Meriden, Strathfield
Encyclopedia
Meriden, An Anglican School for Girls is an independent
, Anglican
, day school
for girls, located in Strathfield
, an inner-western
suburb of Sydney, New South Wales
, Australia
.
Founded in 1897 by Mrs Jane Monckton, the school
has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 850 students from Pre-Kindergarten
to Year 12.
Meriden is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools
(AHIGS), the Alliance of Girls Schools Australia, the Junior School Heads Association of Australia
(JSHAA), and the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA).
, which included English
, French
, Latin
, Mathematics
, Australian History
, Music
, Needlework
and Dancing.
In 1907, Meriden moved to Woodward Avenue, where it was sold to Bertha Turner in 1908. Turner continued at Woodward avenue until larger premises could be found near Santa Sabina College
on the Boulevarde, moving again soon after to its current location in the original Redmire Estate, on Redmyre Road. The school expanded in 1914 with the purchase two properties, The Briars, located adjacent to Meriden, and the original site at Redmyre Road.
In 1918, following the 1916 changes to Department of Education requirements, Turner approached the Sydney Church of England Girls' Grammar School (S.C.E.G.G.S) in Darlinghurst
with the concept of amalgamation. Further negotiations were however prevented due to financial commitments, and the S.C.E.G.G.S council suggested that a group of local church people might be interested. The first school uniform
and the school logo were introduced in 1921, and in 1922 the Meriden flag was presented by the Old Girls' Union.
As Turner's health deteriorated, there was a suspicion that the school might close, and subsequently a group of local people met to discuss the future of Meriden. It was agreed that a Council should manage the school, and debentures were sold in order to obtain the necessary finance. The original home, Wariora, of which was owned by Turner, was not included in this transfer but remained her property. On her death, Wariora was transferred to her brother, who sold it on to the gardener and his wife, who in turn ran it as a boarding house
. This property was eventually purchased by Meriden.
After Turner's death, Grace Overy was appointed by the Council as the new Headmistress. In 1927, sports practice was carried out at the cow pastures in the grounds of a ruined mansion named Milroy in Broughton Road, Strathfield. The end of this decade saw a growing and profitable school.
In 1942, Meriden temporarily became the home of two schools as the Presbyterian Ladies' College
(P.L.C), from the nearby suburb of Croydon
, was occupied by the Royal Australian Air Force
for the purpose of establishing a top secret Radar Unit
. Meriden offered to accommodate the P.L.C boarders and the school's singing
, domestic science, and physical education
classes. In spite of the apparent happy relationship between the two schools, the P.L.C Principal, recommended that further integration between the two school's should not proceed, and thus at the end of 1942, Meriden indicated that they could no longer house the P.L.C boarders.
In 1979, as with numerous other schools at the time, Meriden closed its boarding facility due to a steady decline in enrolments.
was designed by the school's art teacher, Mr Albert Collins, in 1921. The crest features Meriden's motto
of Semper Fidelis
(translated from Latin
as "always faithful"), together with a representation of the lilies of Parnassus. In ancient Greece
, Mount Parnassus
was regarded as the mountain sacred to the muses and the centre of the earth. The muses were said to preside over the realm of learning, with each having a special province, such as poetry
, science
or history
.
:
Each year, the students are to vote for their new captain (Year 11 student). Supporting their house captain are the positions of sports captain, arts captain and service captain.
Through the house system, students participate in inter-house sporting and non-sporting competitions in order to gain points for their house. The house with the most points at the end of the school years is awarded the Wallis Cup.
Academic
Business
Entertainment, media and the arts
Medicine and science
Sport
' is Trinity Grammar School at Summer Hill
, an Anglican
Day and Boarding School for Boys.
Every year, Meriden hosts an "Interact Dance". Participating schools are often Santa Sabina College
, MLC School
, Presbyterian Ladies College Sydney, Trinity Grammar School at Summer Hill
, Newington College
and St Patrick's College, Strathfield
.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
, Anglican
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
, day school
Day school
A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...
for girls, located in Strathfield
Strathfield, New South Wales
Strathfield is an Inner West suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Strathfield is located 14 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of the Municipality of Strathfield...
, an inner-western
Inner West (Sydney)
The Inner West is a general term which is used to describe the metropolitan area directly to the west of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia...
suburb of Sydney, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Founded in 1897 by Mrs Jane Monckton, the school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 850 students from Pre-Kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
to Year 12.
