Tara Anglican School for Girls
Encyclopedia
Tara Anglican School for Girls (commonly referred to as Tara) is an independent
, Anglican, day
and boarding school
for girls, located in North Parramatta
, a western suburb
of Sydney, New South Wales
, Australia
.
Established in 1897, Tara has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 1,000 students from Kindergarten
to Year 12, including 50 boarders from Years 5 to 12.
The school
is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), the Junior School Heads Association of Australia
(JSHAA), the Australian Boarding Schools' Association, the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia, and is a member of the Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools
(AHIGS).
In the 2007 Higher School Certificate, the Sydney Morning Herald named Tara the best performing independent school in Sydney’s North-West.
, co-educational, primary day school in George Street, Parramatta
, by Mary Elizabeth (Joan) Waugh. In 1898, Waugh moved St. Ronan's to an already existing school, The Cedars, at Western Road, Parramatta, in partnership with its incumbent Principal, Mrs Bond. From here, in keeping with Waugh's Anglican vision, the partnership with Bond was dissolved, and the school moved to St. John's Parish Hall, Parramatta in 1902...
When Waugh's father, Dr Isaac Waugh died in 1912, the school moved to the family home, "Tara", in George Street, Parramatta (demolished in 1963). The name of this property had been chosen years earlier by the Waugh family who, being of Irish
background, named it after the Hill of Tara
, in Ireland
. When Joan Waugh's mother died in 1926, the Tara home was sold, and Tara opened in larger premises at Hassall Street, Parramatta. This was to be Tara's home for the next twenty years, and the final move for Joan Waugh. When she died in 1946, the school came under the protection of the Church of England
. All Saints' Church Hall was to be Tara's next home. It is here that it is said that without the help of Reverend Paddy Walker, and the active participation of a group of parents, the school would not have survived.
On 6 February 1952, 142 junior school boys and girls moved from All Saints', and began school at "Ellangowan", at 153 George Street, Parramatta. In 1953, the school commenced classes for senior school pupils. At this site, Tara grew rapidly and thus it was determined that another larger premises was required. In Term 3 of 1958, 103 senior school girls commenced at the schools current site at Masons Drive, with a new Headmistress, Helen Claridge. This site had previously been The Smith Family Hospital for Children with Rheumatic Fever
. A new Science Block was added in 1959; a library
in 1962, and the swimming pool
in 1965. Construction of the Tara Junior School
, and the first floor extension to the main block commenced in 1969. The girls from the Junior School moved to the Masons Drive buildings late in 1970. Ellangowan was sold in 1969 to fund the construction.
and all students and staff take part in a variety of house activities including academic challenges, debating, drama, team sports, choir, service to others,
outdoor education and leadership. The Houses are named after women and men who have made a significant contribution to the life of the school.
Rev Doug Crawford, Rector of All Saints, Parramatta, Chaplain at Tara, former member of School Council, instrumental in relocating Tara to Mason's Drive. This house is traditionally symbolised by the colour purple.
Mrs Elizabeth Hake, wife of the Headmaster at The King’s School
, former member of School Council, instrumental in relocating Tara to Mason's Drive. This house is traditionally symbolised by the colour yellow.
Rev Paddy Walker, Rector of All Saints, Parramatta, former member
of the School Council, welcomed Tara to use his church Hall when
no other accommodation was available. This house is traditionally symbolised by the colour green.
Miss (Joan) Mary Elizabeth Waugh, long regarded as Tara’s founder, who lived with her family at their home 'Tara' in Parramatta. Dr Isaac (Paddy) Waugh, father of Joan, was a great encourager of his daughter’s School. The house is traditionally symbolised by the colour red.
, the Tara Old Girls' Association Inc. Some notable Tara Old Girls include:
Academic
Business
Media, entertainment and the arts
Medicine and science
Sport
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, day
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...
and boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
for girls, located in North Parramatta
North Parramatta, New South Wales
North Parramatta is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. North Parramatta is located 24 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Parramatta...
