Newcastle Grammar School
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| Newcastle Grammar School | |
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| Spectemur Agendo (Latin:"By our acts we shall be judged") |
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| Established | 1859[1] |
| School Type | Independent, Co-educational, Day School |
| Denomination | Non-denominational, Anglican-affiliated[2] |
| Slogan | "Towards a Brighter Future" |
| Key People | Alan G. Green (Headmaster) Timothy Fox (Chaplain) Dr John Miller (Chairman) |
| School Fees | AU$8,952–14,793 p.a[3] |
| Location | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia  |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Enrolment | ~831 (P–12)[4] |
| Employees | ~74[4] |
| Colours | Navy Blue, Blue, White & Red |
| Homepage | www2.ngs.nsw.edu.au |
Newcastle Grammar School is an independent, non-denominational, Anglican-affiliated day school, located in the Central Business District of Newcastle, in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia.
Established in 1859 at the Newcastle Boys' Grammar School,[1] the school has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 831 students from Pre-school to Year 12.[4]
Newcastle Grammar is affiliated the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle,[2] the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),[5] and the Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA),[6] and the Association of Independent Schools of New South Wales (AISNSW).[7]
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[edit] History
Established in 1859, Newcastle Grammar is one of Newcastle's most historically significant schools. The School has links to the earliest days of Anglican education in the city, beginning in 1816 when convict Henry Wrensford taught thirty eight children in a small room in Christ Church, on the site of today's Cathedral. Newcastle Boys' Grammar School opened on the present site in 1859, the same year that the School's current administration building, Berkeley House, was opened. The School operated until 1902.
Newcastle Church of England Girls' Grammar School was officially opened on 22 July 1918 with an enrolment of 56 girls. The School was relocated to Morpeth for the period 7 June 1942 until sometime in 1943, due to the Second World War. The control and administration of the School was given to The Pittwater House Schools in 1976 and the Pittwater House administered the School until the end of 1991. In this time, enrolments at the School grew from 170 students to 600, and in 1978, boys were once again enrolled at the School.[8]
At the beginning of 1992, the School's senior administration was returned to Newcastle and Newcastle Grammar School is now conducted by Newcastle Grammar School Limited, a non-profit Company limited by guarantee. Newcastle Grammar School maintains strong links with the Anglican Church. Today it is the leading independent school in the Hunter Valley Region.[9]
[edit] Heads of school
| Headmaster/Headmistress | Duration |
|---|---|
| E K Yeatman | 1859–? |
| HS Millard | |
| M E Lawrance | 1918–1932 |
| Z E Martin | 1933–1951 |
| M Roberts | 1952–1959 |
| E Heath | 1960–1964 |
| L Thompson | 1965–1967 |
| K Stewart | 1968–1976 |
| R H Morgan (Executive Principal) | 1977–1991 |
| D Lloyd | 1977 |
| A Coombes | 1978–1985 |
| B L Charlton | 1986–1988 |
| A G Green | 1989–present |
[edit] Today
Newcastle Grammar School is a private school that offers scholarships annually in Years 5, 7 and 11 in the Academic, Music and Visual Arts categories. Currently, it is regarded academically as the best non-selective high school outside of Sydney in New South Wales, and has been ranked in the top 50 high schools in the State for the past decade. It performs consistently well in the Higher School Certificate and the School Certificate. In 2007, Newcastle Grammar School was ranked 50th in the State for the HSC.[10]
The Dux (2007) of Year 12 of Newcastle Grammar School obtained a UAI of 100, which placed her in the top 21 students in the State, and was only one of two students in the Newcastle region to achieve this. In addition to this achievement, she came fourth in the State in Physics and nineteenth in the State in Chemistry. The second-highest-ranking student obtained a UAI of 99.85. One student also came third in the State in Geography. Information suggests that in excess of 35% of Year 12 (2007) obtained a UAI over 90, and 84% obtained a UAI over 60. Three students achieved a UAI over 99, and six students made the All-Round Achievers' List, meaning they obtained 90% or more in 10 or more units, one student was nominated for Encore, two students made ArtExpress and one student made OnStage. Newcastle Grammar School's Year 12 (2007) had 106 mentions on the Merit List, 32 students obtained over 90% in English and 18 students obtained over 90% in Mathematics.
