Toorak College, Mt Eliza
Encyclopedia
Toorak College is an independent
, inter-denominational, day
and boarding school
for girls years 7 - 12 and co-educational from pre school to Year 6. The School is located above Port Phillip Bay in Mount Eliza
, a town approximately forty kilometres south of Melbourne
, Victoria
, Australia
.
The school began in 1874 as a boys' school in Toorak
, a suburb of Melbourne, but moved to its current location at Mount Eliza in 1928, as an independent school for girls. The College currently caters for approximately 925 students from Kindergarten
to Year 12, including 70 boarders from Years 7 to 12, and offers a range of Victorian Certificate of Education
(VCE) subjects. Toorak College also offers a range of co-curricular activities including a wide range of visual and performing arts and sport. Toorak's co-educational ELC and Junior School (Years K-6) has been an IB World School since November 2007, and is authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme
(PYP).
Toorak College is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), the Junior School Heads Association of Australia
(JSHAA), the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia (AGSA), the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria (AISV), the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), and is a founding member of Girls Sport Victoria
(GSV).
, where it opened as a boys' school on Wednesday, January 21, 1874. At first, classes were held in the brick hall of St John's Presbyterian Church in Jackson Street, Toorak, but the school soon moved into specially erected buildings in nearby Douglas Street. The founding Principal was John Stevens Miller, a Scot
, who had been involved in several schools since his arrival in Victoria, in 1854.
His successor, John Thomas Craig, was also a Scot. During his years at Toorak College (1877–1895), Craig built the school into one of the largest privately-owned schools in Melbourne, and he had a reputation as a fine educationist. After the prosperity of the 1880s, the economic difficulties of the next decade reduced enrolments dramatically. Craig, whose health had never been strong, leased his school to Margaret Oliver Tripp.
Margaret Tripp was a lady of many educational interests and long teaching experience. Assisted by two of her sisters, she took over Toorak College on February 4, 1895. She is most important in the school's history, because in 1897 she changed Toorak College from a boys' school to a school for girls.
Toorak College was a very small school when its next Principal, Ellen Blundell Pye, arrived late in 1899. She encouraged the playing of a range of sport
s such as tennis
, basketball
, athletics
, cricket
and rowing
. Slowly, numbers of pupils increased and a school spirit developed, expressed in The Games Song written during this period. The original building and the Red House, built by Pye to house junior boarders, still stand in Douglas Street as part of Glamorgan School, now the Toorak campus of Geelong Grammar School
.
Ill health forced Ellen Pye to retire at the end of 1907, and the three Hamilton sisters came from Alexandra College
, Hamilton, to take her place. They remained for nearly thirty years. Isabella and Robina (Beanie) were co-Principals and Barbara had charge of the Boarding House
. Although new buildings were erected, the site at Douglas Street was no longer adequate. In 1919, the school moved to Mayfield Avenue off Glenferrie Road, DOIST Malvern
. A severe influenza
epidemic delayed the opening of classes that year until March 10. The 230 students found their new school "a very paradise of model classrooms, a playing field such as we never dreamt of, and a real Chapel with stone walls and stained glass windows".
The parents and Old Girls of the school came to its rescue late in 1926, as it was proposed to close Toorak College. Many felt the loss of the College and the influence of the Misses Hamilton would be detrimental to the education of girls. After Speech Night 1926, a committee of parents was established for the purpose of continuing Toorak College as a private company. The school was moved into temporary premises known as "The Towers", in Lansell Road, Toorak, while a new home was found for it.
Late in 1928, the school moved for the third time, this time to its present site in Mount Eliza. For the next fifteen years, during which the Misses Hamilton retired and the country suffered another economic depression and then a war
, enrolments were very low and the school continued only because of the support of its pupils, past and present.
One sign of a recovery in Toorak College's fortunes was when Mrs Wardle (Headmistress 1943–1958) established junior classes. These were held in places as far apart as the Long Walk (new Year 9 block), "The Elephant", and "The Dolls House", until 1957 when, due to the gifts of Sir Reginald Ansett
and Sir Norman Carson, two benefactors of the school, a separate Junior School was built in Charles Street, and named Wardle House.
