Ascham School

For the English preparatory school at Eastbourne, see Ascham St Vincent's School.

Ascham School
Ascham's Edgecliff campus, in 2007
Address
188 New South Head Road Edgecliff , New South Wales , 2027 Australia
Coordinates	33°52′43″S151°14′12″E / 33.87861°S 151.23667°E / -33.87861; 151.23667
Information
Type	Independent, day and boarding
Motto	Latin: Vi Et Animo (With Heart and Soul)
Established	1886;138 years ago (1886)
Headmaster	Andrew Powell
Teaching staff	127.1 FTE (2019) [1]
Years	K–12
Gender	Girls
Enrolment	1,181 [1]  (2019)
Campus type	Urban area
Colour(s)	Navy blue, red and khaki
Affiliations	Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia Junior School Heads Association of Australia Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia Australian Boarding Schools' Association Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools
Website	ascham.nsw.edu.au

Ascham School is an independent, non-denominational, day and boarding school for girls, located in Edgecliff, an Eastern Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Established in 1886, the school has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently has approximately 1000 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, including 100 boarders from Years 6 to 12. ^[2]

Ascham follows the 'Dalton Plan', an educational philosophy created by Helen Parkhurst in 1916. The 'Dalton Plan' aims to produce independent and confident leaders. ^[3]

Ascham is a member of the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia (AGSA), ^[4] the Junior School Heads Association of Australia ^[5] the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), ^[6] the Australian Boarding Schools' Association, ^[7] and the Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools (AHIGS). ^[8]

Ascham is operated as a not-for-profit company. All funds must be used to benefit the school. This function is administered by the school's Council of Governors who are elected by the school's members.

History

Ascham school was established in 1886 by Marie Wallis, as a private, day and boarding school for girls, in a terrace house in Darling Point. The school moved to its current site following the acquisition of Glenrock estate in 1911. The school was named after Roger Ascham, tutor to Queen Elizabeth I.

In 1914 Kathleen Gilman Jones (1880–1942) came from South Africa to be a joint head mistress at the school. She went on to lead Melbourne Church of England Girls' Grammar School. ^[9]

The school adopted the 'Dalton Plan' as its method of teaching in 1922.

Ascham became a company, Ascham School Limited, in 1937 under the direction of Headmistress Margaret Bailey. This transferred ownership of the school from herself to ensure the long-term succession of the school. ^[10]

School crest

The Ascham school crest was developed in 1911 by Ascham art teacher, Albert Collins. Symbols on the crest were explained in the school's Charivari magazine in December 1911: the dolphins symbolise energy, persistence and the ability to swim against, as well as with, the tide; the wings suggest aspiration and ambition; the lamp and book represent learning; and the combination of the acorn and eucalyptus seed mark the historical union of Britain and Australia. ^[11]

Campus

Ascham is composed of three school areas designed to accommodate for the different stages of the students' educational development.

Infant School

The youngest students, from Preparatory to Year 2, are taught in the Hillingdon building which has its own hall, library, classrooms and recreation area. The students at Hillingdon are taught according to the Spalding Method.

Junior School

Students from Years 3 to 6 live in the Fiona building. Junior School students have access to a broad range of school subjects and co-curricular activities.

Senior School

The senior school is for students from Year 7 to Year 12. They are taught according to the Dalton Plan. This method gives the older students increased flexibility while placing on them the responsibility to learn and participate in the school's numerous academic and cultural opportunities. The campus hosts the Packer Theatre, a studio theatre, an indoor heated pool, a gymnasium, tennis courts, playing fields, IT facilities, art rooms, science laboratories and three libraries.

Exchange programme

Ascham has exchange programmes with the following girls schools: St Mary's Calne, UK; City of London School for Girls in London; Havergal College in Toronto; Nightingale-Bamford School in New York; Northlands School in Buenos Aires; Durban Girls' College in Durban; Institut de la Tour in Paris, St. George's School, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Heads

The following individuals have served as Head of School, or preceding title:

Ordinal	Name	Title	Start date	End date	Time in office	Notes
1	Marie Wallis	Founding Principal	1886	1902	15–16 years	[8]
2	Herbert J. Carter	Principal	1902	1914	11–12 years	[8]
3	Kathleen Gilman Jones	Co-Principal	1914	1916	1–2 years
3	Margaret Bailey
−		Headmistress	1916	1946	29–30 years	[8]
4	Hilda Rayward	Headmistress	1947	1948	0–1 years	[8]
5	Dorothy Whitehead	Headmistress	1949	1961	11–12 years	[12] [8]
6	Merrilee Roberts	Headmistress	1962	1972	9–10 years	[12] [8]
7	Rowena Danziger	Headmistress	1973	2003	29–30 years	[13] [8]
8	Susan Preedy	Headmistress	2004	2005	0–1 years	[14] [8]
−	Rowena Danziger	Acting Headmistress	2005	2005	0 years	[15]
−	Frances Booth	Acting Headmistress	2005	2005	0 years	[8]
9	Louise Robert-Smith	Headmistress	2006	2012	5–6 years	[16] [8]
10	Helen Wright	Headmistress	2013	2014	0–1 years	[17] [8]
11	Andrew Powell	Head of School	2014	incumbent	9–10 years	[17] [8]

Former students

Old Girls' Union

The Ascham Old Girls' Union (AOGU) was founded in 1899 by former students of the school. It now^{[ when? ]} has a membership of over 4,000 alumnae. The AOGU encourages involvement of all past students in the Ascham community and helps alumnae remain in contact with their classmates. ^[18] The AOGU also funds bursaries for the daughters and granddaughters of past students. The recipients of bursaries are means-tested and reviewed annually, and also carry an obligation to uphold the ideals and values of Ascham. ^[18] The AOGU released^{[ when? ]} three publications per year to its members. ^[18]

Notable alumnae

See also: Category:People educated at Ascham School

Arts

Creative arts

• Beatrice Bligh (1916–1973), a gardener ^[19]
• Penny Meagher (1935–1995), a painter

Literary arts

• Marguerite Dale (1883–1963), a playwright and feminist ^[20]
• Mia Freedman (1971– ), a journalist ^[21]
• Sheridan Jobbins (1960– ), a journalist, presenter and screenwriter ^{[22] [23]}
• Jill Kitson (1939–2013), a literary journalist and broadcaster ^[24]
• Sharri Markson (1984– ), a journalist ^{[25] : 9}
• Saturday Rosenberg (1952–1998), screenwriter and comedian ^{[26] [23]}
• Debbie Whitmont, a journalist ^{[25] : 6}

Performing arts

• Sylvia Breamer (1897–1943), an actress ^[27]
• Marta Dusseldorp (1973– ), an actress ^[23]
• Joanna McCallum (1950– ), an actress ^[23]
• Poppy Montgomery (1972– ), an actress
• Lesley Piddington (1925–2016)^{[ citation needed ]}
• Wendy Playfair (1926– ), an actress ^[28]
• Lynn Rainbow AM (1942– ), an actress ^[23]
• Ann Richards (1917–2006), an actress and author ^[29]
• Leila Waddell (1880–1932), a violinist and magician ^{[30] [ failed verification ]}
• Arkie Whiteley (1964–2001), an actress ^[23]
• Betty Who (1991– ), a singer and songwriter^{[ citation needed ]}
• Constance Worth (1911–1963), an actress ^{[31] [32]}

Business

• Belinda Hutchinson AC , FRSN (1953– ), a businessperson and philanthropist ^[33]
• Lisa Messenger (1971– ), an entrepreneur and author
• Gretel Packer AM (c. 1965– ), an investor and philanthropist ^[33]
• Lady Primrose Potter AC (1931– ), a philanthropist^{[ citation needed ]}
• Allegra Spender (1978– ), a businessperson and politician
• Shemara Wikramanayake (1962– ), a businessperson ^[34]

Education

• Joan Bernard (1918–2012), the founding principal of Trevelyan College, University of Durham ^[35]

Medicine and the sciences

• Ann Parker ^[33]
• Nan Waddy AC , MBE (1915–2015), a psychiatrist and mental health advocate ^[36]

Sport

• Nikki Bishop (1973– ), an equestrian event rider who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics ^[37]
• Gillian Campbell (1960– ), a rower who competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics ^[37]
• Paige Campbell (1996– ), a steeplechase athlete ^[38]
• Lavinia Chrystal (1989– ), a skier who competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics ^[37]
• Christine Davy MBE (1934– ), a skier who competed at the 1956 and 1960 Winter Olympics ^[37]
• Kitty Mackay Hodgson (1915–1974), a swimmer who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics ^[37]
• Vicki Rose Roycroft (1953– ), an equestrian rider who competed at the 1984, 1988, and 1996 Summer Olympics ^[37]

