Firbank Girls' Grammar School
Firbank Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school, situated in the suburb of Brighton, in the bayside area of Melbourne, Australia.
Firbank Grammar School | |
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Firbank Grammar School crest | |
Address | |
51 Outer Crescent , 3186 Australia | |
Coordinates | 37°54′22″S 144°59′45″E |
Information | |
Type | Independent, co-educational, primary, single-sex, secondary, day and boarding |
Motto | Latin: Vincit Qui Se Vincit (She conquers who conquers herself) |
Denomination | Anglican |
Established | 1909 |
Founder | Archibishop Henry Lowther Clarke |
Sister school | Brighton Grammar School |
Chairperson | Jennine Ross |
Principal | Jenny Williams |
Chaplain | Christine Croft |
Key people | Leandra Turner (Head of Senior School) Kim Wheeler (Head of Campus: Turner House) Brad Nelsen (Head of Campus: Sandringham House) |
Gender | Girls Brighton Campuses Co-ed Sandringham Junior School |
Enrolment | ~1,200 (ELC–12)[1] |
Colour(s) | Green, gold and white |
Slogan | Where all students find their place, now and for the future |
Website | firbank |
Established in 1909, 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.
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 has produced many nationally and internationally recognised swimmers.
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]
- Catherine Skinner - Olympic gold medallist - Trap shooting
- Jane Bunn - Meteorologist, Seven News
- 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]
- Thérèse 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
- List of schools in Victoria
- Anglican Church of Australia
References
- "Firbank Anglican School: General Information". Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- Firbank Girls' Grammar: History Archived 30 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine (accessed:15-08-2007)
- 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.
- The Argus 4 January 1949