Springwood Church of England Grammar School for Girls

Normanhurst which became the Springwood
Church of England Girls Grammar School

Miss Rhoda Griffin was the eldest child of Alexander and Harriet Griffin and her siblings were Harriet, Alexander and Charles.  She established a private venture (non government) girl’s school in ‘Normanhurst’ Springwood around the turn of the century.[1]  Although the foundation date of the original school is purely speculative, local newspapers do imply it was operational by 1903/4.  In fact the Nepean Times reported a serious incident that occurred in 1904 whereby a student avoided a nasty accident when her hair almost caught fire.[2]  More bad luck followed several years later when the entire college burnt down as a result of a fire suspected of originating in the kitchen.[3] Rebuilding obviously proceeded smoothly because the school was back in business by December 1909, when the local tome announced a recital and the annual distribution of prizes.  The school suffered a close call again in 1915 when it was threatened by bush fires raging in the area at the time.

Additional accommodation for the school, located on Bathurst Road (now the Great Western Highway) was provided when Rhoda purchased ‘Woodneck’ in 1907.  She was the owner of both properties when she died at St. Peters in 1920.  After she passed away the property passed to her sister-in-law, May/Marie Louisa (nee Sampson) who had married Miss Griffin’s brother Alexander.[4]
One of Miss Griffin’s pupils was Janet Keats (nee le Brun Brown) who went on to become a noted soprano and actress using the name Barbara Russell. She was the daughter of grazier Walterus le Brun and Emmeline Hanniford (nee Fletcher).  After the death of her mother Janet was sent to and attended the Springwood school for only for a short time c1912/13.  She was not impressed with the school and left due to suffering, amongst other deprivations, the physical discomforts of cold showers which, for obvious reasons, were the bane of many children attending schools in the Blue Mountains at that time.  Janet was removed and sent to board at Gosford Girls School which, in later years, she related was a much happier place.  Janet married composer Horace Keats, one of the founders of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and – in 1946 -  Hugh MaCrae the poet.[5]

Little else is known about the school but it would seem that Miss Griffin may have retired due to ill health because her sister-in-law was in charge of the school by 1918.  However, by 1923 the school was operated by Miss Florence Hutchinson Bradford.

According to information supplied by Ku-ring-gai Council, Florence Bradford founded ‘Willandra College’ in William Street, Hornsby in 1910.  In 1913 the college moved to the corner of Duff Street and Lane Cove Road (now the Pacific Highway) Turramurra where it remained until it closed in 1916.[6]  Miss Bradford relocated to ‘Silva Plana’ in Springwood – the one-time home of John Frazer – but found the home too small for her requirements.  When she took over Miss Griffin’s school she changed the name of the house to ‘Willandra.’

Miss Bradford was the eldest child of Alfred and Lucy (nee Barrett) Bradford and her siblings were Ernest Alfred, Elizabeth and Walter.  Ernest went on to become the Mayor of Hurstville Council 1916-17.[7]

Rate records note the school was known variously as ‘Florence Bradford’s Ladies College’ or ‘Willandra Girls Grammar School’ until it was changed to Springwood Church of England Grammar School sometime before 1938.[8]  A photograph that appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald in 1926 suggests the name change may have occurred around that time as the caption stated the property was under the jurisdiction of the Church of England Anglican Synod.[9]  The Sydney Morning Herald in June reported that the Rev. H. Dempster, rector of Springwood,  resigned as chair of the school council - due to ill health – and even though he remained on the committee his place had been filled by Mr. F.A. Bland, MA, LLB who was a lecturer at the University.[10]

Advertisements appearing in the Sydney papers illustrate the school was well equipped with its own dairy, vegetable gardens and playing fields.  In 1932 Miss E Lance was the senior mistress assisting Miss Bradford who was listed as the Principal.[11] Prior to that, a Miss Ethel St. John Clarke was appointed as senior mistress in 1927.  Although nothing is known about Miss Lance, Miss Clarke was well suited to take on the responsibilities because she had a BA from Melbourne University, had taught overseas and was a member of Oxford University.[12] Miss Clarke retired at the end of 1927.[13]

A former pupil from Miss Bradford’s time was artist, printmaker, designer and teacher, Thea Waddell (nee Hogg).  Thea completed her primary education in the Springwood school until successfully winning a scholarship to attend Kambala at Rose Bay where she received her Intermediate Certificate in 1940.[14]  In adult life Thea (1925-2008) was a patron of the arts in Sydney.