, a western suburb
Greater Western Sydney
Greater Western Sydney is a term used to describe the western region of the metropolitan area of Sydney, Australia. The University of Western Sydney defines Greater Western Sydney as comprising 14 local government areas...
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...
.
Established in 1897, Tara has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 1,000 students from 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, including 50 boarders from Years 5 to 12.
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...
is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), 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), the Australian Boarding Schools' Association, the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia, and is a member of 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).
In the 2007 Higher School Certificate, the Sydney Morning Herald named Tara the best performing independent school in Sydney’s North-West.
History
Traces its origins back to 1897, where it is thought to have started with the opening of St. Ronan's School, a ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, co-educational, primary day school in George Street, Parramatta
Parramatta, New South Wales
Parramatta is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in Greater Western Sydney west of the Sydney central business district on the banks of the Parramatta River. Parramatta is the administrative seat of the Local Government Area of the City of Parramatta...
, by Mary Elizabeth (Joan) Waugh. In 1898, Waugh moved St. Ronan's to an already existing school, The Cedars, at Western Road, Parramatta, in partnership with its incumbent Principal, Mrs Bond. From here, in keeping with Waugh's Anglican vision, the partnership with Bond was dissolved, and the school moved to St. John's Parish Hall, Parramatta in 1902...
When Waugh's father, Dr Isaac Waugh died in 1912, the school moved to the family home, "Tara", in George Street, Parramatta (demolished in 1963). The name of this property had been chosen years earlier by the Waugh family who, being of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
background, named it after the Hill of Tara
Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland...
, in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. When Joan Waugh's mother died in 1926, the Tara home was sold, and Tara opened in larger premises at Hassall Street, Parramatta. This was to be Tara's home for the next twenty years, and the final move for Joan Waugh. When she died in 1946, the school came under the protection of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
. All Saints' Church Hall was to be Tara's next home. It is here that it is said that without the help of Reverend Paddy Walker, and the active participation of a group of parents, the school would not have survived.
On 6 February 1952, 142 junior school boys and girls moved from All Saints', and began school at "Ellangowan", at 153 George Street, Parramatta. In 1953, the school commenced classes for senior school pupils. At this site, Tara grew rapidly and thus it was determined that another larger premises was required. In Term 3 of 1958, 103 senior school girls commenced at the schools current site at Masons Drive, with a new Headmistress, Helen Claridge. This site had previously been The Smith Family Hospital for Children with Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following a Streptococcus pyogenes infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. Believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain, the illness typically develops two to three weeks after...
. A new Science Block was added in 1959; a library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
in 1962, and the swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
in 1965. Construction of the Tara Junior School
Junior school
A junior school is a type of school which caters for children, often between the ages of 7 and 11.-Australia:In Australia, a junior school is usually a part of a private school that educates children between the ages of 5 and 12....
, and the first floor extension to the main block commenced in 1969. The girls from the Junior School moved to the Masons Drive buildings late in 1970. Ellangowan was sold in 1969 to fund the construction.
Principals
| Period | Details |
|---|---|
| 1897 – 1946 | Miss Joan Waugh |
| 1946 – 1950 | Mrs Jessie (Joy) Hall Young |
| 1950 | Mrs Olga Phelps Wilson |
| 1950 – 1959 | Mrs Nancy (Katharine) Buck |
| 1959 – 1971 | Miss Helen Claridge |
| 1971 – 1973 | Miss Margaret Macdonald |
| 1974 – 1979 | Mrs Joy Parker |
| 1980 – May 1999 | Dr Ruth Shatford |
| May – December 1999 | Acting Principal – Miss Norma Boston |
| 2000 – 2008 | Mrs Carol Bowern |
| 2009 – | Mrs Susan Middlebrook |
House system
Tara 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...
and all students and staff take part in a variety of house activities including academic challenges, debating, drama, team sports, choir, service to others,
outdoor education and leadership. The Houses are named after women and men who have made a significant contribution to the life of the school.
- Crawford
Rev Doug Crawford, Rector of All Saints, Parramatta, Chaplain at Tara, former member of School Council, instrumental in relocating Tara to Mason's Drive. This house is traditionally symbolised by the colour purple.