In the School Certificate for 2007, the Dux of Year 10 achieved a first by obtaining 100% in Australian Geography. This is the first occasion a Newcastle Grammarian has attained an achievement of this nature.[11]
There are two libraries as well as computer, music, language and science laboratories. The building now used for the middle school was completed in 1992. A new four-storey senior school building known as "Parnell" was occupied in 1995. New facilities for visual arts were completed in 1997. In 2007 a new five-storey building known as "Holland" was opened with facilities for Design & Technology/Wood (including IMac computers which can run both Apple Inc. and Microsoft Windows programs), English, Hospitality (including a commercial kitchen), computer rooms, Year 12 and staff facilities, Drama and PD/H/PE. At Park Campus, a new building was completed in 2001 for the Junior School. Park Campus has its own library, music and computer room. A new building was opened in 2001 with well equipped rooms catering for the needs of the students. The Sandi Warren Performance Centre is used by the whole school for many musical and dramatic productions, assemblies, physical education lessons, lectures and dinners. In 2004, the Horbury Hunt Hall was restored and carpeted for the use of the drama students. Newcastle Grammar School also owns Howzat Fitness Centre, situated in Cooks Hill, enhancing the PD/H/PE program at the School.[12]
[edit] Structure
Newcastle Grammar School has a 'Three-School' focus: Junior School (Kindergarten to Year 4), Middle School (Years 5 to 8) and Senior School (Years 9 to 12). There are three campuses, two for academic and one for sporting endeavours.
Newcastle Grammar School purchased Howzat Sports Pty Ltd in the year 2000. Howzat Newcastle is one of Australia's largest indoor sports and fitness centres, located in nearby Darby Street. This enables students and families to utilise the sporting and gymnasium facilities through the school.[13]
Howzat Sports and Fitness Club is run as a commercial venture, maximising the benefits which flow to the School. The Centre facilitates co-curricular sports and a full Gymnasium, Weights and Circuit room, Aerobics classes, Massage Therapist, Nutritionist, Personal Training, Tennis Coaching, City to Surf training programme, Kindergym and Childminding.
[edit] Curriculum
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[edit] Junior school
Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2[14]
- English
Reading, Writing, Listening, Talking, Library
Working Mathematically, Space and Geometry, Measurement, Number, Patterns and Algebra and Data
Social Studies - Including French
- Science and Technology
Including Computers
- Creative Arts
Music, Visual Arts, Dance and Drama - including Choirs
- Personal Development Health and Physical Education
Physical Education and Sport including Divinity
Year 3 and Year 4:
- English
Reading, Writing, Listening, Talking, Library
- Mathematics
Working Mathematically, Space and Geometry, Measurement, Number, Patterns and Algebra and Data
- Human Society and Its Environment
Social Studies - Including French
- Science and Technology
including Computers
- Creative and Practical Art
Music, Creative Arts, Drama - including Choir and Strings Program
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
Physical Education and Sport including Divinity
[edit] Middle school
Years 7/8:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- French
- Geography
- History
- Japanese
- Music
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Technology
- Visual Arts
[edit] Senior school
Students are offered Elective Music in Years 9 and 10 and in Years 11 and 12 both Course Music I and Music II and Extension are offered. All students who undertake Music Electives are encouraged to be involved in the School's co-curricular programme and are given many performance opportunities. Other subjects available to students include:
Year 9:[15]
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- French
- Japanese
- Australian History and Geography
- Commerce
- Drama
- Visual Arts
- Information and Software Technology
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology (Timber)
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Divinity
Year 10:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- French
- Japanese
- Australian History and Geography
- Commerce
- Drama
- Visual Arts
- Music
- Information and Software Technology
- Food Technology
- Industrial Technology (Timber)
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Divinity
- Computing Skills
In Years 11 to 12, students are prepared for the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Subjects offered to students at this stage include:
- English (Advanced, Extension 1 and 2)
- Mathematics
- General Mathematics
- Mathematics Extension 1 and 2
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Modern History
- French Continuers
- Japanese Continuers
- Drama
- Economics
- Geography
- Visual Arts
- Music (1 and 2)
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
- Business Studies
- Legal Studies
- Studies of Religion
- Design and Technology
- Hospitality
- Information Technology
For the HSC, Extension Courses are available in History, French, Music and Japanese.