By the time Wardle retired in 1958, the composition of the pupils at the school had begun to change dramatically from the country boarding school as visualised by the Misses Hamilton. The growth of the Mornington Peninsula as a residential zone created a demand for education for day girls, and the years Lillian Bush spent as Headmistress (1961–1966) saw great developments in facilities at the school. Wardle House gained a hall and an extra classroom; the Norman Carson Library
was in full use; the Mary Herring Hall was built and the Science
Block planned.
Dorothea Cerutty led the school during the decade 1967–1976. Under her leadership, Toorak College experienced a period of considerable growth. It gained audio-visual facilities, and the swimming pool
, new boarding house and the Chapel were opened. In 1981, the School Council undertook to have a history of the school written and in November 1987, The Echoes Fade Not: a history of Toorak College, was launched.
With the completion in 1983 of the new Years 7 and 8 classroom block on the site formerly occupied by the Memorial Block, and in 1984 of the new Year 10 block, and the refurbishing of the Long Walk classrooms as homes for Year 9, Toorak College is developing in the tradition established since the years of Ellen Pye's principalship.
Other college Prefect Roles include those of House Captains (one student for each of the six Houses); Sports Prefect; Instrumental and Choral Prefects; Arts Prefect; Community Liaison; Dance Prefect; Drama Prefect; Literary Prefect; Head and Deputy Head of Ansett Joan Hall (Boarding House); Debating and Public Speaking Prefect and Bardon House Prefect. This body plays an integral part in the organisation of student life at the college and is responsible for structuring student events, competitions, fundraisers, presentations and forums.
began in 1928, when the school moved to Mount Eliza. Pupils were allotted to Douglas, Mayfield or Hamilton: the first two named after earlier addresses of the school and Hamilton after the then principals. In 1948, a further House, Tripp, for day girls was founded, but as day student numbers grew, a second House, Pye, was introduced for them in 1955. The original three Houses remained for boarders until 1962 when boarders and day girls were integrated in each of the Houses. In 1984, another House was added, Cerutty, to honour Dorothea Cerutty, who led the school during the decade 1967–1976.
The House System today plays an integral role in each girls' student life. Wardle House (Years Prep-6) offers 3 Houses: Gold; Blue and Red. Students represent their House in sports including Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country.
Upon entering Year 7, students become a member of one of the six houses, Cerutty, Douglas, Hamilton, Mayfield, Pye and Tripp. The House System incorporates every student from years 7 to 12, with Year Level Captains voted in by fellow house members at the beginning of each school year.
Each house is led by three Year 12 leaders; a House Captain and two supporting Deputy Captains. It is the responsibility of the House Captain to liaise with House Staff and ensure that every House member feels valued and is secure in her House life at Toorak College.
Each House is represented by two colours.
Cerutty - Blue and White
Douglas - Red and Gold
Hamilton - Blue and Gold
Mayfield - Red and Blue
Pye - Green and Gold
Tripp - Red and White
These colours are used to distinguish house members at House Events and competitions, with students dressing in costumes representing their house colours, including face paint for large sporting events.
The six Houses compete in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Whole House competitions include House Singing and House Cross Country, whilst members can also compete in Diving, Athletics (Track and Field), Swimming, Drama, Variety, Debating, Football (Australian Rules), Soccer, Small Group Singing (Madrigals) and instrumental groups. Days are allocated throughout the school year for whole school House Events, held on campus or (in the case of Cross Country and Athletics) at local sporting stadiums.
The House System has an awards and merits system which workd to reward both individual and collective efforts. Girls who are extensively involved with all aspects of house life during their first 3 years at Toorak College are awarded Half House Colours. This can be re-awarded for continued involvement throughout years 10 and 11. A limited number of students are then awarded the Whole House Colours award at a ceremony in their final year. This award is very prestigious and an achievement which is an indication of the students extensive involvement dedication, passion, house spirit and consideration. Senior School Speech Night provides occasion for the announcement of the prestigious Aggregate Cup, which is awarded to the House with the most accumulative points at the end of the school year. Cups are also awarded at Speech Night for all individual events mentioned above.
School facilities include:
Four purpose-built pre-school rooms.
(two for 3-year-olds and two for 4-year-old groups)
36 general-purpose classrooms.
Seven science laboratories, including one special-purpose science/technology room in the Junior School.
A School-wide wireless computer network to support our notebook computer program.
Many other specialist computer and technology resources spread throughout the school.
