Firbank Girls' Grammar School
Independent, day and boarding school in Brighton, Victoria, Australia
Firbank Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school, situated in the suburb of Brighton, in the Bayside area of Melbourne, Australia.
Established on 26 April 1909,[2] by the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Henry Lowther Clarke, the school currently caters for approximately 1,200 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.
The school opened and in 1910 there was an experienced head in charge. Florence Emily Green had founded and run the New England Girls' School before she sold it. She stood in as a temporary head until 1911 but she was in poor health.[3]
Under the leadership of Maud Cameron, Firbank's 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.[4]
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.[4] The houses are Sheppard Tyson, Aylwin Cameron, Tonkin Clarke and Hancock Crowther.
Sport
Firbank is a member of Girls Sport Victoria (GSV). Firbank has competed in rowing since 1992. It has produced many nationally and internationally recognised swimmers.[citation needed]
GSV premierships
Firbank has won the following GSV premierships.[5]
- Badminton (2) – 2008, 2015
- Diving (18) – 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Soccer (4) – 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018
- Swimming – 2004
- Triathlon, Mini (2) – 2019, 2020
- Triathlon, Sprint – 2015
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
- Prue Acton – fashion designer
- Shaniera Akram – philanthropist, wife of cricketer Wasim
- Amanda Bateman – rower
- Marjorie Bick – biochemist
- Diana Bryant – Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia[6]
- Jane Bunn – meteorologist, Seven News
- Deb Cox – screenwriter
- Judy-Joy Davies – Olympic swimmer and journalist[6]
- Beverley Dunn – actress[6]
- Moya Dyring – artist
- Mavis Freeman – bacteriologist and biochemist[7]
- Chris Gallus – politician
- Jennifer Hansen – former co-presenter, Channel 10 News[6]
- Christie Jenkins – trampoline gymnast
- Amie Kaufman – New York Times bestselling author
- Kirstie Marshall, OAM – Labor MP for Forest Hill and former Aerial Skiing World Champion, also went to Mentone Girls' Secondary College[6]
- Ida Elizabeth Osbourne, MBE – founder of A.B.C. Radio's national Children's Session[8]
- Jeannette Patrick – politician
- Thérèse Rein – wife of former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and founder of employment agency Ingeus
- Susan Renouf – socialite
- Deborah Richards – journalist
- Nina Taylor – politician
- Hayley Verbunt – rowing coxswain
- Jan Wade – Attorney General in Jeff Kennett's government[6]
Notable staff
See also
References
- ^ "Firbank Anglican School: General Information". Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ "Firbank Grammar School Magazine: The Green, Gold & White No. 54 Winter 2019 by Firbank Grammar School - Issuu".
- ^ Grose, Kelvin; Robin, A. De Q., "Florence Emily Green (1862–1926)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 15 October 2023
- ^ a b Firbank Girls' Grammar: History Archived 30 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine (accessed:15-08-2007)
- ^ "Archives » Girls Sport Victoria". Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Green, Jonathan (30 March 2005). "Famous alumni on Latham's hit list". Politics. Crikey. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2007.
- ^ "Freeman, Mavis Louisa". The Australian Women's Register. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ The Argus 4 January 1949
External links
- Official website
- Brighton Grammar School