[edit] Co-curriculum
Students are required to take part in a variety of co-curricular activities, including Musical Groups, Debating, Drama Productions, Camping, Young Achievers, Lions Youth of the Year Quest, Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, Service and Adventure Training Unit and various team sports. Students are involved in community service and support charities in their work. Students are expected to participate in a minimum of one co-curricular activity.[16]
[edit] Music
Musical groups available to students include:[17]
- String Orchestra's
- Wind Orchestra's
- Concert Band's
- Choral groups, including Minims (Kindergarten), Semitones (Years 1 and 2), Tones (Years 3 and 4), Middle C's (Year 5), Sixes (Year 6 - auditioned), Grammarphones (Years 6, 7 & 8 - auditioned), the Senior Choir (Years 9, 10, 11 & 12), Chapel Choir, Barbershop Quartet, and Britten Choir
- Clarinet Ensemble
- Classical Guitar Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
- String Quartet
- Flute Ensemble
- Saxophone Ensemble
- Blues Guitar Ensemble
- Brass Ensemble
Music is encouraged from an early age and students are given opportunities to try different instruments and styles of music. Music is a compulsory part of the classroom curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 8, and is offered as an elective subject from Years 9 to 12. An annual camp is held away from the school for all students (Years 7-12) who are part of a music group or choir. This gives them an enjoyable opportunity to devote time to making music. There are opportunities to perform at functions both in and outside the School, including the Newcastle Show and at Christ Church Cathedral. The senior and junior jazz bands, Brass Razoo and Bamboozle are made up of musicians from Years 7 to 12. Brass Razoo competed in the Aurora Festival in Christchurch, New Zealand, and were the only competitors to win a Gold Award.
Junior School students are all involved in class music lessons for thirty minutes every week. Choirs from the Junior School perform regularly at major school calendar events. Variety Night is an evening featuring music items from all students at Junior School. End of term assemblies, an Easter breakfast, Founders' Day and Grandparents' Day all provide opportunities for students to perform.
As part of the Middle School curriculum, all students in Year 5 and 6 have weekly music lessons and are involved in a Wind and Brass programme where they have an opportunity to try an instrument for a year. Keyboard classes are offered as part of the curriculum to all Year 7 students in a Keyboard Laboratory. In Year 8, the practical component entails learning the guitar.
Students from Year 10 produce an annual musical; the 2007 production was Sweeney Todd by Sondheim. Many different productions have been performed over the years, including: His Majesty's Pleasure, Little Shop of Horrors, The Pyjama Game, Fame, and Les Miserables.[18]
Private tuition, including Instrumental, Voice, or Speech and Drama, is available to all students enrolled at the school. Private tuition is also available for Clarinet, Flute, French Horn, Guitar, Oboe, Percussion, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, and Tuba. Voice tuition and musicianship classes are also available.
[edit] Achievements
Extracurricular and co-curricular achievements of Newcastle Grammarians in recent years include the following:[19]
- Newcastle Grammar School has a good record with the Lions Youth of the Year Quest Competition, with the School Captain in 2007 being a Regional Level Finalist and both the Public Speaking and Overall Winner at Club Level, and the School Vice-Captain in 2004 also becoming a Lions Youth of the Year Quest Club Level and Public Speaking Winner.
- In 2005, two Newcastle Grammarians delivered the Addresses at the City of Newcastle ANZAC Day United Commemoration Service. In 2006, again two Newcastle Grammarians delivered the Addresses at the City of Newcastle ANZAC Day United Commemoration Service.[20]
- In 2007, the NGS SUO of the Service and Adventure Training Unit was additionally appointed Senior Cadet in the Hunter Army Cadet Battalion.