A Senior Student Centre (Bardon House) for girls completing their VCE, Years 11 and 12. This facility provides girls with an interactive lecture theatre, equipped with computer networking and desks for 134 students; three adjoining 'breakout rooms' for Year 11 and 12 classes of 6-12 students; a silent study room, equipped with individual computer networked alcoves for exam preparation and general senior study, accessible print and copy facilities and also a large Student Common Room. The Common Room includes a student lounge for relaxation purposes, a kitchen, breakfast bar, stereo system and television, as well as multiple computer network banks to support the schools extensive notebook computer program. Bardon House houses all Year 11 and 12 lockers, as well as the Head of VCE and Deputy Head of VCE Staff Offices.
Adjoining Bardon House is the 'Pavilion Cafe which operates as both a canteen and coffee shop for use by the whole School community.
The college also provides Arts students with a purpose built Visual Arts Centre, including specialist resources for Textiles, Graphics, Photography, Painting & Drawing, Multimedia (including a state-of-the-art video editing suite), Catering, Textiles and Ceramics.
A Music Centre is currently beginning construction, set to replace the current Music Building, consisting of specialist classrooms for Music, individual Music tuition, Dance and Drama stages and rehearsal rooms.
Other school buildings include:
School Chapel
Senior School Hall (Mary Herring Hall), which seats 650 people.
Junior School Hall (MacLean Hall)
Boarding House (Joan Ansett Hall) for 90 students, international and local
Dining Room
Printing Department
Six bed Health Centre
College Store (Retail Centre)
Specialised Year 10 Common Room
The majority of administrative and teaching staff offices are in the original school building (The Hamilton Building, established 1928). The college offers two libraries. The Senior School Library (The Norman Carson Library) contains an audio visual centre capable of transmitting audio and video images throughout the school. The Junior School Library (The Denise Hargreaves Library) was extended in 1994.
The Library is also home to the Toorak College Old Girls' Association Archives Centre which houses the Elizabeth Beischer Memorabilia Collection.
The Junior School has three well equipped outside play areas as well as purpose-built foundation years areas.
There is a Sport and Performing Arts Complex (The Marjorie Williams Centre) which includes a gymnasium (basketball court), dance studio, drama rooms including a theatre for performance, two squash courts and two fully equipped weights training rooms.
The school features an Aquatic Centre complete with heated 25 metre swimming pool and competition standard diving pool (including 1 and 3 meter towers). College grounds also include three large playing fields (including the Jean Robinson Oval), five tennis courts and a netball/basketball court.
, the Toorak College Old Girls Association (TCOGA). The Toorak College "Old Girls Association" was founded on 15 June 1908, as a way of keeping past students in touch with one another. In 1918, its name was changed to "The Old Girls Association of Toorak College", and featured a membership of 389. Today there are approximately 3,000 members, and the association aims to support the College by providing such things as funds for the Archives Centre, Scholarship
s, student prizes, the Year 12 Leavers' Cocktail Party and Year 7 Luncheon. The TCOGA also supports a Golf and Tennis team which compete against other Old Collegian Associations.
Some notable former students of Toorak College:
Architecture
Aviation
Clergy
Entertainment, media and the arts
Medicine and science
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...
, inter-denominational, 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 years 7 - 12 and co-educational from pre school to Year 6. The School is located above Port Phillip Bay in Mount Eliza
Mount Eliza, Victoria
Mount Eliza is an outer suburb south-east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is in the Local Government Area of the Shire of Mornington Peninsula...
, a town approximately forty kilometres south of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, 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...
.
The school began in 1874 as a boys' school in Toorak
Toorak, Victoria
Toorak is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district located on a rise on the south side of a bend in the Yarra River. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington...
, a suburb of Melbourne, but moved to its current location at Mount Eliza in 1928, as an independent school for girls. The College currently caters for approximately 925 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 70 boarders from Years 7 to 12, and offers a range of Victorian Certificate of Education
Victorian Certificate of Education
The Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases...
(VCE) subjects. Toorak College also offers a range of co-curricular activities including a wide range of visual and performing arts and sport. Toorak's co-educational ELC and Junior School (Years K-6) has been an IB World School since November 2007, and is authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme
IB Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 11. While the programme prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite for it...
(PYP).
