The Advanced School for Girls was a

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

n State school whose purpose was to prepare girls to qualify for entry to the

University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public research university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on N ...

. Founded in 1879, the school merged with

Adelaide High School Adelaide High School is a coeducational state high school situated on the corner of West Terrace and Glover Avenue in the Adelaide Parklands. Following the Advanced School for Girls, it was the second government high school in South Australi ...

in 1907.

History

From its inception, the University of Adelaide welcomed female students, although degrees were not available to females until 1880. At first, the only schools preparing girls to Matriculation level were small private colleges such as Miss Martin's School and Parliament considered that education of women should be on a more structured basis, and the "Education Act of 1875" provided for establishment of a government-funded Advanced School. The first appointments were for a headmistress and assistant head: Jane Stanes and Edith Cook (both transferred from the Grote Street Model School), followed by Rene-Armand Martin (French). Stanes resigned the following year, ostensibly due to ill-health, and Cook was promoted to head in 1882. A Government regulation, stipulating that the head must be aged 25, had to be waived for her to be appointed, as she was only 20. The Minister of Education ( Thomas King) did not approve, but his successor ( J. Langdon Parsons) pushed it through. The school, in the two-storey former residence of Dr. Lambert Butler, Franklin Street, was opened on 7 October 1879 with sixteen students passing the entrance examination. Additional appointments were made in 1880: Madeline Rees George (German), Ellen Thornber (assistant), Kate C. Brown (assistant). By September 1880 the number of students was 92. The following year, there were more applicants than places. By 1882, girls from the school were prominent in the Matriculation results: two of the top nine were from the Advanced School. In 1883, both recipients of the Sir Thomas Elder prize for physiology were students of the Advanced School. Many criticisms were leveled against the school: that it robbed educated widows of a source of income as tutors; that by conducting an entrance examination and by not conducting junior classes it had an unfair advantage over other schools; and that by offering French and German rather than the more difficult (and essential for University degrees) Latin and Greek, it was gaining an inflated reputation and at the same time robbing talented women of opportunities. In 1891 a new purpose-built building on

Grote Street Grote Street is a major street running east to west in the western half of Adelaide city centre, in Adelaide, South Australia. It is on the northern border of Chinatown and the Adelaide Central Market, and is a lively centre for shopping and r ...

was completed. The move from Franklin Street enabled the number of students to be raised from 124 to 150. This building still stands today (2016).

Combining with Adelaide High School

A.S.G. merged with the (co-educational)

in 1907 under headmaster W. J. Adey, later Director of Education. It took over the three adjacent buildings in Grote street which were previously (from east to west): Advanced School for Girls, Teachers' Training College, and Grote Street Model School. In 1951 the school divided into the Adelaide Boys' High School and the Adelaide Girls' High School under headmistress M. Veta Macghey BA. MA. Dip. Ed.

Staff

*Edith Alice Bowen ( –1932) married George Craig in 1892; appointed assistant 1882 *Kate Cormac Brown ( –1891) appointed assistant 1880, then at private school; suicide 1891 *Sarah Cargill: appointed head teacher June 1880, ex-Brisbane Grammar School. * Edith Agnes Cook (1859–1942) married Samuel Grau "Sam" Hübbe ( – c. 15 October 1900) in 1885. She was the first female student at Adelaide University, second headmistress of ASG, later of Burnside school. Her daughter, Dr. Edith Ulrica "Rica" Hübbe (1885–1967), was a student *Katherine Dixon Cook ( –1960), sister of Rica Cook, was music teacher until merger with Adelaide High School *Charlotte Jane Ellershaw (1865–1954): pupil teacher in 1882 * Madeline E. Rees George ( –1931) : German teacher; in 1880 left to conduct Miss Woolcock's School in North Adelaide, returned 1886 as headmistress, then head of Adelaide High School. *Agnes Marie Johanna Heyne (1871–1958) married Rev. Caspar Dorsch in 1893 *Laura Olga Hedwig Heyne (1873–1959) with Advanced School 1900–1908, then Adelaide High. * Caroline Jacob (1861–1940) in December 1897 took over the Misses McMinn's

Tormore House School Tormore School was a private boarding and day school for girls in North Adelaide, South Australia. History Tormore House had its origins in a small school for girls set up by Elizabeth McMinn (c. 1840 – 26 December 1937) and her two sisters Sa ...

in North Adelaide; she took over Miss Thornber's School in December 1906 *Ellen Magdalen Lewis (1848–1934) drawing teacher 1888–1892 *René Amand Martin: French master. One of the first appointments, and one of the few males, but may not have taken up position. *Minnietta Maughan ( –1947) married Rev. Thomas McNeil on 6 April 1912. She was a daughter of Rev.

