Melbourne Grammar School

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Melbourne Grammar School
Ora et Labora
(Latin:"Pray and Work")[1]
Established 1858[2]
School Type Independent, Co-educational (Primary), Single-sex (Secondary), Day & Boarding
Denomination Anglican[2]
Slogan "Fostering Learning & Leadership"[3]
Key People Mr. Paul Sheahan (Headmaster)
Rev. Charles Perry (Founder)
The Rev'd Dr Ron Noone (Chaplain)
Sandy Clark (Chairman)
Location South Yarra & Caulfield, Victoria, Australia Flag of Australia
Coordinates 37°50′2″S 144°58′34″E / -37.83389, 144.97611Coordinates: 37°50′2″S 144°58′34″E / -37.83389, 144.97611
Enrolment ~1,800 (P-12)[4]
Colours Navy Blue      
Homepage www.mgs.vic.edu.au

Melbourne Grammar School, also known as MGS or Melbourne Boys, is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school predominantly for boys, located in South Yarra and Caulfield, suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Founded in 1858 as the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, the school has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 1,800 students from Prep to Year 12, including 120 boarders from Years 7 to 12.[4]

The bluestone buildings at the senior campus are all on the Victorian Heritage Register. The school's War Memorial Hall recently underwent a major renovation and in 2006 it won the RAIA National Architecture Awards - Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage, the top award in its category, at an awards show in Brisbane.

Melbourne Grammar is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),[5] the Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA),[6] the Australian Boarding Schools' Association (ABSA),[4] the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria (AISV),[2] and is a founding member of the historic Associated Public Schools of Victoria (APS).

In 2001, The Sun-Herald ranked Melbourne Grammar School second in Australia's top ten boys' schools, based on the number of its alumni mentioned in the Who's Who in Australia (a listing of notable Australians).[7][a]

Contents

[edit] History

Melbourne Grammar School, c. 1860
Melbourne Grammar School, c. 1860

The origins of Melbourne Grammar School can be traced back to 1849, with the establishment of an 'experimental' grammar school at St Peter's Eastern Hill, East Melbourne. This school had been established by Melbourne's first Church of England Bishop, Charles Perry, who founded the Diocese of Melbourne, and had been opened to meet the growing educational needs of the young colony.[8] In 1853 Bishop Perry commenced planning for the diocesan 'experimental' school to become permanent, although on a larger site and not under his direct management, and so he set up a committee of eminent men to consider the task. The school however did not thrive and was suspended at the end of 1854.[9]

The first School Council was elected in 1854 to take over from the committee, and it set about drawing up a Constitution, finding a Headmaster and a new site. Locations considered included Carlton, Prahran and St Kilda.[9]

Perry's dream of building a permanent, centrally located grammar school, based on the principles of the great English Public Schools, was realised in 1855, with a grant from the Governor Charles Hotham of 15 acres on St Kilda Road. This is the inner South Yarra land now occupied by Senior School and Wadhurst, next to the Royal Botanic Gardens and a short walk from the central city. At the time it was considered relatively isolated and remote. The Council chose architects Charles Webb and Thomas Taylor, and Bishop Perry laid the School's foundation stone on 30 July 1856.[9]

Melbourne Grammar School, 1876
Melbourne Grammar School, 1876

The Melbourne Church of England Grammar School was finally opened on 7 April 1858 with 77 pupils, and with Dr John E Bromby as the first Headmaster. Enrolments grew to 136 during the first year, with 4 students being the sons of Dr Bromby, and about one quarter of the them boarders.[9]

The school's first fourty years proved to be a struggle, exacerbated in the 1890s by economic depression, financial concerns and changes of Headmaster. Senior School enrolments fell from 272 in 1889 to 117 in 1894 prompting a group of former students to do something "to save the old School". They formed The Old Melburnians Society in 1895,

“ to be the means of bringing together many former schoolmates, reviving pleasant recollections, and at the same time benefiting the life of the School as it is today.[9] ”

Two significant developments of the late nineteenth century were, firstly, the recognition that with a limited site, one storey buildings were not a wise use of space. A move began, continued now, of adding second stories or replacing buildings with two or three level structures. The second was the dedication of the Chapel of St Peter in 1893, the first school chapel in the colony of Victoria.[9]

