Firbank Girls' Grammar School


Firbank Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school, situated in the suburb of Brighton, in the bayside area of Melbourne, Australia.
Established in 1909, by the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Henry Lowther Clarke, the school currently caters for approximately 1,200 students. The Early Learning Centre and primary school are co-educational, whilst the secondary school is for girls only.
Firbank is a member of the Australian Anglican Schools Network, the British Schools and Universities Foundation and Girls Sport Victoria. Firbank has close ties with its brother school, Brighton Grammar School, a boys' school. Students of the two schools participate in a number of co-educational activities together such as music and drama.

History

Firbank Grammar School was established as a Christian, day and boarding school for girls in 1909, by the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Henry Lowther Clarke who was left a legacy for educational purposes. The Archbishop purchased 'Gawsworth', a property which stretched between Outer and Middle Crescents, and named the school after Firbank, his birthplace in Westmorland, England. He chose the motto, Vincit Qui Se Vincit and gave the School his Archbishop crest.
Under the leadership of Maud Cameron, Firbank's first and longest serving Headmistress, enrolments grew and further land was purchased, including the 'Pen-y-bryn' estate and 'Atherstone' in Sandringham. Since its foundation, Firbank has maintained a strong connection with St Andrew's Anglican Church, Brighton where formal school services are held.

Campus

Firbank consists of three educational sections on two campuses: 'Sandringham House', a co-educational primary school in Sandringham offering a quality education; 'Turner House', a primary school for girls; and the Senior School catering for girls only in Years 7 to 12. The houses are Sheppard Tyson, Aylwin Cameron, Tonkin Clarke and Hancock Crowther.

Sport

Firbank has competed in rowing since 1992. It has produced many nationally and internationally recognised swimmers.

Media

The Brighton campus was one of the sites for filming the 2005 television series , in two episodes of the television production Neighbours in 2007, the film Any Questions for Ben? in 2012, Ja'mie Private school girl in 2013 and Upper Middle Bogan also in 2013.

Notable alumnae