Toorak College 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 Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia (AGSA), the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria (AISV), the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), and is a founding member of Girls Sport Victoria
Girls Sport Victoria
Girls' Sport Victoria was established in 2001, and is one of the largest independent school sporting association in Victoria, with 24 member schools from around Melbourne....
(GSV).
History
Toorak College takes its name from the township of ToorakToorak, Victoria
Toorak is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district located on a rise on the south side of a bend in the Yarra River. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington...
, where it opened as a boys' school on Wednesday, January 21, 1874. At first, classes were held in the brick hall of St John's Presbyterian Church in Jackson Street, Toorak, but the school soon moved into specially erected buildings in nearby Douglas Street. The founding Principal was John Stevens Miller, a Scot
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
, who had been involved in several schools since his arrival in Victoria, in 1854.
Margaret Tripp was a lady of many educational interests and long teaching experience. Assisted by two of her sisters, she took over Toorak College on February 4, 1895. She is most important in the school's history, because in 1897 she changed Toorak College from a boys' school to a school for girls.
Toorak College was a very small school when its next Principal, Ellen Blundell Pye, arrived late in 1899. She encouraged the playing of a range of sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
s such as tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, athletics
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
, cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and rowing
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
. Slowly, numbers of pupils increased and a school spirit developed, expressed in The Games Song written during this period. The original building and the Red House, built by Pye to house junior boarders, still stand in Douglas Street as part of Glamorgan School, now the Toorak campus of Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, co-educational, boarding and day school. The school's main campus is located at Corio, on the northern outskirts of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, overlooking Corio Bay and Limeburners Bay....
.
Ill health forced Ellen Pye to retire at the end of 1907, and the three Hamilton sisters came from Alexandra College
Alexandra College
Alexandra College is a private, single-sex school located in Milltown, Dublin, Ireland. It serves girls from ages 4 to 19 as boarding or day pupils. The school is one of the most prestigious in Ireland and ranks highly in Leaving Certificate results tables...
, Hamilton, to take her place. They remained for nearly thirty years. Isabella and Robina (Beanie) were co-Principals and Barbara had charge of the 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...
. Although new buildings were erected, the site at Douglas Street was no longer adequate. In 1919, the school moved to Mayfield Avenue off Glenferrie Road, DOIST Malvern
Malvern, Victoria
Malvern is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stonnington. At the 2006 Census, Malvern had a population of 9,422.-History:...
. A severe influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
epidemic delayed the opening of classes that year until March 10. The 230 students found their new school "a very paradise of model classrooms, a playing field such as we never dreamt of, and a real Chapel with stone walls and stained glass windows".
The parents and Old Girls of the school came to its rescue late in 1926, as it was proposed to close Toorak College. Many felt the loss of the College and the influence of the Misses Hamilton would be detrimental to the education of girls. After Speech Night 1926, a committee of parents was established for the purpose of continuing Toorak College as a private company. The school was moved into temporary premises known as "The Towers", in Lansell Road, Toorak, while a new home was found for it.
Late in 1928, the school moved for the third time, this time to its present site in Mount Eliza. For the next fifteen years, during which the Misses Hamilton retired and the country suffered another economic depression and then a war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
, enrolments were very low and the school continued only because of the support of its pupils, past and present.
Reg Ansett
Sir Reginald Myles "Reg" Ansett KBE was an Australian businessman and aviator; best known for founding Ansett Transport Industries Limited, which owned one of Australia's two leading domestic airlines between 1957 and 2001...
and Sir Norman Carson, two benefactors of the school, a separate Junior School was built in Charles Street, and named Wardle House.
By the time Wardle retired in 1958, the composition of the pupils at the school had begun to change dramatically from the country boarding school as visualised by the Misses Hamilton. The growth of the Mornington Peninsula as a residential zone created a demand for education for day girls, and the years Lillian Bush spent as Headmistress (1961–1966) saw great developments in facilities at the school. Wardle House gained a hall and an extra classroom; the Norman Carson 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...
was in full use; the Mary Herring Hall was built and the Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
Block planned.
Dorothea Cerutty led the school during the decade 1967–1976. Under her leadership, Toorak College experienced a period of considerable growth. It gained audio-visual facilities, 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...