The beginning of the new century saw the School's future assured, with enrolments increasing and the Jubilee celebrated in 1908. Hundreds of former students enlisted in the Great War of 1914-1918, as they had in the South African War, and sadly more than 200 did not return.[9]

Melbourne Grammar School Chapel, c. 1893
Melbourne Grammar School Chapel, c. 1893

The 1920s were a relatively stable time for the School, experiencing high academic and sporting results. The 1930s however were an unsettling time. The Great Depression put pressure on members of the Grammar community, while administrative instability affected the whole school. Between 1935 and 1938 the School had three Headmasters and two Acting Headmasters, and the outbreak of war the following year meant building plans were put on hold. Some 3,500 Old Boys enlisted in the services, and school buildings were commandeered by Australian and American forces with some students dispatched to the country and others doubled up in crowded quarters.[9]

By the 1950s it became clear that the School was seriously lacking adequate space, with expansions, extensions and renovations mostly crammed into Dr Bromby's original 15 acres. The School subsequently embarked upon a building program which it was thought could take 30 years to complete, with the Senior School, Wadhurst and Grimwade campuses all receiving attention. The Centenary Building Campaign of 1958 began this expansion. Another solution to this problem since this time has been the steady acquisition of neighbouring properties.[9]

In 1986 the Council decided on a staged restructure of the School. Until then, Wadhurst, established as a preparatory school in 1886 and Grimwade House, opened in 1918, had operated as two parallel feeder schools taking students through to Year 8. Grimwade's boarding house had closed in the mid 1970s, leading to debate on the best use of the newly available space. It was decided to introduce girls at primary levels at Grimwade House, and today Grimwade House caters for girls and boys up to Year 6 and Wadhurst for boys in Years 7 and 8.[9]

The 1980s and 1990s were times of further growth, with the outdoor program expanded with three permanent campsites at Breakfast Creek near Licola, Woodend and Banksia Peninsula on the Gippsland Lakes.

On April 7 2008, as part of the celebrations of Melbourne Grammar's sesquicentenary, the School will officially open the multi-million dollar Nigel Peck Centre for Learning and Leadership on the Domain Road boundary.[9]

[edit] Headmasters

Witherby Tower flying the aboriginal flag for reconciliation week, 2006
Witherby Tower flying the aboriginal flag for reconciliation week, 2006
Period Details
1858 – 1875 John Edward Bromby
1875 – 1883 Edward Ellis Morris
1883 – 1885 Alexander Pyne
1885 – 1893 Ambrose John Wilson
1894 – 1898 Frederic Sergeant
1899 – 1914 George Ernest Blanch
1915 – 1936 Richard Penrose Franklin
1937 – 1938 David Stacey Colman
1938 – 1949 Joseph Richard Sutcliffe
1950 – 1970 Sir Brian William Hone
1970 – 1987 Nigel Arthur Holloway Creese
1988 – 1994 Anthony James De Villiers Hill
1995 – Present (Late 2008) Paul Sheahan

[edit] Crest and motto

Collectable School Cigarette card featuring the MGS colours & crest, c. 1910s
Collectable School Cigarette card featuring the MGS colours & crest, c. 1910s

The school motto, Ora et Labora, which may be translated from Latin to "Pray and Work", was chosen by the second Headmaster, Edward Morris in 1875.[1]

An old boy of England's Rugby School, Morris exemplified the way the principles of the English Public School system were adopted in Australia, including that education and religion should go hand-in-hand, as envisaged by Bishop Perry. The motto clearly reflects this.[1]

The school crest is comprised of a numer of elements. The Archbishop's mitre placed on top of the crest indicates the school's connection with the Church of England; the mitre in the shield is in memory of Charles Perry, the schools founder; the open book represents either the bible or 'Knowledge like an Open Book', while its large clasps show that the book is not to be opened with ease; the Fleur de Lys (lily) is a symbol of purity; and the Southern Cross is the emblem of Australia, and is also on the Victorian and Australian flag.[1]

[edit] Campuses

Aerial photo of Melbourne Grammar School and surrounds
Aerial photo of Melbourne Grammar School and surrounds

Melbourne Grammar School features seven campuses, three used for everyday schooling, one for sporting activities, and three for the schools outdoor education program:

  • Grimwade House - Caulfield (Co-ed; Prep to Year 6) Head: Mr. Andrew Boyd
  • Wadhurst - South Yarra (All male; Years 7-8) Head: Mr. Greg Caldwell
  • Senior School - South Yarra (All male; Years 9-12) Head: Mr. Peter Tooke
  • Edwin Flack Park - Port Melbourne (Sporting complex)
  • Camp Dowd - Gippsland Lakes (Camp)
  • Robert Knox Camp - Woodend (Camp; years 5-8)
  • L.G.Robertson Camp - Breakfast Creek, Licola (Camp; years 9-12)

[edit] House system

As with most Australian schools, Melbourne Grammar School utilises a house system. The school house system was established in 1914, as day boys had become used to dividing into suburban demographic groups for internal games.[9] Today the school house system differs between each school section.

[edit] Senior school (9-12)

Students of each house have their own house tie, which is striped according to house colour. The houses of the Senior School, are:

  • Bromby - Est. 1914 - Named after the school's first Headmaster Dr. John Bromby. House Colour: Black. Logo: Panther.
  • Bruce - Est. 1952 - Named after Stanley Bruce, Captain of the school and Prime Minister of Australia (1923–1929). House colour: Scarlet. Logo: Lion with 5-pointed star.
  • Creese - Est. 2005 - Named after an influential Headmaster of the school, Nigel Creese. House colour: Silver. Logo: Phoenix rising from the flames.
  • Deakin - Est. 1961 - Named after the second Prime Minister of Australia and school alumnus Alfred Deakin. House colour: Light Green and White. Logo: Crown with a knights arm holding an axe.
  • Hone - Est. 1979 - Named after Headmaster Sir Brian Hone. House colour: Old gold, or orange. Logo: Eagle.
  • Miller - Est. 1961 - Named after Edward Miller, a student of the school. House colour: Magenta. Logo: Gnome.
  • Morris - Est. 1914 - Named after Edward Morris, the school's second Headmaster and promoter for building the school's chapel. House colour: Maroon. Logo: Letter "M" with a dragon atop.
  • Perry - Est. 1940 - Named after Bishop Perry, the first bishop of Melbourne. Boarding House. House colour: Royal Blue and White. Logo: Bishop's mitre.
  • Ross - Est. 1914 - Named after the 'Ross brothers', former students of the school. House colour: Dark Green. Logo: Fist clenching a wreath.
  • Rusden - Est. 1914 - Named after George William Rusden, a well known Melbourne historian. House colour: Yellow. Logo: Wreath with letter "R".
  • School - Est. 1914 - Following the English tradition of naming their boarding house 'School House', which is situated next in the boarding precinct next to the Melbourne Grammar Senior School campus. House colour: Royal Blue. Logo: Flame.
  • Witherby - Est. 1914 - On a cold winter night in 1875, a very sick young man Hubert Witherby arrived unannounced at the door of Headmaster Edward Morris. Unfortunately hospitality could not save Hubert and he died three weeks later. His father Arthur Witherby donated a sum of money to the school in thanks of their efforts. This donation materialised as the Witherby Tower, a bluestone clock tower located at the senior campus, arguably the schools most notable feature after the (also bluestone) Chapel of St Peter. House colour: Light Blue. Logo: Tower.

[edit] Wadhurst (7&8)

  • Caffin (Gold) Motto "Lux Omnibus Fiat" (We Shine For All to See)
  • Cain (Light Blue)
  • Cuming (Dark Green) Motto "Mens Consci Recti" (Mind Conscious of Right)

[edit] Grimwade (Prep-6)

  • Austin (Royal Red)
  • Grey-Smith (Light Sea Blue)
  • Millear (Canary Yellow)
  • School (Dark Green)

[edit] Uniform

Melbourne Grammar School students and building, c. 1914
Melbourne Grammar School students and building, c. 1914

The wearing of the school uniform is compulsory and dress standards are enforced by both prefects and staff.

The navy blue blazer is the most notable feature of the school's uniform, the blazer must be worn in public places during the winter months. Years 3 to 8 wear light blue 'V-neck' shirts without ties in summer and join the year 9's and 10's permanent uniform of darker blue shirts with ties in winter. Years 11 and 12 wear white and blue striped long-sleeved shirts and ties all year round with the exception of the school prefects who wear plain white shirts with the special prefect tie.

Ties for years 3 to 8 are identical, plain navy blue. In Senior School ties are striped with the colour of a particular student's house, reflecting the emphasis placed on the house system. Year 12's wear similar ties but with the school logo breaking up house lines. Prefects have ties without any house denomination but with gold school logos.