- A Newcastle Grammarian won the UNSW Faculty of Law Essay Competition 2007.[21]
- In 2007, a student from Newcastle Grammar School won a place at the National Youth Science Forum. The subsequent year, another student from Newcastle Grammar School also secured a place at the National Youth Science Forum.[22]
[edit] Leadership
The Senior Leadership Body consists of two School Captains (one male, one female), two School Vice-Captains (one male, one female) and a Senior Prefect. It is traditional for the School Captains to deliver keynote prayers at the Founders Day Service and the Year 12 Valedictory Eucharist, and carry the cross and banner at the Hill Campus ANZAC Day Service and Prefect Induction. The Middle School is led by two "Stewart Council" leaders (one male, one female). A male and female representative are elected to each of Years 5, 6, 7 and 8, who, together with the House Captains and Stewart Council leaders form the Stewart Council leadership body. These leaders meet on a regular basis to discuss the organisation of activities pertaining to the Middle School. Captains are appointed for Tyrrell, Shortland, Macquarie and Hunter House in both the Middle and Senior Schools to facilitate various House activities throughout the year. House Vice-Captains are elected early in Year 11 to assist the House Captains. Once the House Captains depart the school in October, the House Vice-Captains assume the leadership responsibilities of the House for the remainder of the year. To assist the House Vice-Captains, four House Leaders (2 male, 2 female) are elected from Year 10 in Term 4. Prefects are appointed by the Headmaster, in consultation with senior students and staff.
There are also leadership opportunities in the Music Department, leading the various choral, brass and string groups. Four Senior Musicians are appointed to represent the Music Department in their final year. The Service and Adventure Training Unit also offers those involved various leadership opportunities. The leading student of the SATU is appointed as the Senior Cadet in Year 12. In addition, Captains are appointed by the Masters/Mistresses of the relevant sporting groups in the school, including Athletics, Swimming, Rowing, Hockey, Touch Football and Netball.
[edit] House system
Upon entry to the School, each student is allocated, according to age and gender, or family tradition, to one of the four Houses:
- Hunter, named after the Hunter River
- Macquarie
- Shortland
- Tyrrell, named after Bishop Tyrrell.
Houses form the basis for sporting and cultural competitions or interactions within the School, including:
- Debating
- Music Festival
- Cross Country (Years 2-12)
- Swimming Carnivals
- Athletics Carnivals.
The House system also facilitates the Pastoral Care programme of the Senior School. Students in each House are placed in a single-sex, mixed age group led by one a Mentor teacher, and they remain with this group throughout their Senior School years. Mentor groups meet twice each week and also sit together in Assembly and Chapel Service. The Mentor teacher and House Patron work together to encourage and support each student in the House, and the House Patron and student leaders are responsible for organising sporting teams for Inter-House Competitions as well as fund-raising activities, and various Inter-House events. Each House is responsible for organising one chapel service annually, and sponsoring an activity for the Spring Fair.
[edit] Alumni
Ex-students of Newcastle Grammar School may elect to become life members of Newcastle Grammar School's Alumni association, the Newcastle Old Grammarians' Association (NOGA). NOGA presently has about 2500 members.
Notable alumni of the school include:
Entertainment, media and the arts
- Susie Porter - actress
- Paloma Rodriguez - model, contestant on Australia's Next Top Model 2007
- Gemma Sanderson - model, winner of Australia's Next Top Model 2005
- Tiffani Wood - singer
[edit] References
- ^ a b Newcastle Grammar School. New South Wales. School Choice. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ a b Directory of Anglican Schools & Independent Schools with Anglican Affiliation (PDF). News South Wales. NSW Provincial Commission on Christian Education (March 2007). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ Tuition Fees 2008. Tuition Fees. Newcastle Grammar School. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ a b c Annual Report 2006 (PDF). News & Events. Newcastle Grammar School (2007). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ New South Wales. School Directory. Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ JSHAA New South Wales Directory of Members. New South Wales Branch. Junior School Heads' Association of Australia (2007). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ Hunter Region. NSW Independent Schools by Region. Association of Independent Schools of New South Wales. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School - Our History
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School official website
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Headmaster congratulates Class of 2007
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Newsletter 21 December 2007
- ^ School Choice - Newcastle Grammar School
- ^ Howzat Fitness Centre official website
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Junior School Curriculum as of May 2007
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Senior School Curriculum as of May 2007
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Co-curricular Activities 2004
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Music Department Programme 2007
- ^ "Les Miserables opens"
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Successes in 2007
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Newsletter 28 May 2006
- ^ UNSW Faculty of Law Essay Competition 2007
- ^ Newcastle Grammar School Newsletter 17 October 2007