Meriden is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools
Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools
The Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools , is an association for private girls' schools, based in North Ryde, in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
(AHIGS), the Alliance of Girls Schools Australia, the Junior School Heads Association of Australia
Junior School Heads Association of Australia
The Independent Primary School Heads of Australia formerly Junior School Heads Association of Australia , is an incorporated body representing the heads of independent primary schools in Australia....
(JSHAA), and the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA).
History
Meriden was founded by Jane (Jeannie) Monckton in 1897, at Agnes Street, Strathfield. Monckton had decided to home school her two sons due to a lack of suitable educational facilities for boys in the Strathfield area. Friends and neighbours clamoured to have their children join the two boys under her instruction, and so it was decided to establish Meriden, a school with approximately 19 students and two staff to assist. Boarding facilities were available and fees for tuition were from 1 ½ guineas ($3.15) to 2 guineas per quarter for the regular curriculumCurriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
, which included English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, Australian History
History of Australia
The History of Australia refers to the history of the area and people of Commonwealth of Australia and its preceding Indigenous and colonial societies. Aboriginal Australians are believed to have first arrived on the Australian mainland by boat from the Indonesian archipelago between 40,000 to...
, Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, Needlework
Needlework
Needlework is a broad term for the handicrafts of decorative sewing and textile arts. Anything that uses a needle for construction can be called needlework...
and Dancing.
Santa Sabina College
Santa Sabina College, is a Roman Catholic, Dominican, day school for girls K-12 and boys K-4, located in Strathfield, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
on the Boulevarde, moving again soon after to its current location in the original Redmire Estate, on Redmyre Road. The school expanded in 1914 with the purchase two properties, The Briars, located adjacent to Meriden, and the original site at Redmyre Road.
In 1918, following the 1916 changes to Department of Education requirements, Turner approached the Sydney Church of England Girls' Grammar School (S.C.E.G.G.S) in Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst, New South Wales
Darlinghurst is an inner-city, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Darlinghurst is located immediately east of the Sydney central business district and Hyde Park, within the local government area of the City of Sydney...
with the concept of amalgamation. Further negotiations were however prevented due to financial commitments, and the S.C.E.G.G.S council suggested that a group of local church people might be interested. The first school uniform
School uniform
A school uniform is an outfit—a set of standardized clothes—worn primarily for an educational institution. They are common in primary and secondary schools in various countries . When used, they form the basis of a school's dress code.Traditionally school uniforms have been largely subdued and...
and the school logo were introduced in 1921, and in 1922 the Meriden flag was presented by the Old Girls' Union.
As Turner's health deteriorated, there was a suspicion that the school might close, and subsequently a group of local people met to discuss the future of Meriden. It was agreed that a Council should manage the school, and debentures were sold in order to obtain the necessary finance. The original home, Wariora, of which was owned by Turner, was not included in this transfer but remained her property. On her death, Wariora was transferred to her brother, who sold it on to the gardener and his wife, who in turn ran it as a boarding house
Boarding house
A boarding house, is a house in which lodgers rent one or more rooms for one or more nights, and sometimes for extended periods of weeks, months and years. The common parts of the house are maintained, and some services, such as laundry and cleaning, may be supplied. They normally provide "bed...
. This property was eventually purchased by Meriden.
In 1942, Meriden temporarily became the home of two schools as the Presbyterian Ladies' College
Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney
The Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for girls in Croydon, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, Australia...
(P.L.C), from the nearby suburb of Croydon
Croydon, New South Wales
Croydon is an affluent suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Croydon is located 11 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district. Croydon is split between the two local government areas of Burwood Council and the Municipality of Ashfield.The...
, was occupied by the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
for the purpose of establishing a top secret Radar Unit
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
. Meriden offered to accommodate the P.L.C boarders and the school's singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, domestic science, and physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
classes. In spite of the apparent happy relationship between the two schools, the P.L.C Principal, recommended that further integration between the two school's should not proceed, and thus at the end of 1942, Meriden indicated that they could no longer house the P.L.C boarders.
In 1979, as with numerous other schools at the time, Meriden closed its boarding facility due to a steady decline in enrolments.