Joan Harris, another student, went on to have a career of some note when she became the youngest person to pass the conveyance-at-law in 1930.[15] Miss Bradford’s obituary implied that her long successful scholastic career had been responsible for placing some of her students - like Thea and Joan -  into useful positions in public, social and philanthropic circles because her devoted training supported high ideals.  The obituary went on to state how the school was founded in ‘Willandra’ at Turramurra before moving to ‘Silva Plana’ and then into Miss Griffin’s former school which was altered extensively before being taken over by the Church of England.[16] 

Newspapers attest to students taking part in inter school sports and various fund raising activities like raising money for Christ Church.[17] An Old Girls Reunion was held at the ‘Feminist Club’ in 1926 where Dorothy Taylor acted as secretary, Grace Hazeldene and Rae McIlivride were treasurers while the committee consisted of Muriel Fleming, Nancy Fleming, Elsa Seaward and Thelma Lansdowne.[18]  In 1928, ex-pupils held an annual event at the ‘Waldorf’ and the proceeds of the event went to the reference library of their former school.[19]  Ex students held a reunion dance at Ambassadors in 1927.  The committee members wore wristlets showing the school colours of navy and red.  Miss Bradford (absent on the evening) was president, Dorothy Taylor treasurer and Rae McIIvride secretary, while other ex students comprised Doris Pryor, Nancy Flemming, Freda Tatham, Nancy Deane, Stella and Freda Deaton, B. Stuckgold Elsa Seaward, Kathleen and Nell Lord, Mavis Pink, May Nancarrow, Lorna Hoddle, Joan Molyneaux, Nancy Armitage, Jean Clarke, Lois Thorpe and Nell Tatham.  The girls were gowns of black lace and taffeta,  olive green romaine, mist blue taffeta, blue beaded georgette and tomato georgette.[20] Events like the foregoing suggest a strong connection existed between students and private venture schools long after their formal education ended.

The death of Miss Bradford was announced in the Sydney Morning Herald on 11^th April 1941.  She was cremated at Rookwood.

Prize winners as per SMH 17.12.1923

Joyce Goodley, Wenda Sweet, Barbara Allen, Mary Allen, Agnes Courtney, Celia Goldstein, Gwen Sinclair, Betty Broad, Nancy Fleming, Freida Tatham, Marie Simonsens, Jean Scott, Norma Spencer, Jean Scott, Blessing Stuckgold, Joyce Evans, Kathleen Lord, Dorothy Taylor, Enid Douglas, Kate Percival, Letty Lambert & Enid Douglas who was Dux for that year.

Prize winners as per SMH 15.12.1926, p. 12

Maisie Pike etc.

Prize winners as per SMH 17.12.1927, p. 12

Lillian Turner, Joyce Ting, Nancy Cook (Dux), Margot Mason, Gertrude Taylor, Violet Gilmour, Alma Cull, Molly Reilly, Heather Johnson, Joan Mason, Nance Speedie, May Kenny, Dorothy Pile, Joyce Day, Wilma Williams, Roberta Garnett, Jean Humphries, Eileen Pike, Elizabeth Ribbert, Hester Stokes, Marie Simonsens, Beryl Neve, May Wiltshire, Adeline Cull, Anne Penny (Dux of School), Winifred Corke & Edna Scott.

Prize winners as per SMH 14.12.1935, p. 23.

Joan Bostock, Valerie Deane, Thorpe Richards, Dawn Reeve, Peggy Bax, Catherine Engisch, Bettine Bostock, Betty Duly, Patricia Plunket, Clive Hodgson, Barbara Cameron, Thea Hogg, Marie Borchard, Jill Sherman, June Peters, Hope Richards, Olive Hodgson, Arthur Pringle, Barbara Crane. (* Boys appear)

Even though some girls won more than one prize their name only appears once in these lists. Furthermore, these are lists of prize winners only therefore they do not reflect enrolment numbers at the school.