See also

• List of non-government schools in New South Wales
• List of boarding schools

References

1. "Ascham School, Edgecliff, NSW: School profile". My School. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
2. "School Choice – Australia Choosing a School". Archived from the original on 30 August 2007.
3. "A Dalton Education".
4. "The Alliance of Girls Schools Australia - Member Schools". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2007.
5. "Junior Schools Heads Association of Australia: JSHAA New South Wales Directory of Members". Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
6. "Association of Heads of Independent Schools of aus : NSW". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
7. "Australian Boarding Staff Association Inc". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
8. "Association of Heads of Independent Girls Schools (AHIGS)". AHIGS. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007.
9. Mitchell, L. M. M., "Kathleen Annie Gilman Jones (1880–1942)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 4 November 2023
10. "Home". Ascham School. n.d.^{[ self-published source? ]}
11. "The Ascham Tradition". Ascham School. n.d.^{[ self-published source? ]}
12. "D-day for Ascham's head". 9 May 2002. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
13. "Off with their head". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 April 2005. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
14. "Grande dame of Ascham back as headmistress resigns". Sydney Morning Herald. 24 February 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
15. "Ascham without a headmistress again as Danziger bows out". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 March 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
16. "Ascham lures headmistress with shining record on results". Sydney Morning Herald. 29 August 2005.
17. "Ascham headmistress Helen Wright leaves school after a year". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 January 2014.
18. "Ascham Old Girls' Union".
19. Rutledge, Martha (1993). "Rosemary Beatrice (Bea) Bligh (1916–1973)". Australian Dictionary of Biography . Vol. 13. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN   1833-7538 . Retrieved 31 March 2024.
20. Tate, Audrey (1993). Australian Dictionary of Biography (Volume 13 ed.). Melbourne University Press. ISBN   0522845126 . Retrieved 1 July 2020.
21. Keenan, Catherine. "Being Mia". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
22. Taffel, Jacqui. "Bursting with Joy: a treasure trove of stories from a life well lived". Wentworth Courier . Retrieved 1 July 2020.
23. Gillezeau, Marguerite. "Drama in the early years" (PDF). Ascham Old Girls' Magazine (Summer 2015). Retrieved 1 July 2020.
24. "A genuine passion for truth and humour". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
25. "Q&A with Ascham Old Girl journalists" (PDF). Ascham Old Girls' Magazine. Summer 2018 (Summer 2018). Retrieved 1 July 2020.
26. Taffel, Jacqui. "Bursting with Joy: a treasure trove of stories from a life well lived". Wentworth Courier. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
27. Rees, Anne. "Breamer, Sylvia Poppy (1897–1943)". People Australia. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
28. Simpson, Caroline Fairfax; Dupree, Annette Fielding-Jones; Ferguson, Betty Winn (1986), Ascham remembered, 1886–1986, Fine Arts Press, ISBN   978-0-86917-013-7
29. Scheuer, P. K. (17 June 1945). "Actress of 'down under' studio makes good here". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest   165628126.
30. "Waddell, Leila Ida (1880–1932)". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2020– via Obituaries Australia.
31. Sydney Morning Herald, 27 June 1934
32. Ramsaye, Terry, ed. (1948). 1948–1948 International Film Almanac. California, USA: Quigley Publications. p. 416.
33. "Queen's Birthday Honours for three impressive Old Girls". Ascham Old Girls Union. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
34. Flood, Chris (4 December 2017). "Shemara Wikramanayake has 'never sold a Macquarie share in 30 years'". Australian Financial Review . Retrieved 26 July 2018.
35. "FRENCH EXAMINATIONS". The Sydney Morning Herald . 1 August 1932. Retrieved 1 July 2020– via Trove, National Library of Australia.
36. "Psychiatrist Nan Waddy fought for humane treatment of mentally ill". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
37. Gillezeau, Marguerite. "A history of sport at Ascham" (PDF). Ascham Old Girls' Magazine. Winter 2017 (Winter 2017): 15. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
38. Barry, Skye. "The Two of Us—Holly and Paige Campbell (2014)" (PDF). Ascham Old Girls' Magazine. Winter 2017 (Winter 2017): 5–7. Retrieved 1 July 2020.

Further reading

• Simpson, Caroline Fairfax; Dupree, Annette Fielding-Jones; Ferguson, Betty Winn, eds. (1986). Ascham Remembered 1886–1986. Sydney: Fine Arts Press. ISBN   0-86917-013-9.

External links

• Official website