1901 – 2023
1901
Ravenswood opened on 28 January with eight students, five girls and three boys, in a small timber schoolhouse built adjacent to the home in Henry Street, Gordon of founding Headmistress, Miss Mabel Fidler. Enrolment doubled by the end of the year. Miss Mabel Fidler was Headmistress from 1901 to 1925.
1903
The original schoolhouse was relocated on the Henry Street site and a new classroom block was built where this small timber building stood. Continued strong enrolments led to an extension of this new building in 1907 to include an Assembly Hall.
1908
Ravenswood Old Girls’ Union (ROGU) was founded on 18 September with Miss Fidler as President, Ethel Vickery, Secretary and Bertha Clay, Treasurer.
1910
A cot was endowed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children. This was the beginning of the Cot Fund the name given to all philanthropic efforts to raise funds for charity by Ravenswood girls.
1913
The earliest prospectus held in the Ravenswood Archives, dated 1913, states that, ‘The School is situated in a beautiful and healthy position…. lighting and ventilation have been specially attended to and the aim of the School is to provide a sound education for Girls, and to train their powers of intelligence.’
1917
Grace Cuthbert completed her Leaving Certificate and studied Medicine along with several other Ravenswood Alumni of this era. She became the first female Resident Medical Officer at Royal North Shore Hospital and served on the School Council from 1960 to 1976.
1919
The Tildesley Shield competition for tennis, still an annual IGSSA sporting event, was founded in 1918 by Miss Evelyn Tildesley, Headmistress of Normanhurst School in Ashfield and Ravenswood won the first of many Tildesley Shields the following year.
1925
Ravenswood is sold to the Methodist Church and founding Principal, Miss Mabel Fidler retires. The Ravenswood Magazine, which later became Nuntius in 1967, was first published. Colour was introduced in 1987 and the first fully coloured edition was not produced until 2005. The Ravenswood Ladies’ Auxiliary was established (and renamed the Ravenswood Parents’ Association in 1991).
1926
Miss Ethelwyn Potts BA was Headmistress from February to December 1926.
1927
Miss Clarice Ashworth BA was Headmistress from January 1927 to June 1928.
1928
Miss Frances Craig BA was Headmistress from July 1928 to December 1931.
1930
The House system was established with the first two Houses named Stuart and Tudor. Betty Youdale and Helen Wilson were the respective House Captains and the traditional tartan for Stuart and various shades of purple for Tudor were adopted.
1932
Miss Kathleen Crago BA was Headmistress from 1932 to 1961.
1935
The first Boarders were accommodated in ‘Sunnyside’ in the care of Rev and Mrs F W Hynes. It was undoubtedly the vision and dedication of Frank Hynes and the support of his family that enabled Ravenswood to survive the uncertain economy of the day and indeed thrive.
1939
The new ‘Main School’ building was opened to house the Headmistress, her deputy and the Senior students. This building served Ravenswood well for 70 years and was demolished in 2009.
1944
The new ‘Main School’ building was opened to house the Headmistress, her deputy and the Senior students. This building served Ravenswood well for 70 years and was demolished in 2009.As a result of increasing enrolments throughout the war years, including a fourfold increase in Boarding, Windsor House, with the colours green, yellow, and brown, was established with Jean McBride the first House Captain. The new ‘Main School’ building was opened to house the Headmistress, her deputy and the Senior students. This building served Ravenswood well for 70 years and was demolished in 2009.
1946
Need for more classrooms led to the purchase of an army hut which was positioned opposite to the Assembly Hall along the driveway from the Henry Street entrance. The hut accommodated not only Junior School classes but also provided a home for some Science classes.
1948
The Boarders’ dining room was opened with the dormitory above near completion. This project had been a long-held dream of Rev Hynes during his 14 years as ‘Principal’ and Kathleen Crago as Headmistress and their vision came to fruition in this year of his retirement. The following year Ravenswood was finally independent of direct ministerial control and Miss Crago assumed complete responsibility of the school under the direction of the School Council.
1952
Although named and opened as the Jubilee Building, albeit the year after Ravenswood’s 50-year celebrations, this wing was known as the Barber Wing, named after the President-General of the Methodist Conference, Dr Calvert Barber, who opened it. ROGU also had reason to celebrate as the small mezzanine room in the new building was allocated to the Union to establish the long-awaited Mabel Fidler Library.
1955
Athletics carnivals had been held for many years and the traditional House March Past and the ‘Fathers and Friends’ BBQ were highlights of the day. As student numbers increased, the traditional Sports Day with the March Past was eventually abandoned due to lack of space, the addition of many more events and changes in venues.
1958
In April, fire almost destroyed the Assembly Hall and after assessing the damage, the decision was taken to construct a new building including Assembly Hall, four classrooms, tuckshop, cloak room and staff room. During this same year, the name Ravenswood Methodist Ladies’ College was changed to Ravenswood Methodist School for Girls.
1959
The Assembly Hall was opened on 17 October and Speech Day ceremonies, the Junior in the morning and Senior in the afternoon, were once again held at Ravenswood after many years at Killara Hall or Lindfield Theatre. 1930: The House system was established with the first two Houses named Stuart and Tudor. Betty Youdale and Helen Wilson were the respective House Captains and the traditional tartan for Stuart and various shades of purple for Tudor were adopted.
1962
Miss Phyllis Evans MBE, BA, MEd, MACE was Headmistress from 1962 to 1986.