- Hake
Mrs Elizabeth Hake, wife of the Headmaster at The King’s School
The King's School, Sydney
The King's School is an independent Anglican, day and boarding school for boys in North Parramatta in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831, it is Australia's oldest school and forms one of the nine "Great Public Schools" of New South Wales. Situated within a site, Gowan Brae,...
, former member of School Council, instrumental in relocating Tara to Mason's Drive. This house is traditionally symbolised by the colour yellow.
- Walker
Rev Paddy Walker, Rector of All Saints, Parramatta, former member
of the School Council, welcomed Tara to use his church Hall when
no other accommodation was available. This house is traditionally symbolised by the colour green.
- Waugh
Miss (Joan) Mary Elizabeth Waugh, long regarded as Tara’s founder, who lived with her family at their home 'Tara' in Parramatta. Dr Isaac (Paddy) Waugh, father of Joan, was a great encourager of his daughter’s School. The house is traditionally symbolised by the colour red.
Notable alumnae
Alumnae of Tara are known as Old Girls and may elect to join the schools alumni associationAlumni association
An alumni association is an association of graduates or, more broadly, of former students. In the United Kingdom and the United States, alumni of universities, colleges, schools , fraternities, and sororities often form groups with alumni from the same organisation...
, the Tara Old Girls' Association Inc. Some notable Tara Old Girls include:
Academic
- Kate Brennan – 2007 Rhodes Scholar (also attended 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 Fort Street High SchoolFort Street High SchoolFort Street High School is a co-educational, academically selective, public high school currently located at Petersham, an inner western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
)
Business
- Jennifer Morawska-Ahearn – Managing Director of The Morawska Group; Formerly General Manager of WestpacWestpacWestpac , is a multinational financial services, one of the Australian "big four" banks and the second-largest bank in New Zealand....
, General Manager of the Department of Finance and AdministrationDepartment of Finance and Administration (Australia)The Department of Finance and Deregulation is an Australian Government department. Its role is to help the Australian Government achieve its policy objectives by contributing to four key outcomes:* sustainable Government finances....
, Deputy CEO of the Department of Ind. Sc. and Resources, Director of Ernst & YoungErnst & YoungErnst & Young is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms, along with Deloitte, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers ....
, Executive Director of Price Waterhouse (also attended Ascham SchoolAscham SchoolAscham School is an independent, non-denominational, day and boarding school for girls', located in Edgecliff, an Eastern Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
)
Media, entertainment and the arts
- Kaylee Harris – Former 2WS2WS101.7 WSFM is a FM band radio station broadcasting in Sydney, Australia. Its main content is commercial music, in particular classic hits from the 1960s to the Early 2000s, with a greater focus on the 70's, 80's and 90's...
breakfast host, now working at 2GB2GB2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one station in Sydney.-History:The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926...
as a producer and fill in presenter - Jenna McDougall – Lead singer of Sydney pop punk band Tonight AliveTonight AliveTonight Alive is a five-piece pop punk band from Sydney, Australia. Formed in 2008, and having played along side artists such as Lostprophets, The Blackout, 3OH!3, Valenica, and The Wonder Years, they have sold in excess of 20,000 copies of their debut and self-funded EP, All Shapes and Disguises ...
Medicine and science
- Robyn Stretton Napier – Director and Medical Secretary of the Australian Medical AssociationAustralian Medical AssociationThe Australian Medical Association is a professional association for Australian doctors and medical students.The AMA uses a representative structure involving state branches and committees to work with members to promote and protect the interests of doctors.The mechanisms that allow this include:*...
(AMA) (NSW); General PractitionerGeneral practitionerA general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
Sport
- Kate Bates – World Champion and Commonwealth GamesCommonwealth GamesThe Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
Track Cyclist (also attended Presbyterian Ladies' College, SydneyPresbyterian 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...
)
See also
Further reading
- Hubbard, B. 1997. Tara: A Telling of The Tapestry. Tara Anglican School, North Parramatta. ISBN 1-8645901-8-1.
External links
- http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Students-challenge-rape-victims-story/2004/12/04/1101923386313.html