# 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.
Established on 26 April 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.
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.
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.
In 1961 Dorothy Whitehead left the headship of Ascham School to become the head of Firbank. She served until 1970 and during her time the students were allowed more freedom. She had previously taught with the Dalton Plan at Ascham. She replaced exams with tests and removed the streaming of students. New buildings were introduced for physical education and to increase the boarding facility.

## 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. 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.

### GSV premierships

Firbank has won the following GSV premierships.
* 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
* Jane Bunn – meteorologist, Seven News
* Deb Cox – screenwriter
* Judy-Joy Davies – Olympic swimmer and journalist
* Beverley Dunn – actress
* Moya Dyring – artist
* Mavis Freeman – bacteriologist and biochemist
* Chris Gallus – politician
* Jennifer Hansen – former co-presenter, Channel 10 News
* 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
* Ida Elizabeth Osbourne, MBE – founder of A.B.C. Radio's national Children's Session
* 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

## Notable staff

* Maud Cameron and Dorothy Whitehead