, new boarding house and the Chapel were opened. In 1981, the School Council undertook to have a history of the school written and in November 1987, The Echoes Fade Not: a history of Toorak College, was launched.
With the completion in 1983 of the new Years 7 and 8 classroom block on the site formerly occupied by the Memorial Block, and in 1984 of the new Year 10 block, and the refurbishing of the Long Walk classrooms as homes for Year 9, Toorak College is developing in the tradition established since the years of Ellen Pye's principalship.
Leadership
The School operates via a well established 'Prefect System', with Year 12 girls being elected into the Prefect Body. This group consists of 20 girls, each representing specific aspects of school life. The most prestigious student roles at Toorak College are that of Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl. The student and staff body elects 2 eligible girls at the end of their 11th year. The two elected girls then become the leaders of the Prefect Body and the school as a whole. They are responsible for representing the voice of their fellow peers, liaising with college staff and the executive, as well as planning and organising school events. It is the duty of the Head and Deputy Head Girls' to chair the Student Representative Council and other college leadership groups, as well as to represent the school at events such as gala evenings, balls, fundraising dinners, open days and student forums. The Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl address the school each assembly and become valued members of the college's 'Official Party' at formal events.Other college Prefect Roles include those of House Captains (one student for each of the six Houses); Sports Prefect; Instrumental and Choral Prefects; Arts Prefect; Community Liaison; Dance Prefect; Drama Prefect; Literary Prefect; Head and Deputy Head of Ansett Joan Hall (Boarding House); Debating and Public Speaking Prefect and Bardon House Prefect. This body plays an integral part in the organisation of student life at the college and is responsible for structuring student events, competitions, fundraisers, presentations and forums.
House system
Toorak College's house systemHouse 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...
began in 1928, when the school moved to Mount Eliza. Pupils were allotted to Douglas, Mayfield or Hamilton: the first two named after earlier addresses of the school and Hamilton after the then principals. In 1948, a further House, Tripp, for day girls was founded, but as day student numbers grew, a second House, Pye, was introduced for them in 1955. The original three Houses remained for boarders until 1962 when boarders and day girls were integrated in each of the Houses. In 1984, another House was added, Cerutty, to honour Dorothea Cerutty, who led the school during the decade 1967–1976.
The House System today plays an integral role in each girls' student life. Wardle House (Years Prep-6) offers 3 Houses: Gold; Blue and Red. Students represent their House in sports including Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country.
Upon entering Year 7, students become a member of one of the six houses, Cerutty, Douglas, Hamilton, Mayfield, Pye and Tripp. The House System incorporates every student from years 7 to 12, with Year Level Captains voted in by fellow house members at the beginning of each school year.
Each house is led by three Year 12 leaders; a House Captain and two supporting Deputy Captains. It is the responsibility of the House Captain to liaise with House Staff and ensure that every House member feels valued and is secure in her House life at Toorak College.
Each House is represented by two colours.
Cerutty - Blue and White
Douglas - Red and Gold
Hamilton - Blue and Gold
Mayfield - Red and Blue
Pye - Green and Gold
Tripp - Red and White
These colours are used to distinguish house members at House Events and competitions, with students dressing in costumes representing their house colours, including face paint for large sporting events.
The six Houses compete in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Whole House competitions include House Singing and House Cross Country, whilst members can also compete in Diving, Athletics (Track and Field), Swimming, Drama, Variety, Debating, Football (Australian Rules), Soccer, Small Group Singing (Madrigals) and instrumental groups. Days are allocated throughout the school year for whole school House Events, held on campus or (in the case of Cross Country and Athletics) at local sporting stadiums.
The House System has an awards and merits system which workd to reward both individual and collective efforts. Girls who are extensively involved with all aspects of house life during their first 3 years at Toorak College are awarded Half House Colours. This can be re-awarded for continued involvement throughout years 10 and 11. A limited number of students are then awarded the Whole House Colours award at a ceremony in their final year. This award is very prestigious and an achievement which is an indication of the students extensive involvement dedication, passion, house spirit and consideration. Senior School Speech Night provides occasion for the announcement of the prestigious Aggregate Cup, which is awarded to the House with the most accumulative points at the end of the school year. Cups are also awarded at Speech Night for all individual events mentioned above.