It is compulsory for all students follow uniform regulations; this includes wearing the assigned summer or winter uniform. During the summer months shorts are to be worn and socks are to be pulled up. During the winter months navy blue trousers with black socks (Years 0-8) or grey socks (senior students, Years9-12) are to be worn. These items may also be accompanied by a navy blue V- neck jumper, black lace up school shoes, and during the summer months a hat is needed while participating in outdoor activities. There is also a required sporting uniform for all Melbourne Grammar School sports.

[edit] Curriculum

Senior Campus, 2006
Senior Campus, 2006

Melbourne Grammar offers its years 11 and 12 students the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), the main assessment program which ranks the students in the state.

In 2005, five Melbourne Grammar students achieved the maximum possible Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) of 99.95; only 32 students in Victoria achieved this ENTER.[10] In 2006, two Melbourne Grammar students achieved the maximum ENTER of 99.95, and three Melbourne Grammar students achieved an ENTER of 99.90. In 2007, three Melbourne Grammar students achieved the maximum ENTER of 99.95; again, only 32 students in Victoria achieved this ENTER.[11]

[edit] Co-curriculum

[edit] Debating

Melbourne Grammar has held inter-grammar school British Parliamentary Debating competitions, with schools from Victoria and New South Wales: Scotch College, Sydney Grammar, and Melbourne Grammar. Also, Melbourne Grammar enters about a tenth of its students into the Debating Association of Victoria's (DAV) Debating Competition, which is held at St. Kevins College throughout the year.

[edit] Music

Melbourne Grammar is noted for its Orchestra, the Melbourne Grammar School Symphony Orchestra (MGSSO). Conducted by Martin Rutherford, retiring at the end of 2008, the Orchestra tours internationally in December every year. In 2005 the Orchestra toured Malaysia and Singapore and in 2006 travelled to China, performing in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou. December 2007 saw the orchestra touring Dubai, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Venice. The orchestra is usually made up of around 100 students, the vast majority attendants of the school. However, a small number of girls are in the orchestra who attended the co-educational junior school, Grimwade House, or have a brother at the school. Currently there are around 10 female members. All campuses have their own choirs, concert bands and string orchestras. The Chapel Choir is the oldest of any Victorian private school. It sings at the weekly eucharists and consists of about 30 select members.

The MGSSO has accompanied international soloists such as Ronald Farren-Price, Leslie Howard and Neville Taweel, and has premièred works by Australian and British composers.[12]

[edit] Sport

[edit] Cordner-Eggleston Cup

Statue at the Melbourne Cricket Ground of Tom Wills umpiring the first recorded match of Australian rules football between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar
Statue at the Melbourne Cricket Ground of Tom Wills umpiring the first recorded match of Australian rules football between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar

The Cordner-Eggleston Cup is competed for each year by the first football teams of Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College. It commemorates the first recorded game of Australian Rules Football which was played between the two schools on the 7th August 1858 and was umpired by Tom Wills, one of the inventors of the code of Australian Football. The original game ran for three days and is also commemorated by a statue depicting the game outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

[edit] Tri-Grammar Series

Melbourne Grammar participates in the annual Tri-Grammar games, a series of cricket and rowing competitions between the Firsts teams of Melbourne Grammar School, Sydney Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School.

They are held at each school in rotation, with competing students being billeted out to the students of the host school against whom they will compete. It is customary when the rowing events are hosted by Melbourne Grammar that Sydney and Brisbane Grammars shall compete in the Head of the Yarra, an 8 kilometre river-race.

The cricketing rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney Grammars dates back to 1876 and is considered the oldest (in terms of cricket) in Australia. In 1976, to mark the centenary of this rivalry, a "Bat" was struck, with the winner of the annual match taking possession of this bat.

In the mid 90's, Brisbane Grammar was invited to play against both Melbourne and Sydney Grammars, giving rise to the 'Tri-Grammar Shield', won by the most successful school during the festival.

Melbourne Grammar currently holds both the "Bat" and the Shield, which they won for the third and second consecutive times respectively earlier this year.

[edit] Theatre

The 2007 Quad play at night under lights.
The 2007 Quad play at night under lights.

Melbourne Grammar also has a theatre department, especially within the Senior Campus, which produces four plays each school year. In Early March, "The Quad Play", most commonly a Shakespeare Play, but on occasion from other notable playwrights, is performed within the school's Quadrangle, and is open to students in years 9 to 12. The 2007 "Quad Play" was Christopher Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus". In 2008, the "Quad Play" will once again be a Shakespeare Play; "Othello".

This is followed in May by the relatively newly performed "Autumn Play", for year 9 students only, commonly a Greek Play, such as Oedipus.

The "School Play", performed usually in August, is often the centrepiece of the year's theatrical calendar. Recent performances include Tim Winton's "Cloudstreet" in 2006, and "On the Twentieth Century" in 2005. These two performances were the first to take advantage of the newly renovated and restored Memorial Hall, which features improved staging facilities and backstage areas. The "School Play" for 2007 was the musical "Guys and Dolls". The "School Play" for 2008 will be Arthur Miller's celebrated work on the Salem witch trials, "The Crucible".

The final performance for the year is the "Spring Production" which is open to years 9 and 10 students, and often alternates year on year between a light-hearted professional play, and an individual piece of work by a year 9-10 student, or group of students. It is usually held in late October, near the end of the school year. The 2004 Spring production "The Elisabeth Crown Affair", written by two year 10 boys was seen by the owner of a local theatre who subsequently bought the script. In 2007, the Spring Production will be "Our Country's Good", written by Timberlake Wertenbaker, and edited by a year 10 student.

All of these plays are performed by the students of Melbourne Grammar, in conjunction with students from Melbourne Girls Grammar School, whose campus is located nearby.

Staging is often designed by a contracted individual, with sets constructed jointly by staff and students, often both current and former. A train was constructed for "On the Twentieth Century" and an eight-metre diameter revolving circular stage constructed for "Cloudstreet".

[edit] Prefect System

In the running of the school, staff are assisted by a committee of Year 12 Prefects, selected by the Headmaster and Heads of House Committee annually. The role of a Prefect involves setting an example at all times in high standards of behaviour, manners and dress. Any student who disobeys orders given by a Prefect or member of staff is subject to the awarding of a Prefect's detention.

Prefects attend weekly meetings with the Headmaster, Deputy Headmaster, Director of Students and School Steward to discuss issues of interest or concern. The School Captain and Vice Captain additionally attend meetings on a weekly basis with the executive members of staff.

Prefects can be recognised by their wearing of the white shirt and Prefect tie. The Prefects are a central management committee in the organisation and running of the School's student body and their role is a very serious and respected one within the School.

[edit] Alumni

 This section does not cite any references or sources.
Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007)

Alumnus of Melbourne Grammar School are commonly referred to as Old Melburnians and may elect to join the schools' alumni association, the Old Melburnians' Society (OMS).[13] Some notable Old Melburnians include:

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d School Crest and Motto. History. Melbourne Grammar School. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  2. ^ a b c Melbourne Grammar School. Find a School. Association of Independent Schools of Victoria (2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  3. ^ Prospectus (PDF). Admissions. Melbourne Grammar School. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  4. ^ a b c Melbourne Grammar School. Schools - Victoria. Australian Boarding Schools Association. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  5. ^ Victoria. School Directory. Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  6. ^ JSHAA Victoria Directory of Members. Victoria Branch. Junior School Heads' Association of Australia (2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  7. ^ Walker, Frank. "The ties that bind", Sunday Life, The Sun-Herald, 2001-07-22, p. 16. Retrieved on 2007-09-12. 
  8. ^ History. About Us. Melbourne Grammar School. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l History of MGS. About Us. Melbourne Grammar School. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
  10. ^ Leung, Chee Chee. "Public school trio make mark on VCE results", The Age, 13 Dec 2005. 
  11. ^ Sheahan, Paul. "Outstanding VCE results", MGS, 17 Dec 2007. 
  12. ^ Martin Rutherford (2006). Martin Rutherford, Associate Composer, Australian Music Centre. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
  13. ^ Old Melburnians - Alumni. Grammar Community. Melbourne Grammar School. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Members of the Associated Public Schools of Victoria, Australia
Brighton Grammar • Carey Grammar • Caulfield Grammar • Geelong Grammar • Haileybury • Melbourne Grammar • Scotch • St. Kevin's • The Geelong College • Wesley • Xavier
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Grammar_School"
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