James Maughan Rev. James Maughan (October 1826 – 8 March 1871) was a Methodist minister in Adelaide, South Australia. His name was commemorated in the Maughan Church, Franklin Street, which has since been demolished. Biography James Maughan was born at ...

. *Caroline Ellen "Carrie" Sells (1868–1956) married James Sadler on 18 June 1932. She was last surviving ASG teacher *Elizabeth Emily Sheppard (1866–1939) pupil teacher 1882. *Jane Sarah "Jeanne" Stanes (1846–1932) married Henry Alfred Doudy (1849–1931) in 1880. She wrote and a book on early Australian history, ''The Magic of Dawn'', credited as "Mrs Henry Doudy". *Ellen Thornber (1851–1947) was daughter of Catherine Maria Thornber (–1894) who in 1855 founded "Mrs. Thornber's School" at Gover (later renamed Thornber) Street, Unley Park. Ellen was second mistress of ASG, then ran her mother's school with two sisters Catherine Maria Thornber (died 1924) and Rachel (died 1930) until December 1906, when it was taken over by Caroline Jacob to become part of

Notable alumnae

* Ada Mary a'Beckett M.Sc. CBE (1872–20 May 1948), née Lambert, biologist, first woman lecturer at Melbourne University. *Dr. Eleanor Allen, psychologist of Adelaide * Ethel Ambrose *

Mabel Jewell Baker Mabel Jewell Baker (30 December 1885 17 June 1967) was an Australian headmistress. Early life Baker was born on 30 December 1885 in east Adelaide. She was the third of nine children of William Kendall Baker and Harriett Ann (née Chaston). Ba ...

, head mistress of Walford School, Unley * Graemme Barbour, senior mistress of the Adelaide High School *Dr.

Phoebe Chapple Phoebe Chapple (31 March 1879 – 24 March 1967) was a South Australian medical doctor, decorated for her heroic service in France during World War I. Early life and education Phoebe was born in Adelaide, South Australia, 31 March 1879. She wa ...

* Florence Cooke Mus. Bac.(3 June 1888 – 11 December 1953), a noted violinist and teacher of music *Dr. Constance May Cooper married Arthur Kent Newbery in 1909 *

Bessie Davidson Bessie Ellen Davidson (1879–1965) was an Australian painter known for her impressionist, light-filled landscapes and interiors. Early life and education Bessie Ellen Davidson was born on 22 May 1879 in North Adelaide, South Australia, to a fa ...

, an artist of European reputation *Dr. Eulalie Dawson (née Burnard) * Violet de Mole, well known as a teacher of French in Adelaide * Edith Emily Dornwell, in 1885 the first woman graduate in science at Adelaide University; married Lionel Charles Raymond in 1895, and moved to New South Wales * Edith Josephine Gardner married Cuthbert Viner Smith on 2 April 1910 * Elsie Hamilton, another gifted musician * Charlotte Harry OBE, married stationer James Leonard Leal in 1911 * Florence Haycraft BSc. * Agnes Marie Johanna Heyne BA married Rev. Caspar Dorsch, mother and stepmother of a remarkable family * Ethel Adelaide Hinde née Ayliffe (1868–1944), aka Ethelwyn Hamilton Hinde, founder and Principal of Riverside School * Stella Howchin B.Sc. *Dr. Edith Ulrica "Rica" Hübbe (1885–1967) *

Doris Egerton Jones Doris Egerton Jones (23 December 1889 – 30 September 1973), also known as Doris Callaghan and Doris Callahan, was an Australian writer of novels and plays. Early life Egerton Jones was born in Mitcham, Adelaide, in 1889. She attended t ...

(1889–1973), Sydney author. Wrote novel ''Peter Piper'' (1913), and plays ''The Flaw'' (a 1923 a collaboration with

Emélie Polini Emélie Adeline Polini, generally written as Emelie, (24 March 1881 – 31 July 1927) was an English stage actress with a considerable career in Australia. Polini was born in Steyning, Sussex, a daughter of theatrical manager Giovanni Marie ...

) and ''Governor Bligh'' (1930) produced by Alan Wilkie. *Dr.

Helen Mayo Helen Mary Mayo, (1 October 1878 – 13 November 1967) was an Australian medical doctor and medical educator, born and raised in Adelaide. In 1896, she enrolled at the University of Adelaide, where she studied medicine. After graduating, May ...

*Dr. Gertrude Mead daughter of Rev. Silas Mead *Dr.

Violet Plummer Violet May Plummer (8 July 1873 – 17 June 1962) was a South Australian medical doctor, one of the first women from the University of Adelaide to graduate in medicine, he first was Laura Margaret Hope née Fowler">Laura_Margaret_Hope.html" ;"t ...

(1887–1890) * E. Dorothea "Dora" Proud DSc., CBE., first winner of the Catherine Helen Spence Scholarship. She married Gordon A. Pavy in 1917 * Maude Mary Puddy AMUA, Mus. Bac., pianist, with a reputation in Europe as well as in Australia * Bessie Rischbieth, noted feminist * Susie Solomon BSc. * Agnes Louisa Storrie for 17 years contributed poems to ''The Australasian''. She married John Wilson Kettlewell in 1890 *Anna Trudinger BA, missionary to China where she married Rev. William Robertson Malcolm, settled in NZ. * Constance Mary "Connie" Verco married architect Eric Habershon McMichael in 1909 *Nellie Walker B.Sc. * Dora Frances Williams (1874 – 13 November 1950) married

Thomas Slaney Poole Thomas Slaney Poole (3 July 1873 – 2 May 1927), commonly referred to as "Justice Poole" was a South Australian lawyer. History Poole was born in Strathalbyn, South Australia, the eldest son of Frederic Slaney Poole "Canon Poole" (9 July 1845 � ...

in 1903 * Eva Roubel Williams married Frederick Augustus d'Arenberg, both daughters of the Rev. Francis Williams, a former head master of St. Peter's College *Charlotte Elizabeth Arabella "Lottie" Wright (1867 – 15 March 1951), first woman to gain her BA. at Adelaide University; proprietor and principal, Semaphore (Girls) High School 1890–99; married Frederick A. Graham in Kalgoorlie 1900, secretary WFMA (Women's Foreign Missionary Auxiliary), peace activists Subiaco.

External links

Relevant photographs held by the State Library of South Australia:
Miss J. Staines
first headmistress of the Advanced School for Girls
Mrs Hubbe
second headmistress of the Advanced School for Girls
Miss M. Rees George
headmistress of ASG 1886–1908
Staff of ASG c. 1900
Back row (from left): Miss M. Maughan, Miss Ethel Holder, Miss Ellen Lewis. Front row (from left): Miss Marion R. George, Miss M. Rees George, Miss C.E. Sells, Miss K. Cooke (Mus Bac.)
Charlotte E. A. Wright, B.A.
the first graduate of the Advanced School for Girls
Stella Howchin, B.SC.Annie M. Clark, B.A.Maude M. Puddy, Mus. Bac.Annie Lane, M.A.Violet M. Plummer, MB, BS.Eulalia H. Burnard, MB.Isobel Sanders, B.A.A group of women graduates
(from left) Mary Kirby B.Sc., Susie Solomon B.Sc., Florence Haycraft B.Sc, and Annie Trehy B.Sc., all former students of ASG.
Dr Helen MayoOlga G. MawbyAgnes M. T. Heyne B.A.C.E. Sells
Senior Mistress at ASG
Euphemia Thodosia Blair, M.A.Laura Heyne M.A.Margaret Lipsham B.A.Ida Viner Smith B.A.Constance M. Cooper B.Sc. MB.E. Dorothea Proud
E. Dorothea Proud, daughter of Cornelius Proud and Emily Good. B.A.(1906), D.Sc.(1916), C.B.E.(1917), graduate and former ASG student.
Stella M. Churchward B.Sc49th anniversary of ASGHilda FarskyAda Mary LambertElizabeth E. Weld M.B. B.S.Hilda Blanche Walter M.A.Graeme M. Barbour M.A.
Senior Mistress
Vida M. Wilks B.A.M. Chapple B.A.Franziska Kelly, nee Puttmann, Mus. Bac.Phoebe Chapple B.Sc.Anna Trudinger B.A.F.E. Cooke Mus.Bac.The Proud sisters
Three graduates and former ASG students (from left): E. Dorothea Proud (later Mrs Gordon Pavy) B.A. 1906, D.Sc London 1916, C.B.E. 1917; Millicent F. Proud (later Mrs Paul Furrer) M.A. 1915, Dip.Ed London 1922; Katherine L. Proud (later Mrs A. A. Magarey) A.C.U.A. 1910
Edith E. DornwellLast students and staff of ASGEllen I. Benham B.ScNellie Walker B.ScEarliest home of ASGDr Edith Ulrica Hubbe, B.A., M.B. B.S.
head of ASG
ASG building

References

{{Authority control Educational institutions established in 1879 Secondary schools in Adelaide 1879 establishments in Australia 1907 disestablishments in Australia History of Adelaide Defunct girls' schools in Australia Defunct schools in South Australia