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Heritage Guide to The Geelong College






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CO-EDUCATION

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The first two Campbell House
Girls with Joan Sweetman, 1974.

CO-EDUCATION


Co-education at Geelong College was first known to have been formally discussed by the Geelong College Council at its meeting of 22 October, 1970 although discussions, initiated by Geelong College, had taken place with Morongo since at least 1968 regarding increased co-operation between the two Schools.

The College Chairman however, reported in August 1972, that there appeared little desire on the part of Morongo Council to enter into further discussions about greater co-operation and from this date onwards there appeared a much stronger commitment towards the introduction of co-education. At the following meeting in November, the College Council began planning in detail for the introduction of female students and in July 1973, resolved to become fully co-educational. At its meeting in August, the Council agreed to open all sub-primary and Grades 1, 2 and 3 for admission of girls in February 1974 and to construct an additional classroom at Campbell House in time for the entry of girls to Campbell House at the commencement of 1974. By February of 1974 the Council had forgone all reservations on phasing in co-education and resolved to open the entire School for female enrolment in 1975.


First Preparatory School Girls, 1976.

First Preparatory School Girls, 1976.


Pegasus of 1974 noted that enrolments were to be accepted for girls of all ages and that the regulations for all scholarships, bursaries have been extended to include girls. Five girls started at Campbell House in 1974 and the following year 58 girls entered the Senior School. Boarding for girls commenced in 1976 with fourteen girls ranging from 11 to 17 accommodated in the main School-block in bed-studies. They were under the supervision of a married housemaster and a matron who was also a trained nurse. One girl however, Sally Carruthers became the first boarder when she stayed for a short period in 1975.

Minutes of a staff meeting in July 1974 indicated the challenges of the changes to co-education for staff, with discussion of uniforms, curriculum, physical education, adventure activities, facilities and pastoral care requirements for the newly enrolling girls. Of particular concern was how to manage boy-girl relationships.

First Senior School Girls, 1976.

First Senior School Girls, 1976.



























Sources: Ad Astra August 2001 pp 6-7.
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