Prizes were presented for the usual subjects like maths, French, music and music appreciation, sewing, drawing, sport, religious studies (divinity) and elocution other prizes were given out for obscure subjects like mythology and the general appreciation of art.

It would seem the school may have gone into decline roughly around the time of Miss Bradford’s demise and closed its doors during the latter part of the 1940s.

 

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[1] Bruce Jackson’s notes, vertical files, BMCC local studies collection, Springwood.

[2] Nepean Times 27.8.1904.

[3] Nepean Times, 31.11.1908.

[4] NSW Births Deaths and Marriages.

[5] Australian Composers, Wirripang, Janet Keats: The Early Years, http://www.australiancomposers.com.au/composers/horacekeats.

[6] Joan Rowland, Kr-ring-gai Council Local Studies Librarian, email correspondence with Pamela Smith 28.10.2008.

[7] Hurstville Council Past Mayors, http://www.hurstville.nsw.gov.au/Past-Mayors.

[8] Sydney Morning Herald, 10.4.1920, p. 7; BMCC Local Studies Collection, rate records ‘Willandra.’

[9] Sydney Morning Herald, 12.5.1926, p. 18.

[10] Sydney Morning Herald, 8.6.1926, p. 8.

[11] Sydney Morning Herald, 21.5.1932, p. 22.

[12] Sydney Morning Herald, 13.1.1927, p. 4.

[13] Sydney Morning Herald, 17.12.1927, p. 12.

[14] Sydney Morning Herald, From a brush with blindness evolved a life dedicate to art, 19.8.2008.

[15] Sydney Morning Herald, 26.6.1930, p. 15.

[16] Nepean Times, 10.4.1941, p. 2.

[17] Nepean Times, 24.10.1940, p. 6.

[18] Sydney Morning Herald, 5.6.1926, p. 9.

[19] Sydney Morning Herald, 24.7.1928, p. 5.

[20] Sydney Morning Herald, 3.9.1927, p. 10.

Caroline Mallett (Lady Edgeworth David): In her own right

The digitisation and availability online of national newspapers, as well as magazines like the Australian Women’s Weekly, are providing family and social historians with a clearer picture of past events.  Thus, it is through this medium that we have a more personal view of the appointment of Cara Mallett to Hurlstone Women’s Training School.  In 1882, the Sydney Morning Herald published correspondence written by Sir Henry Parkes, and the Right Hon. A.J. Mundella M.P. who recommended Cara for the appointment.[1] 

The Rev. J.B. Faunthorpe, who was Principal of Whitelands (the college Cara trained at prior to her Australian position) gave her a glowing reference as did the Inspector of Training Colleges in England, Canon Warburton.  The two gentlemen considered she was highly capable and Mundella, an English minister of parliament, suggested that although young, Cara possessed a better knowledge of ‘modern’ teaching methods than older teachers long in the profession.[2]

In her short career Cara had earned a First Class Archbishop’s certificate for religious knowledge, a First Class certificate for advanced botany, a Second Class advanced certificate for physical geography, a Full drawing certificate, First Class advanced animal physiology, a First Class merit certificate & the Lady Sudely prize for proficiency in domestic sanitation and a certificate from the St John’s Ambulance Association.[3]  

Faunthorpe stated, in his testimonial, that she was an excellent teacher, disciplinarian and manager, with some knowledge of the Kindergarten system.[4]  He also mentioned that Cara had more than a fair knowledge of Greek, Latin and French.[5]  The testimonials however also illustrated their regret at losing such a talented teacher.  Another letter written by Saul Samuel, Agent-General, stated that a berth had been secured for Miss Cara Mallett on the Potosi which sailed from England on the 5^th October 1882.[6]  Eventful that voyage would prove to be because it was aboard the Potosi that Cara first encountered Tannant William Edgeworth David (later Sir) who of course was her future husband.[7]

Cara began life as Caroline Martha Mallett.  She was born 26 April 1856 at Southwold, Suffolk in England and was the daughter of fisherman, Samuel Mallett and wife Pamela (nee Wright).[8]  Cara, as she preferred to be called, is said to have been orphaned at a young age and then raised by her grandmother.[9]  However, the 1871 census for England showed that at the age of 14 Cara was living with George and Mary Hurr.[10]  George was also a Suffolk fisherman and the census noted she was the couple’s niece.  She was a pupil teacher.[11]

