principals". Our Centenary 1899-1999. Somerville House. 1999. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- ^ "School Badge and Motto". Our Centenary 1899-1999. Somerville House. 1999. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- ^ "The House System". About Us. Somerville House. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- "Somerville House Old Girls' Association". Community Relations. Somerville House. 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
- Swan, Geoffrey (1993). "Ashburn, Ida Nancy (1909 - 1980)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 13 (Online ed.). Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. pp. pp.76-77. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - Suzannah Pearce, ed. (2006-11-17). "BAMBRICK Susan Caroline". Who's Who in Business Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Allen, Nessy (2000). "Dr Isobel Bennett (1909-2008): Marine biologist". Interviews with Australian Scientists. Australian Academy of Science. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- Bruce, Candice (2004-03-04). "Sparkling mind lit up the art world". Obituaries. Sydney: The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- Suzannah Pearce, ed. (2006-11-17). "SHERRY Ann Caroline". Who's Who in Business Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Thompson, Peter (2005-09-05). "Betty Churcher". Talking Heads - Transcripts. ABC2. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- "Melissa Downes". The Who's Who of News. National Nine News. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- Stewart, Meg (2006-08-06). "Good golly, Ms Olley". Arts and Entertainment. ABC North Coast. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- Suzannah Pearce, ed. (2006-11-17). "AAGAARD Jane Lesley, Hon.". Who's Who in Business Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - "Baylor, (Hilda) Gracia". re-member. Parliament of Victoria. 2004-06-28. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- "The Honourable Justice Anthe Philippides". Qld Judiciary. Supreme Court of Queensland Library. 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
Further reading
- Hall, N. 1999. A Legacy of Honour: The Centenary History of Somerville House. Boolarong Press, Brisbane.
- Freeman, P.G. 1988. History of Somerville House (The Brisbane High School for Girls): 1899-1949. Smith & Patterson, Brisbane.
See also
External links
| Members of the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association, Australia | |
|---|---|
| Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association Colleges, Queensland, Australia | |
|---|---|