Principals
| Period | Details |
|---|---|
| 1897 – 1908 | Mrs Jeannie Monckton, Founder |
| 1908 – 1925 | Miss Bertha Turner |
| 1926 – 1940 | Miss Grace Overy |
| 1941 – 1957 | Miss Elsie Hannam |
| 1958 | Acting Principal – Miss Eleanor Colborn |
| 1959 – 1961 | Miss Evelyn James |
| 1961 – 1965 | Miss Joy Fox |
| 1966 – 1984 | Miss Sheila Morton |
| 1985 – 2002 | Mrs Denise Thomas |
| 2003 – 2006 | Mrs Carolyn Blanden |
| 2006 | Acting Principal – Mrs Denise Thomas |
| 2007 – Present | Dr Julie Greenhalgh |
School crest
Meriden's crestCrest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
was designed by the school's art teacher, Mr Albert Collins, in 1921. The crest features Meriden's motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
of Semper Fidelis
Semper fidelis
Semper Fidelis is Latin for "Always Faithful" or "Always Loyal". Well known in the United States as the motto of the United States Marine Corps , Semper Fidelis has served as a slogan for many families and entities, in many countries, dated to have been started no later than the 16th century...
(translated from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
as "always faithful"), together with a representation of the lilies of Parnassus. In ancient Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Mount Parnassus
Mount Parnassus
Mount Parnassus, also Parnassos , is a mountain of limestone in central Greece that towers above Delphi, north of the Gulf of Corinth, and offers scenic views of the surrounding olive groves and countryside. According to Greek mythology, this mountain was sacred to Apollo and the Corycian nymphs,...
was regarded as the mountain sacred to the muses and the centre of the earth. The muses were said to preside over the realm of learning, with each having a special province, such as poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
or history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
.
House system
Meriden school currently has four housesHouse system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
:
- Warwick (Yellow)
- Cumberland (Blue)
- Kent (Green)
- Sussex (Red)
Each year, the students are to vote for their new captain (Year 11 student). Supporting their house captain are the positions of sports captain, arts captain and service captain.
Through the house system, students participate in inter-house sporting and non-sporting competitions in order to gain points for their house. The house with the most points at the end of the school years is awarded the Wallis Cup.
Notable alumnae
Public Service- Elizabeth BroderickSex Discrimination CommissionerThe Sex Discrimination Commissioner is an Australian federal government position established to oversee the operation of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. The position was created alongside the Act as one of the specialist commissioners of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission...
– Sex Discrimination Commissioner and former partner and head of legal technology at Blake Dawson Waldron
Academic
- Silma IhramSilma IhramSilma Ihram is an Australian pioneer of Muslim education in the West, founder and former school Principal of the 'Noor Al Houda Islamic College' in Sydney, and a campaigner for racial tolerance....
– Muslim Advocate, Founder of the Noor Al Houda Islamic College (also attended Presbyterian Ladies' CollegePresbyterian Ladies' College, SydneyThe Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for girls in Croydon, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, Australia...
)
Business
- Julia Marion King (née Moufarrige) – Director of Opera AustraliaOpera AustraliaOpera Australia is the principal opera company in Australia. Based in Sydney, its performance season at the Sydney Opera House runs for approximately eight months of the year, with the remainder of its time spent in the The Arts Centre in Melbourne...
; Current Director of Servcorp LtdServcorpServcorp Limited is a Public Company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange who provide serviced office and virtual office products to markets in Australia, New Zealand, China, South East Asia, Japan, Europe, The United States and the Middle East....
, Fairfax MediaFairfax MediaFairfax Media Limited is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies. The group's operations include newspapers, magazines, radios and digital media operating in Australia and New Zealand. Fairfax Media was founded by the Fairfax family as John Fairfax and Sons, later to become John...
, and Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd; Former Chief Executive of Louis VuittonLouis VuittonLouis Vuitton Malletier – commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton , or shortened to LV – is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes,...
Australia, Executive Chair of Retail Cube, Country RoadCountry RoadCountry Road is an upscale store located in Australia and New Zealand clothing retailer, with 68 free standing stores and 77 department store concessions. It is traded on the Australian Stock Exchange, with South African company Woolworths Holdings Limited owning 88%...