School Grounds
Toorak College's expansive grounds cover 11.5 hectares, sloping down towards Port Philip Bay. Schools building provide students with multi-purpose recreational buildings as well as curricular-specific centres to cater to every students' need.School facilities include:
Four purpose-built pre-school rooms.
(two for 3-year-olds and two for 4-year-old groups)
36 general-purpose classrooms.
Seven science laboratories, including one special-purpose science/technology room in the Junior School.
A School-wide wireless computer network to support our notebook computer program.
Many other specialist computer and technology resources spread throughout the school.
A Senior Student Centre (Bardon House) for girls completing their VCE, Years 11 and 12. This facility provides girls with an interactive lecture theatre, equipped with computer networking and desks for 134 students; three adjoining 'breakout rooms' for Year 11 and 12 classes of 6-12 students; a silent study room, equipped with individual computer networked alcoves for exam preparation and general senior study, accessible print and copy facilities and also a large Student Common Room. The Common Room includes a student lounge for relaxation purposes, a kitchen, breakfast bar, stereo system and television, as well as multiple computer network banks to support the schools extensive notebook computer program. Bardon House houses all Year 11 and 12 lockers, as well as the Head of VCE and Deputy Head of VCE Staff Offices.
Adjoining Bardon House is the 'Pavilion Cafe which operates as both a canteen and coffee shop for use by the whole School community.
The college also provides Arts students with a purpose built Visual Arts Centre, including specialist resources for Textiles, Graphics, Photography, Painting & Drawing, Multimedia (including a state-of-the-art video editing suite), Catering, Textiles and Ceramics.
A Music Centre is currently beginning construction, set to replace the current Music Building, consisting of specialist classrooms for Music, individual Music tuition, Dance and Drama stages and rehearsal rooms.
Other school buildings include:
School Chapel
Senior School Hall (Mary Herring Hall), which seats 650 people.
Junior School Hall (MacLean Hall)
Boarding House (Joan Ansett Hall) for 90 students, international and local
Dining Room
Printing Department
Six bed Health Centre
College Store (Retail Centre)
Specialised Year 10 Common Room
The majority of administrative and teaching staff offices are in the original school building (The Hamilton Building, established 1928). The college offers two libraries. The Senior School Library (The Norman Carson Library) contains an audio visual centre capable of transmitting audio and video images throughout the school. The Junior School Library (The Denise Hargreaves Library) was extended in 1994.
The Library is also home to the Toorak College Old Girls' Association Archives Centre which houses the Elizabeth Beischer Memorabilia Collection.
The Junior School has three well equipped outside play areas as well as purpose-built foundation years areas.
There is a Sport and Performing Arts Complex (The Marjorie Williams Centre) which includes a gymnasium (basketball court), dance studio, drama rooms including a theatre for performance, two squash courts and two fully equipped weights training rooms.
The school features an Aquatic Centre complete with heated 25 metre swimming pool and competition standard diving pool (including 1 and 3 meter towers). College grounds also include three large playing fields (including the Jean Robinson Oval), five tennis courts and a netball/basketball court.
Alumni
Alumnae of Toorak College are commonly referred to 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 Toorak College Old Girls Association (TCOGA). The Toorak College "Old Girls Association" was founded on 15 June 1908, as a way of keeping past students in touch with one another. In 1918, its name was changed to "The Old Girls Association of Toorak College", and featured a membership of 389. Today there are approximately 3,000 members, and the association aims to support the College by providing such things as funds for the Archives Centre, Scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
s, student prizes, the Year 12 Leavers' Cocktail Party and Year 7 Luncheon. The TCOGA also supports a Golf and Tennis team which compete against other Old Collegian Associations.
Some notable former students of Toorak College:
Architecture
- Arthur AndersonArthur Anderson (architect)Arthur William Anderson was an Australian architect active in the last decade of the 19th Century and the first 40 years of the 20th century. He was a founder and first president of the Federal Council of the Australian Institute of Architects...
– Architect
Aviation
- Freda ThompsonFreda ThompsonFreda Thompson OBE was a pioneer aviator, the first Australian woman to fly solo from the United Kingdom to Australia.-Biography:...
– Pioneering aviator, fifth woman in Australia to attain a commercial pilots license
Clergy
- Sir Francis William Rolland – Clergyman and educator
Entertainment, media and the arts
- Dame Zara BateZara BateDame Zara Kate Bate DBE was an Australian fashion designer and wife of the Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt....