Jennifer Horsfield, who explored Cara’s life in some detail, suggested Cara exemplified what ‘women could achieve’ when they were ‘empowered by education.’[12]  Horsfield confirmed that Cara, with an annual salary of £300, became ‘one of the colony’s first independent, highly qualified professional women.’[13] As an avowal of her standing she was accepted into the Royal College of Preceptors in 1884, which allowed her to ‘use the initials MRCP after her name.’[14]  Horsfield saw this event as not insignificant in a colony that remained wedded to the idea that a ‘British stamp of approval’ was the ideal.[15]

Cara proved to be a formidable principal and her active pursuit of higher standards and better training for student teachers often led to conflict with senior bureaucrats in the Department of Public Instruction.[16]  Horsfield suggested Cara was both outspoken and innovative and promoted Friedrich Froebel’s radical Kindergarten theories for teaching young children. It is easy to see why Cara was impressed with German educator Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) because he was quoted as saying:

"The destiny of nations lies far more in the hands of women, the mothers, than in the possessors of power, or those of innovators who for the most part do not understand themselves. We must cultivate women, who are the educators of the human race, else the new generation cannot accomplish its task."

Froebel’s methods had an appeal to forward thinking educators like Cara because ‘play’ was considered as vital as more structured activities in the education of small children.[17] Froebel even suggested that childhood play was the ‘highest expression of human development’ because it allowed the ‘free expression of the child’s soul.’[18]  Froebel was not interested in turning out clones but in the ‘wholeness’ of the individual.[19] Cara embraced Froebel’s enlightened teaching methods and opposed rote learning which was taught by most teachers in the ‘Victorian-era.’[20]  Froebel’s methods are still being used to this day. While Cara was a strong advocate for the school curriculum to include the teaching of practical and domestic arts, she was equally supportive of girls being taught science.[21]

When Cara married mining surveyor, T.W. Edgeworth David, in 1885 she was required, as was the unequal tradition then, to resign her Hurlstone position.[22] Horsfield implied that Cara’s early married life, while dedicated to raising three young children, was somewhat lonely in many respects because her husband travelled frequently to ‘far-flung geological field camps.’[23] However, Carol Cantrell painted rather a different story by suggesting that Cara and the children often accompanied Edgeworth David.[24]  Cantrell described a trip they made to Funafuti in 1897, where Cara forged a friendship with locals while suffering the discomfort of ‘rain, mouldy clothes and lack of privacy’ quite cheerfully[25]  This trip obviously provided the material for Mission work in Funafuti, which Cara wrote when she returned home.[26]

Cover of Funafuti
Cara on right of photo

Life gained a more normal pace after Edgeworth David was appointed Professor of Geology at the University of Sydney in 1891.[27]  The couple explored their own social and educational projects but equally, were at the centre of a ‘group of liberal intellectuals who dominated Sydney’s cultural life.’[28]  Thus, the Edgeworth David’s could count among their friends people like William Windeyer and his feminist-campaigner wife, Mary; and Professors Scott, Anderson and MacCallum (academics from the University of Sydney).  The group founded the Australian Home Reading Union (AHRU) in 1892 that aimed to provide courses in science, history and general literature for people who had an interest but otherwise lacked higher education.[29]  The AHRU failed in its bid to attract the interest of working class people who, according to  Horsfield, considered it was a club for the ‘rich and privileged.’[30]

Together with friends like Louisa MacDonald (the first principal of the University Women’s College) and feminist, Maybanke Wolstenholme, Cara supported the setting up of free kindergartens in the inner city.[31] Cara put her skills to good use in the early decades of the twentieth-century when she lectured on topics like ‘Foreign missions & the effect they had on natives,’ ‘National Efficiency,’ and ‘Women War Workers.’[32] 

Newspapers of the day confirm that she was involved with the ‘Women’s Prohibition Movement’ which was a body formed from the amalgamation of the ‘Women’s Christian Temperance Union’ and other like societies.[33]  As president Cara addressed a large gathering at Katoomba in August 1920.[34]  She stated that ‘they had been unable to lift the dead weight of apathy from the general public’ when she addressed another gathering later that same year.[35] It is not clear whether they took up a suggestion made at that meeting that in order to rouse the apathy the ladies should go about ringing bells while carrying large placards declaring the benefits of Prohibition.