Clothing, Australian National RailwaysAustralian National Railways CommissionThe Australian National Railways Commission was a government owned railway operator in Australia. ANRC was also known as Australian National Railways in its early years and was later rebranded as Australian National .-History:...
etc. (also attended SCEGGS Darlinghurst)
Entertainment, media and the arts
- Desmonde Florence Downing – Stage designer
- Kellie HoggartKellie HoggartKellie Lynn Crawford, née Hoggart is an Australian singer, actress and children's performer. Crawford is most known for her involvement in Children's program Hi-5 and as a former member of pop group Teen Queens. She left Hi-5 in December 2008 after ten years with the group.- Career :Crawford was...
– Member of Australia's Hi-5 group - Chrissie Rose – Former co-host of television program Girl TVGirl TVGirl TV was a weekday afternoon television program, primarily aimed at teenage girls, that was broadcast by the Australian Seven Network between 2003 and 2004. The series was cancelled due to low ratings and lasted two seasons.-Content:...
(also attended Presbyterian Ladies' CollegePresbyterian Ladies' College, SydneyThe Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for girls in Croydon, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, Australia...
, MLC SchoolMLC SchoolMLC School is an independent day school for girls, located in Burwood, Sydney. Founded in 1886, MLC admits students from pre-kinder age through to Year 12, and is a Uniting Church of Australia school.- History :...
and Reddam HouseReddam HouseReddam House is an independent, co-educational, non-denominational, day school, located in Woollahra and Bondi , both Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
) - Nadia WheatleyNadia WheatleyNadia Wheatley is an award winning Australian writer of children’s fiction and non-fiction, adult non-fiction and biographies, and newspaper and journal articles. Her works often focus on "the difficulties faced by Aborigines or non-English-speaking newcomers to Australia, ... environmental issues...
– Writer - Sarah MonahanSarah MonahanSarah Monahan is an Australian actress. Best known for her role as Jenny on Hey Dad..!, she has also appeared in Sons and Daughters and Home and Away....
- actress on Hey Dad..!Hey Dad..!Hey Dad..! was an Australian sitcom produced by Gary Reilly Productions, originally airing from 1987 to 1994 on the Seven Network.-Synopsis:Architect Martin Kelly singlehandedly raises his children Simon, Debbie and Jenny... - Natalie Tran- Community Channel
Medicine and science
- John Nelson Sevier – PhysicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
(also attended Sydney Church of England Grammar SchoolSydney Church of England Grammar SchoolSydney Church of England Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school for boys, located in North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
)
Sport
- Danielle LeRayDanielle LeRayDanielle Le Ray is a Australian gymnast. She started gymnastics in 1989 at the age of 6. She represented Australia as an Olympic competitor at the Sydney Olympics in rhythmic gymnastics in 2000 and in the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998....
– Olympic Rhythmic Gymnast- Sydney 2000 - Naazmi JohnstonNaazmi Johnston'Naazmi Johnston is an Australian rhythmic gymnast that represented Australia at the 2008 Summer Olympics as well as the 2006 Commonwealth Games.-Career:...
– Olympic Rhythmic Gymnast- Beijing 2008 and Commonwealth Games Gymnast- 2010 (2 time gold medalist)
Associated schools
Meriden's 'brother schoolSister school
The term sister school has several meanings:*a definite financial commerce between two colleges or universities*two schools that have a strong historical connection...
' is Trinity Grammar School at Summer Hill
Summer Hill, New South Wales
Summer Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Summer Hill is located 8 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Ashfield....
, an Anglican
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
Day and Boarding School for Boys.
Every year, Meriden hosts an "Interact Dance". Participating schools are often Santa Sabina College
Santa Sabina College
Santa Sabina College, is a Roman Catholic, Dominican, day school for girls K-12 and boys K-4, located in Strathfield, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
, MLC School
MLC School
MLC School is an independent day school for girls, located in Burwood, Sydney. Founded in 1886, MLC admits students from pre-kinder age through to Year 12, and is a Uniting Church of Australia school.- History :...
, Presbyterian Ladies College Sydney, Trinity Grammar School at Summer Hill
Summer Hill, New South Wales
Summer Hill is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Summer Hill is located 8 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Ashfield....
, Newington College
Newington College
Newington College is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Stanmore, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
and St Patrick's College, Strathfield
St Patrick's College, Strathfield
St Patrick's College is an independent, Roman Catholic, day school for boys, located in Strathfield in the inner west of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
.
Further reading
- Cook, A. 1997. Visions of Parnassus: Meriden's first 100 years. Meriden Council, Meriden School.