Ravenswood School for Girls

{{Infobox school

|name = Ravenswood School for Girls

|logo = Ravenswood School for Girls Logo.png

|motto = {{langx|la|Semper ad meliora}}

|motto_translation = Always towards better things

|established = 1901{{cite web |url=http://www.schoolseek.com.au/school/ravenswood-school-for-girls |title=Ravenswood School for Girls |access-date=17 January 2008 |work=School Directory |publisher=SchoolSeek |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016184515/http://schoolseek.com.au/school/ravenswood-school-for-girls |archive-date=16 October 2007 }}

|type = Independent, day and boarding

|denomination = Uniting Church{{cite web |url=http://www.sydneyschild.com.au/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=104&Itemid=38 |title=Ravenswood|access-date=29 October 2007 |work=Directory |publisher=Sydney's Child |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071023182723/http://www.sydneyschild.com.au/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=104&Itemid=38 |archive-date = 23 October 2007}}

|slogan = Ravenswood widens her world

|principal = Anne Johnstone{{cite news|title=New principal starts|url=http://newslocal.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=FC1RHFD6P6K5 |access-date=26 February 2016|work=North Shore Times|publisher=Nationwide News PL|date=26 February 2016|page=29}}

|founder = Mabel Fidler

|chair = Gail Kelly

|streetaddress = 10 Henry Street

|city = Gordon

|state = New South Wales

|postcode = 2072

|country = Australia

|coordinates = {{coord|33|45|33|S|151|9|20|E|type:edu_region:AU-NSW|display=inline,title}}

|enrolment = ~1315 (Prep to Year 12){{cite web |url=https://www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au/annual-reports/2021/Ravenswood%20Annual%20Report%202021-Final-HR.pdf |title=Ravenswood School for Girls |access-date=20 June 2023 |work=New South Wales |publisher=Ravenswood |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230303231332/https://www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au/annual-reports/2021/Ravenswood%20Annual%20Report%202021-Final-HR.pdf |archive-date = 3 March 2023}}

|num_employ = ~250{{cite web |url=https://www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au/annual-reports/2021/Ravenswood%20Annual%20Report%202021-Final-HR.pdf |title=Ravenswood Annual Report 2021 |access-date=20 June 2023|year=2023 |work=Our Publications |publisher=Ravenswood School for Girls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303231332/https://www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au/annual-reports/2021/Ravenswood%20Annual%20Report%202021-Final-HR.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2023 }}

|gender= Girls

|colours = Navy blue, gold and red

|website = {{URL|www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au/}}

}}

Image:RavenswoodSchool.JPG

Ravenswood School for Girls (often referred to as Ravenswood or Ravo) is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for Prep to Year 12 girls, situated in Gordon, an Upper North Shore suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Established in 1901 by Mabel Fidler (1871–1960),{{cite Australian Dictionary of Biography|last=Jacobs|first=Marjorie|author-link=Marjorie Jacobs|year=1981|volume=8|title=Mabel Maude Fidler (1871–1960)|id2=fidler-mabel-maude-6362|access-date=23 April 2007}} Ravenswood currently caters for approximately 1100 students from Prep to Year 12, including 20 boarders from Years 10 to 12. The school has been an IB World School since June 2004, and is authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme.

Ravenswood is affiliated with the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),{{cite web |url=http://www.ahisa.com.au/Display.aspx?tabid=2230 |title=AHISA Schools|access-date=17 December 2007 |date=November 2007 |work=New South Wales|publisher=Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071102165134/http://www.ahisa.com.au/Display.aspx?tabid=2230 |archive-date =2 November 2007}} the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA),{{cite web |url=http://www.ipsha.org.au |title=IPSHA |access-date=30 June 2014 |year =2014 |work=New South Wales Branch|publisher=Junior School Heads' Association of Australia}} the Australian Boarding Schools' Association,{{cite web |url=http://www.boarding.org.au/site/community_schools_detail.cfm?schID=18 |title=Ravenswood School for Girls |access-date=3 January 2008 |year =2007 |work=Schools|publisher=Australian Boarding Schools' Association}} the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia,{{cite web|url =http://www.agsa.org.au/members.php?PageID=11&Alpha=R|title =Member Schools|access-date =17 December 2007 |last =Butler|first =Jan|year =2006|work =Members|publisher =The Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia}} and is a member of the Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools (AHIGS).{{cite web |url=http://www.ahigs.nsw.edu.au/DeskTopDefault.aspx?tabid=1 |title=Heads of New South Wales Independent Girls' Schools |access-date=28 November 2007 |work=About AHIGS |publisher=Association of Heads of Independent Girls Schools}}

Awards

Ravenswood has been named one of Australia’s most innovative schools{{cite web |url=https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/best-in-education/5star-innovative-schools-2022/281314 |title=5-Star Innovative Schools 2022 |access-date=3 July 2023 |year=2023 |work=Awards |publisher=The Educator Australia}} for the fourth year by The Educator, selected on the 5-Star Innovative Schools 2022 list. Ravenswood was also named on The Educator 5-start Innovative Schools list in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Ravenswood received four Excellence Awards{{cite web |url=https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/breaking-news/revealed-australian-education-awards-2022-winners/280774 |title=Education Award Winners |access-date=3 July 2023 |year=2023 |work=Awards |publisher=The Educator Australia}} at the 2022 Australian Education Awards: Mrs Anne Johnstone, Principal of Ravenswood, received an Excellence Award for School Principal Of The Year (Non-Government)for her innovative application of Positive Education benefits, improving student and staff wellbeing, academic performance and fostering a collegial culture. Kerrie Besgrove, a Mathematics teacher in the Junior School was also recognised with an Excellence Award for Primary School Teacher Of The Year (Non-Government) for her commitment to student potential and innovative teaching. The School also received an Excellence Award for Boarding School Of the Year and Best Student Wellbeing Program.

In October, 2022, Principal Mrs Anne Johnstone was awarded the Phyllis Evans Medal by the Teachers’ Guild of NSW at the Teachers’ Guild NSW Awards Dinner on World Teachers’ Day.{{cite web |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/special-reports/multi-awardwinning-school-forgirls-of-all-ages/news-story/da0fcff29a1e05ed093953766d91e41f |title=Multi award-winning school for girls of all ages |access-date=10 July 2023 |year=2023 |work=Awards |publisher=The Australian}} The prize is awarded each year to recognise a 'distinguished educator of great standing.' In December, Principal Mrs Anne Johnstone was recognised on the 2022 The Educator Hot List.{{cite web |url=https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/best-in-education/hot-list-2022/281576 |title=Hot List 2022 |access-date=10 July 2023 |year=2023 |work=Awards |publisher=The Educator Online}} The List, which is in its eighth consecutive year, recognises educators who represent the cutting edge of educational excellence in Australia.

History

Ravenswood was established with eight students on 28 January 1901 by the first Headmistress, Mabel Fidler, as a non-sectarian private day school for girls, with preparatory classes for boys. The first classes took place in a schoolroom erected on the block adjacent to Fidler's home, "Ravenswood", in Henry Street, Gordon. The school remains on this site.{{cite web |url=http://www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au/why/history/overview |title=History of Ravenswood |access-date=23 August 2017 |year=2016 |work=History & Location |publisher=Ravenswood School for Girls}}

Fidler retired from Ravenswood in 1925, a year after the school was purchased by the Methodist Ladies' College, Burwood, thus becoming a school of the Methodist Church. Subsequently, the school name was changed to Ravenswood Methodist Ladies' College. At this time, Ravenswood was the largest non-residential, private secondary school in Sydney, with an enrolment of 180, and was highly regarded for the quality of its teaching and its achievements in sport. Ravenswood became a day and boarding school in 1935, with the enrolment of the first two boarders.

The 1960s saw the introduction of the school anthem, Kindle the Flame and a fourth school House, all houses being named by the students after Royal Houses of Britain: Stuart, Tudor, Windsor and York. In 1977, as the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches came together to form the Uniting Church, the school name changed to the current Ravenswood School for Girls. The royal blue and gold uniform was also introduced at this time.

In 2015, the Head Girl of the school used her end-of-term speech to accuse the school of peddling an "unrealistic image of perfection", and providing some students with more opportunities than others because "schools are being run more and more like businesses, where everything becomes financially motivated, where more value is placed on those who provide good publicity or financial benefits."{{cite news|title=Sydney head girl criticises elite Ravenswood school|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-34971956|access-date=7 December 2015|publisher=BBC News|date=7 December 2015}} She also alleged that the school had attempted to censor her speech by requiring prior copies.{{cite news|last1=Dearden|first1=Lizzie|title=Head girl at top private school lets rip at money-obsessed school in leaving speech|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/ravenswood-captains-leaving-speech-goes-viral-after-attacking-financially-motivated-sydney-private-a6763256.html|access-date=8 January 2016|work=The Independent|date=7 December 2015}} Her parents later sued the Uniting Church, which runs the school, because of disciplinary action taken against their younger daughter.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

Campus

File:Ravenswood School for Girls.jpg]]

Ravenswood is located on its original site, a single campus in suburban Gordon. The school has progressively expanded since 1901, with the acquisition of new properties and the upgrading of facilities.{{cite web|url =http://www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au/Home/Default.aspx?PageID=Explore_Facilities |title =Facilities |access-date =17 January 2008 |work =Explore Ravenswood |publisher =Ravenswood School for Girls}}

The school grounds feature quadrangles and courtyards, a multi-purpose complex with heated swimming pool, gymnasium, a "Strength and Conditioning centre" and an Athletics Field. The Ravenswood Centenary Centre includes a Performing Arts theatre, music centre and exhibition areas. Junior School students are catered for within the Junior School centre with a Resource Centre, playground and play equipment area, adventure playground and Assembly Hall.

Curriculum

In Years 11 and 12, students may choose to take either the Higher School Certificate (HSC) course or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Course (IB).{{cite web|url =http://www.ibo.org/school/002109/ |title =Ravenswood School for Girls|access-date =3 January 2008 |work =IB World Schools |publisher =International Baccalaureate Organization}}

Co-curriculum

=Debating=

Ravenswood has a tradition of debating,{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} and students are offered opportunities to participate at competitive or social levels. Ravenswood competes in three inter-school debating competitions: the Independent Schools Debating Association (ISDA), the Archdale Debating Competition and the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA). Girls may also participate in House debating.{{cite web|url =http://www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au/Home/Default.aspx?PageID=Explore_Cocurricular |title =Co-Curricular Activities |access-date =17 January 2008 |work =Explore Ravenswood |publisher =Ravenswood School for Girls}}

= Sport =

Primary School students may partake in competitive sport through the Ravenswood's membership of the Independent Primary Schools Association of Australia (IPSHA). These competitions are usually held on Saturday mornings and include sports such as: Softball, Tennis, Netball, Cricket, Hockey, and Soccer. Secondary School students compete against 28 other similar type schools in the Independent Girls' Schools Sporting Association (IGSSA) competition. These competitions occur on Saturday mornings or in the form of carnivals and include sports such as: Softball, Swimming, Diving, Cricket, Tennis, Hockey, Soccer and Gymnastics. Students who perform well at IPSHA or IGSSA level may be invited to compete in NSW Combined Independent Schools' (CIS) competitions.

Community

It has been nominated for an "Employer of Choice for Women" classification by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).{{cite web|url=http://www.eowa.gov.au/Case_Studies/_docs/Ravenswood%202001.pdf|title=Ravenswood School for Girls|access-date=17 January 2008|year=2001|work=Case Studies|publisher=Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830211943/http://www.eowa.gov.au/Case_Studies/_docs/Ravenswood%202001.pdf|archive-date=30 August 2007}}

Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize

The Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize is an initiative led by Ravenswood School for Girls, which aims to address the paucity of art prizes available for female artists in Australia. It has been run since 2017.{{cite web | title=Advancing art and opportunity| website=Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize | url=https://www.ravenswoodartprize.com.au/artprize/about | access-date=2 February 2023}} It is an acquisitive prize, {{as of|lc=yes|2023}} offering the following prizes:{{cite web | title=Australian art. Any medium. All women.| website=Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize | url=https://www.ravenswoodartprize.com.au/artprize/entries | access-date=2 February 2023}}

Professional Artist Prize — $35,000
Emerging Artist Prize – $5,000
Indigenous Emerging Artist Prize – $5,000
People’s Choice Award – $2,000 (non-acquisitive)

=Winners=

;Professional artist prize

2018: Angela Tiatia{{cite web | title=Past Prizes – 2018| website=Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize | date=15 June 2018 | url=https://www.ravenswoodartprize.com.au/artprize/2018-finalists-1 | access-date=2 February 2023}}
2019: Joanna Braithwaite{{cite web | title=Past Prizes – 2019 | website=Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize | date=31 May 2019 | url=https://www.ravenswoodartprize.com.au/artprize/2019-finalists | access-date=2 February 2023}}
2022: Lara Merrett{{cite web | title=Past Prizes – 2022| website=Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize | url=https://www.ravenswoodartprize.com.au/artprize/2022-finalists | access-date=2 February 2023}}
2024: Gaypalani Wanambi{{Cite web |last=Almanac |first=Art |date=2024-05-12 |title=Gaypalani Wanambi wins Australia’s highest-value women’s art prize |url=https://www.art-almanac.com.au/ravenswood-australian-womens-art-prize-2024-winners/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Art Almanac |language=en-AU}}

Principals

class="wikitable"
Period !Details
1901–1925 \|Mabel Fidler, Founder
1926 \|Ethelwyn Potts
1927–1928 \|Clarice Ashworth
1928–1931 \|Francis Craig
1932–1961 \|Kathleen Crago
1962–1986 \|Phyllis Evans
1987–1992 \|Coral Dixon
1993–2004 \|Lorraine Smith
2005–2015 \|Vicki Steer
2016–present \|Anne Johnstone

class="wikitable"

Period

!Details

1901–1925

|Mabel Fidler, Founder

1926

|Ethelwyn Potts

1927–1928

|Clarice Ashworth

1928–1931

|Francis Craig

1932–1961

|Kathleen Crago

1962–1986

|Phyllis Evans

1987–1992

|Coral Dixon

1993–2004

|Lorraine Smith

2005–2015

|Vicki Steer

2016–present

|Anne Johnstone

Notable alumnae

;Media, entertainment and the arts

Julia Baird – journalist, author and host of The Drum{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}
Ros Bower (1923-1980) TV producer and inspiration for the Ros Bower award for community arts.{{Citation |last=Hull |first=Andrea |title=Helen Rosalie (Ros) Bower (1923–1980) |work=Australian Dictionary of Biography |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bower-helen-rosalie-ros-9554 |access-date=2024-09-12 |place=Canberra |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |language=en}}
Gretel Killeen – author and host of Big Brother{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/19/1019020706097.html|title=One-woman show|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 April 2016}}
Tammin Sursok – Dani from Home and Away and Jenna from Pretty Little Liars{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/date-with-kate-tammin-sursok-20130411-2hozh.html|title=Date with Kate: Tammin Sursok|first=Kate|last=Waterhouse|work=Sydney Morning Herald}}

;Medicine and science

Grace Cuthbert-Browne, MBE – doctor and Director of Maternal and Baby Welfare in the New South Wales Department of Public Health from 1937 to 1964{{cite book|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cuthbert-browne-grace-johnston-12387|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|first=Elspeth|last=Browne|chapter=Cuthbert Browne, Grace Johnston (1900–1988) |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University }}
Winifred Marion Petrie (1890–1966) nurse and hospital founder{{Citation |last=Knowles |first=Beth |title=Winifred Marion Petrie (1890–1966) |work=Australian Dictionary of Biography |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/petrie-winifred-marion-11380 |access-date=2024-02-22 |place=Canberra |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |language=en}}

;Politics, public service and the law

Juanita Nielsen – publisher, anti-development campaigner, heiress to the Mark Foy's retail fortune. Disappeared in mysterious circumstances (believed kidnapped and murdered) from Kings Cross, in 1975. Subject of films, Heatwave (1982) and The Killing of Angel Street (1981){{cite book| last =Rees| first =Peter| title =Killing Juanita: a true story of murder and corruption| year =2004| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=HBC2iZwESi0C&q=%22presbyterian+ladies+college%22&pg=PA15| access-date =18 September 2007| publisher =Allen & Unwin| location =Crows Nest, N.S.W| isbn =1-86508-684-3| page =15}}
Catherine West – Labour Party politician{{cite news|url=http://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/seasonal/election/labour_s_catherine_west_i_know_how_to_beat_liberal_democrats_1_3989028|title=Labour's Catherine West: 'I know how to beat Liberal Democrats'|first=Tim|last=Lamden|work=Newham Recorder}}
Jillian Broadbent – economist, company director, director of Sydney Dance Company{{Cite web|url=https://connectweb.com.au/pages/whos-who-in-australia.aspx|title=ConnectWeb – Who's Who Australia|website=connectweb.com.au}}

;Sport

Tiffany Thomas Kane – world record holding Paralympian{{cite news|last1=Theodosiou|first1=Peter|title=Junior Sports Star Tiffany Thomas Kane is a world record holder|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/junior-sports-star-tiffany-thomas-kane-is-a-world-record-holder/story-fngr8ih3-1227342849343|access-date=19 December 2016|date=7 May 2015|work=North Shore Times}}