DBE – Fashion designer and wife of former Prime MinisterPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Harold HoltHarold HoltHarold Edward Holt, CH was an Australian politician and the 17th Prime Minister of Australia.His term as Prime Minister was brought to an early and dramatic end in December 1967 when he disappeared while swimming at Cheviot Beach near Portsea, Victoria, and was presumed drowned.Holt spent 32 years...
(also attended Ruyton Girls' SchoolRuyton Girls' SchoolRuyton Girls' School , is a non-denominational, independent, day school for girls, located in the inner-eastern Melbourne suburb of Kew, Victoria, Australia....
) - Jean KittsonJean KittsonJean Kittson is an Australian performer, writer and comedian in theatre and print, on radio and television. She made her comedy debut at Melbourne’s comedy venue Le Joke in a series of solo performances, and then in the stage version of Let The Blood Run Free.- Television :Kittson is best known...
– Australian performer, writer and comedian best known for her role as the news commentator on ABC TV commedy program The Big GigThe Big GigThe Big Gig was a popular Australian television comedy series based on the British TV series Saturday Live. It was produced and broadcast by the ABC in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was produced and directed by Ted Robinson, who started his career as the director of the second series of the...
in the early 1990s - Brooke SatchwellBrooke SatchwellBrooke Kerith Satchwell is an Australian actress, model, and environmental spokesperson.-Early life:The first of two children of Andrew Satchwell, a real estate agent and Jane Satchwell, a school teacher. Satchwell has lived on the Mornington Peninsula for most of her life...
, Australian actress from TV show NeighboursNeighboursNeighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems... - Kristie Coade – Australian actress from TV show Summer Heights HighSummer Heights HighSummer Heights High is a Logie Award-winning Australian television mockumentary series written by and starring Chris Lilley. It is a parody of high-school life epitomised by its three protagonists: effeminate and megalomaniacal "Director of Performing Arts" Mr G; self-absorbed, privileged teenager...
- Jessica Featherby – Australian actress from TV show Summer Heights HighSummer Heights HighSummer Heights High is a Logie Award-winning Australian television mockumentary series written by and starring Chris Lilley. It is a parody of high-school life epitomised by its three protagonists: effeminate and megalomaniacal "Director of Performing Arts" Mr G; self-absorbed, privileged teenager...
- Lara Jean MarshallLara Jean MarshallLara Jean Marshall Lara Jean Marshall Lara Jean Marshall (born 30 July 1988 in Australia English]]-born Australian former actress and recording artist. She is probably best known for her co-starring role as Lisa Atwood in the popular Australian television series The Saddle Club, alongside Keenan...
– Actress and recording artist best known for her co-star role on The Saddle ClubThe Saddle ClubThe Saddle Club is a children's television series based on the books written by Bonnie Bryant and is an Australia/Canada co-production. Like the book series, the scripted live action series follows the lives of three teenage girls in training to compete in equestrian competitions at the fictional... - Marion Sinclair – Wrote the popular nursery rhyme "KookaburraKookaburraKookaburras are terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea. They are large to very large, with a total length of . The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, and is onomatopoeic of its call...
" (sits on the old gum tree) - Joanna Murray-SmithJoanna Murray-SmithJoanna Murray-Smith is a Melbourne based playwright, screenwriter, novelist, librettist and newspaper columnist.-Biography:...
– Novelist, screenwriter and playwright - Kay Lawrence – Executive Producer of TV show "H20" and "Ocean Girl"
Medicine and science
- Vera Scantlebury BrownVera Scantlebury BrownVera Scantlebury Brown OBE was an Australian medical practitioner and pediatrician in Victoria, Australia.-Early years:...
– Pioneering medical practitioner - Gwynneth Buchanan – Zoologist
- Thomas Stephen Hart – Scientist
- Dame Mary Ranken Lyle HerringMary HerringDame Mary Ranken Lyle Herring, DBE, CStJ was an Australian physician and community worker.-Early life:Born the eldest of four children of Sir Thomas Ranken Lyle, a mathematical physicist, and his wife, Frances Isobel Clare Millear, she attended Toorak College between 1906 and 1912, and she...
– Physician and community worker
See also
- List of schools in Victoria
- List of schools offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme