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Search the Jubilee History of Kew

The Schools and Colleges.

To enumerate all who have done their share towards educating the youth of Kew would indeed be a heavy task, but a few names of teachers in the early days may help to bring back memories of the past. Bonwick mentions a Mrs. Knight, who in 1852 had a school on the Park Reserve (Asylum Reserve), but all memory of her seems to have disappeared. A Mrs. Weldon had a school in the fifties on Prospect Hill. The Rev. Mr. Foy conducted a school a little later in the Baptist Chapel; then the Church of England school was opened about 1856, since merged into the state school. In later years, besides those of which fuller particulars are given, there were for boys, Mr. James Bonwick in Park Hill Road; Mr. Connebee, Clayland House Academy, conducted by Mr. John Waldock; Kew Grammar School, by Mr. W. G. Ratten, Mr. W. E. Stopford, and finally by Mr. John Slack. «97»

Girls' schools have been more numerous. Some of the principals were Miss Bickerton (Mrs. J. Gladstone), Mrs. Young, Mrs. Franklin, Mrs. and Miss Horton, "Ruyton" by Miss Bromby and Miss Lascelles, "Baldur" by Mrs. Tuxen, "Woodbury College" by Miss Harcourt and Miss Macey, Kindergarten School by Miss Westmoreland, schools by Miss Ferguson, Miss Dickson, Miss Duvall, &c.

KEW STATE SCHOOL, No. 1075. - This school is the result of the amalgamation of schools Nos. 346 and 356. The former school was established by the members of the Church of England in 1856, and carried on with the help of a government grant in a building built for the purpose on the Peel Street frontage of an allotment of land, extending from Walpole Street to Peel Street, given to the denomination by the original purchaser, Mr. N. A. Fenwick. The first teacher was Mrs. Jenvoy, who in 1860 was succeeded by a Mr. Murphy. About 1861 Mr. Samuel Stephens and his wife were appointed teachers, and carried on the school until the amalgamation in 1876. The school No. 356 was established about 1859 by members of the Independent Church, and carried on with the aid of a government grant in the building which formed the first Church of that denomination. The first head teacher was Mr. W. Johnson, who removed to a country school in 1862. He was succeeded by Mr. Loughrey, and by Mr. J. Gladstone on lst March, 1863. Under the latter's management the school rapidly increased and was brought under the Common Schools Act of 1862. It is interesting to note the average attendance at these two schools for the half-year ending June, 1864, viz. :-No. 346, 89; No. 356, 98. Mr. Gladstone's teaching attracted pupils from a wide district, a large number coming from Hawthorn, as at that time the nearest schools were that adjoining Christ Church and at Camberwell. About 1871, the building being too small for the demands made upon it, the committee determined to solicit subscriptions from the residents, and with the help of a government subsidy purchased a new site on the opposite side of Peel Street, and built the first «98»

portion of the present school. In 1873 the act providing free compulsory education was passed by parliament, the building was taken over by the Education Department, and the liability on it discharged. In June, 1873, the first Board of Advice, consisting of Messrs. Francis Barnard, David Beath, Herbert J. Henty, William Siddeley, and Henry J. Wrixon, was elected. The average attendance at the schools at that time was :-No. 346, 170; No, 356, 200. In 1875 the schools were amalgamated as No. 1075, Mr. Gladstone being retained as head teacher. Additions were made to the school from time to time, increasing the accommodation to about 500. In 1883, to the great regret of the parents of the pupils, Mr. Gladstone was appointed head master of the Central State School (Manningtree Road), Hawthorn, and Mr. T. A. Thompson was appointed to Kew. On his retirement in March, 1909, the present head teacher, Mr. Richard Rail, was appointed. He has a staff of fourteen assistants, and the average attendance has now reached 500. After many years of promising, the Education Department has just erected a new building with all the latest improvements for the lower classes, which is intended to be opened by His Excellency the Governor, Sir T. Gibson-Carmichael, on Jubilee Day, 8th December, 1910. In the interval since 1873 a large number of persons have acted as members of the Board of Advice, but all have found the duties so circumscribed that a very short time has sufficed to show them they could extend their energies better in other directions. The present Board consists of Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard (chair- man), B. Jenkins, T. Pinniger (correspondent), H. Sweetland and W. H. Woollard.

KEW HIGH SCHOOL.-In the early seventies some of the leading residents of Kew with growing sons induced Mr. Ernest Ingle, B.A., of Hobart, to come to Kew and open a first-class boys' school. This he did in February, 1872, in a private house in Cotham Road, which soon proved too small for the demands made upon it. He therefore secured larger premises in Charles Street, and added suitable school «99» rooms, and in the course of a few years had placed the school in a prominent position amongst its competitors. Unfortunately his career was cut short by a fatal attack of typhoid fever in May, 1875. The school, in June 1875, passed into the hands of Mr. J. Henning Thompson, M.A., then second master at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, under the late Rev. Dr. Bromby. Under Mr. Thompson's management the school speedily became a strong rival to the neighboring Hawthorn Grammar School, conducted by Mr. John Meeson, B.A., and afterwards by Professor Irving. Many pupils who have since made names for themselves in various professions owe their principal training to Kew High School. Among these may be mentioned Dr. W. Miller, Dr. H. A. Embling, Dr. N. Vance, Dr. A. Ratten, Dr. C. Alsop, Dr. A. Marwood, Dr. C. H. Mollison, Dr. F. H. Langlands, Dr. C. Player, Rev. Sydney Embling, Rev. Frank Anderson, Messrs. R. J. Barnard, MA., H. Nankivell, LLB., Elliot Lewis, B.Sc., R. L. Wingrove, LLB., W. St. G. Sproule, LL.M., Clarence Slade, LLM., B. Dunn, B.Sc., Reg. Lewis, G. Bell, and M. Boll, in addition to whom there are many others who have had successful and prominent business careers. In athletics it held its own on the river, and in the cricket and football fields, being head of the river for two years of the associate private schools, and winner of the cricket premiership. Among the prominent performers occur the names of Messrs. L. A. Smart, A. W. Barnard, Val. Thompson, E. O. Francis, H. A. Dodd, J. G. Thompson, G. Stewart, R. L. Wingrove, Austin Embling, Capt. Crespin, W. Milne, D. Bedggood, and Norman Harrison, as leaders in the various games. Some of its pupils afterwards became prominent as military officers; among these may be mentioned Lieut. C. Crespin, Capt. Wischer, Crespin, and Major Wilkinson. In 1908, Mr. Thompson, to the great regret of many old pupils, found himself constrained to retire from schoolwork, and the buildings have since been leased by Trinity Grammar School for its junior department. «100»

Off to the ”Kew Flyer“ Road Race; Officials and Competitors.

XAVIER COLLEGE. - This college was
founded in 1872 by the Jesuit Fathers, who, finding their original school, St. Patrick's College, East Melbourne, unsuitable for boarders, purchased from the original buyer, P. Mornane, Section 73 of the Parish of Boroondara, known to the early inhabitants of the district as Mornane's paddock, and erected buildings suited to their purpose at a cost of about £30,000. The situation is one of the highest in Kew, and the building is a prominent object from many parts of the metropolis. The foundation stone was laid on Sunday, 8th December, 1872, by the Right Reverend Dr. Goold, and after somewhat slow progress the building was opened and solemnly blessed on Sunday, 10th February, 1878. The first rector was Father Thomas Cahill, S.J., who by sound and patient work steadily built up the school, so that by 1888 the roll numbered one hundred and twenty-four boarders, in addition to whom about seventy day boys were attracted from the neighboring suburbs. In June, 1888, the demand for additional accommodation became so pressing that the western wing, a four-storied building, was added, being opened in February, 1889. In 1890 further additions, including the "Great Hall," a spacious assembly room 18 feet long, 48 feet wide, and 39 feet high, capable of seating over one thousand persons, were made. Further improvements have been made from time to time, so that the college now represents an expenditure of over £75,000 To meet the require-ments of the out-door exercises of the pupils there are two cricket grounds with the necessary adjuncts, a rifle range, tennis counts &c. The school was recently admitted as one of the six public schools of the state, and has its boats on the river, while its cadet corp, junior and senior, is about 170 strong. The football team won the Public Schools Championship for the season 1910. As evidence of the soundness of the scheme of instruction among the numerous students who have passed through the college will be found the names of many of the leading doctors, barristers, professional men, and politicians of the State. The «101» present management consists of the rector, Father O'Dwyer, S.J., and a staff of twenty-three teachers and assistants. The pupils roll contains two hundred and ten names. Altogether the institution is one of which the Catholic community has every right to be proud.

G. Strandgard & Co.’s Offices, Denmark Street.

METHODIST LADIES' COLLEGE. - The foundation stone of the Methodist Ladies' College was laid in 1882 by the Rev. George Daniel, President of the Methodist Conference. At that time the hill slope in Glenferrie Road was open ground, while the land on the Hawthorn side of Barker's Road was a barley field, and it showed great courage on the part of the Church authorities to begin to build a great and costly educational institution amid such surroundings. At first only the western half of the college was erected, but so great was the success of the institution that two years later the remainder of the main building, including the stately and beautiful tower, was erected. In two ears time a beautiful dining hall, 66 feet by 40 feet, was erected; this, with its panelled ceiling, its light-wood dado, and its triple fire places, is the most beautiful school dining hall in Australia. Again additions had to be made, in the shape of a 'fine swimming bath, with studio and class rooms in the upper storey. The latest addition to the college has been a Domestic Arts Department, consisting of a model kitchen, model laundry, and lecture hall. Dr. W. H. Fitchett was appointed President and Principal of the college on its foundation, and still holds the position. The first headmaster was Mr. Frank Wheen, B.A.; he was followed by Mr. R. Corr, M.A.; the present headmaster is Mr. O. Krome, B.A., formerly of University Hi h School. The college has had a. very successful history, attracting pupils from all the Australian States, as well as New Zealand and Fiji, having under its roof more resident girl students than any other institution in Australia. Some £40,000 has been expended in buildings and equipment. Though created and governed by a Church, it is quite undenominational in its atmosphere and administration, for all «102» Churches are represented on its staff and amongst its students.

"GENAZZANO" CONVENT OF THE FAITHFUL COMPANIONS OF JESUS.- This establishment was opened in 1889, being conducted for two years in "Range View," Mt. Victor Road, while the present convent was in process of erection. The building, which is situated on the highest land in Kew, is one of the largest edifices for religious education in Victoria. Its architecture is strictly Gothic, but due regard was paid to the exigencies of a warm climate, and large, lofty rooms, long corridors, and spacious halls afford grateful coolness on the hottest summer days. The foundation stone was laid by His Excellency the Earl of Hopetoun on 9th March, 1890, in the presence of His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne and a large number of distinguished visitors. The convent is surrounded by twenty acres of land, partly laid out in pleasure grounds and tennis courts, and partly utilised for farming purposes. The school has a wide influence, boarders coming from many parts of the Commonwealth. The nuns belong to an order of French origin; their educational system adapts itself to different countries and to all classes of society. They are represented by flourishing establishments in England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, United States, and Canada, where they conduct teachers' training colleges, secondary and primary schools, evening classes, orphanages, and various girls' societies. As the order possesses members of many different nationalities, the nuns have always been able to make a speciality of teaching foreign languages. The first Victorian house of the order was opened in Richmond in 1882. There is also a branch house at Benalla.

TRINITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL. - This school was founded in 1903 by Archdeacon Hindle and a number of parishioners of Holy Trinity Church for the purpose of providing an efficient day school for their sons, under the control of the Church. It was at first carried on in the Parish Hall, but its «##» growth was so rapid that in 1906 it became necessary to provide larger premises, consequently "Roxeth," at the corner of Charles and Wellington Streets, with some four acres of land, formerly the home of Mr. Herbert J. Henty, was secured. It was also decided to enlarge the scope of the school and make it the Church of England school for the eastern suburbs. Buildings ot the latest type were erect; for schoolrooms, to which additions had to be made the following year. Later a fine brick science laboratory was presented by friends of the school, the total outlay representing some £7000. School buildings formerly known as the Kew High, almost adjoining, have since been taken over for use as a junior school and boarding house, and the school roll now numbers 250 names. An excellent cricket and football ground has been made, also tennis courts and a miniature rifle range, so that the bodily welfare of the pupils is not neglected. The school has been incorporated as an association from which no profit can be taken, any surplus being expended on the needs of the school. It is governed by a council elected partly by the founders and life, governors and partly by the Diocesan Board of Education. The present members are :-President, Mr. J. K. Merritt; Vice-Presidents Messrs. W. J. Roberts and J. T. Collins, M.A., LL.M.; Members, Ven. Archdeacon Hindley, Canon Sutton, Rev. H. F. Mercer, M.A., Colonel Burston, Drs H. O. Cowen and E. M. Inglis, Messrs. G. Arnold, A. O. Henty, and John Payne. The headmaster, Rev. Canon Long, M.A., has occupied that position for the last six years, and there is an efficient staff of nine trained teachers.

The East Kew State School, No. 3161, was for some years carried on near the Glass Creek pound under Mr. Roland Gray, and gained a good repute-tion for effectiveness. In its present position, under Mr. J. McRae, now of the Training College staff, and Mr. D. McLennan, that character has been well maintained. «103»

 

The Jubliee History of Kew - F.G.A. Barnard