When the ‘Wattle Day League’ formed c1910, Cara and feminist campaigner, Rose Scott, became the vice presidents.[36] The League president was Joseph Henry Maiden who was Director of Sydney’s Botanical Gardens. Among other organisations Maiden was one-time president of the Linnean Society 1901-2; president of the Royal Australian Historical Society 1905-07 and president of the Horticultural Society 1903-17.  The objective of the Wattle League, in its formative years, was to instil a sense of national pride and patriotism for their country in Australian citizens.   

Rose Scott’s tireless campaign to improve women and children’s rights also inspired Cara to become a devoted advocate. Cara founded her own branch of the ‘Women’s Political Educational League,’ begun by Scott in 1904, in an effort to alert women to their new responsibilities after gaining the vote.[37] Edith Fry (1858-1940) another devotee of the Women’s League was related to Woodford Academy principal John McManamey. 

During World War One Cara turned the David’s Woodford cottage (Tyn-y-coed) into a Red Cross convalescent home for soldiers.[38]  She was president of the ‘Women’s National Movement,’ which aimed at social reform, like sex education for young children and the eradication of venereal disease.  Cara, given her involvement with the ‘Women’s Prohibition Movement’, strongly supported prohibition and endorsed any measure to bring about six-o’clock closing.[39] 

Cara was divisional commander (1920) and then State commander (1928-38) of the NSW branch of the Girl Guides and organised the purchase of Glengarry at Turramurra for use as training headquarters.[40] This amazing woman spun fleece into wool to knit hundreds of socks for World War Two servicemen and she even had a hybrid tea rose named in her honour.[41]

Edgeworth David once said of his wife ‘Whatever success I may have achieved in life is due chiefly to my wife.’[42] That testimony, glowing as it might be, only sums up a portion of the important contributions made by Cara or Lady Edgeworth David.

Pamela Smith

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[1] Sydney Morning Herald, 30 October 1882, p. 5, copies of correspondence Parkes & Mundella,  testimonials & correspondence from Mallett to Mundella, reference from Rev. J.B. Faunthorpe Principal of Whitelands College to Sir Henry Parkes, reference from Mrs. Newton, Superintendent Whitelands College & Miss Kate Stanley, Governess of Whitelands College, correspondence from Mallett to Parkes, Saul Samuel to Colonial Secretary.

[2] Sydney Morning Herald, Mundella to Parkes (3).

[3] Sydney Morning Herald, copy of reports.

[4] Sydney Morning Herald, testimonial Rev. J.B. Faunthorpe.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Sydney Morning Herald, Saul Samuel to Colonial Secretary.

[7] Carol Cantwell, ‘David, Caroline Martha (Cara) (1856-1951), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Melbourne

  University Press, Volume 13, 1993, pp. 575-576.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] English Census records, 1871 Southwold Suffolk.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Jennifer Horsfield, ‘Cara David A Forgotten Feminist,’ in The National Library Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 1,

   March 2011, p. 24.

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17] Froebel Web, ‘Friedrich Froebel created Kindergarten,’ http://www.froebelweb.org/, updated regularly,

   accessed 24.7.2011.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Jennifer Horsfield.

[21] Ibid.

[22] Ibid.

[23] Ibid.

[24] Carol Cantwell.

[25] Ibid.

[26] Ibid.

[27] Jennifer Horsfield.

[28] Ibid.

[29] Ibid.

[30] Ibid.

[31] Ibid.

[32] Sydney Morning Herald, 7.8.1900,p. 9; 9.11.1915, p. 5; 31.7.1920, p. 15.

[33] Sydney Morning Herald, 10.7.1920, p. 13.

[34] Ibid, 27.9.1920, p. 4.

[35] Sydney Morning Herald, Prohibition, Women Fighters, Picturesque Ideas For the Campaign, 24.11.1920, p. 10.

[36] Ibid, 2.9.1914, p. 8.

[37] Jennifer Horsefield.

[38] Carol Cantrell

[39] Ibid.

[40] Ibid.

[41] Australian Women’s Weekly, 27.6.1942.

[42] Carol Cantrell.