Kindle the Flame, lyrics by Joyce Trickett and music by Dulcie Holland, was performed for the first time on Speech Night and the newly formed Senior School Choir flourished under the direction of Miss Kerry Evans. Ravenswood had its first School Captain, Caroline Croker and entered the Inter-School Swimming for the first time.
1965
The newly inaugurated Music Festival which culminated, after weeks of preliminary competition, in an evening of magical performances including the fiercely competitive House Choir competition had already become an annual highlight. In this year the Senior Choir won the Open Choral section of the City of Sydney Eisteddfod and recorded the first of three LP records, entitled A Year of Song 1965.
1967
The Wyndham Scheme saw the introduction of an additional year of secondary schooling. The ‘Class of 1967’ held senior pos1t1ons for two years and 42 students successfully completed the new HSC, “” gaining a total of 38 tertiary scholarships. This year also saw the establishment of the fourth school House, York, with Jolieske Lips the first House Captain.
1970
The new uniform was launched. In a radical change the grey winter uniform, which had made its first appearance in the 1930s, was replaced by a bold new royal blue with gold over-check fabric tunic, royal blue blazer and yellow shirt. The summer blue and white check dress remained with modifications to the style. The ‘bowler’ hats were arguably fashion items providing little sun protection until the more practical navy, all seasons broad brimmed
1971
The new Library opened in a purpose-built, modern building adjacent to the administration block. It was a quantum leap from the previous Mabel Fidler Libraries which were initially a space on a mezzanine floor, fitted out by ROGU, followed by a much larger area above the Science laboratory.
1975
Previously, Ravenswood students who wished to gain the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award had to complete the scheme outside of school. When the ‘D of E’ was introduced as a school programme, many girls took the opportunity to participate and within a few years our first Gold Awards among these candidates were conferred.
1975
After many years of relying on the Gordon Methodist Church Kindergarten and Hall to accommodate the overflowing classes in this fast growing section of the school, the new Preparatory School (Junior School) opened on 3 August. Subsequent additions to this corner of the school saw all Junior School classes vacate the 1939 building which finally became the Languages Centre until it was demolished in 2009.
1977
Ravenswood becomes a Uniting Church School.
1984
The long awaited Multi-Purpose Complex opened and the first in the pool were Year 12 students. The Gymnasium, with viewing gallery, provided a much-needed venue for all indoor sports and activities as well as a venue large enough to accommodate the whole school on ceremonial occasions and weekly Assembly.
1985
School safaris throughout Australia, particularly Northern Territory and Queensland, which had commenced in the 1970s, were in full swing and continued to be a biennial event for over 30 years. When the bookings for these trips opened there was a stampede to secure a seat on the bus and the adventure was always memorable.
1989
Rev Barbara Oldmeadow MDiv (Yale) was inducted 15 School Chaplain on 8 June and was also Coordinator of Religious Studies and Personal Development. This was very significant as Ravenswood had its first female Chaplain and Personal Development and later Pastoral Care became vital components of the curriculum.
1991
Fetes, Fairs, Market and Open Days have all been a part of Ravenswood from the early days. The essential ingredient for the success of these events has always been the involvement of the wider school community, particularly the parent body. Parents have been the backbone of every fundraising appeal, committee and association from the original Ladies’ Auxiliary established in 1925 to the current Ravenswood Parents’ Association, established in 1991.
1993
Mrs Lorraine Smith BSc, DipEd, CertSch Management, MACE was Principal from 1993 to 2004 – “it’s all about the girls”.
2001
Ravenswood celebrated 100 years with a year-long celebration, highlighted by the opening of the new Centenary Centre for Performing Arts and a major Performing Arts programme. This magnificent new complex was opened by the Governor General, Sir William Deane, and the history of Ravenswood, written by Marj Binns and entitled Ravenswood Educating girls 1901-2001, was launched on this momentous occasion.
2002
Introduction of the Fidler Fellowship to honour those people who had left a bequest to the school in their wills.
2003
The Peace Lawn was officially opened by the Federal Minister for education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson MP on 2 May 2003. The name reflected hopes for the future, but also held meaning for Alumni as they remember being in this spot when peace was declared ending World War I. Dr Nelson paid tribute to the late Joyce Trickett, past Ravenswood staff member and co-writer of the school anthem, ‘Kindle the Flame’ by naming the Joyce Trickett Hallin her honour.
2005
Ms Vicki Steer BA (Hons), MA, DipEd, Grad DipEd Admin, MACE, MACEL was appointed Principal.
The introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Year 11 saw a major expansion of the Global Experience programme and more links to international schools followed. Ravenswood Foundation scholarships had assisted exchange students to Osaka and soon other exchanges followed to the UK, NZ, Germany, the USA, and Canada.
2007
Entering the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge for the first time provided yet another opportunity for students to express their creativity. In a masterful performance of Media Circus Rocks, the girls won the Grand Final of the Raw Division (absence of a set) at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
Designers undertook extensive research into the history of the Ravenswood uniform and developed a completely new uniform concept. They were mindful of returning to the original school colours of navy blue and gold and presented a totally coordinated range throughout the seasons, school year groups and all sporting activities.
2008
The Ravenswood Old Girls’ Union (ROGU) celebrated 100 years with a weekend of events in August, including a grand dinner, a ‘Back to Ravenswood’ church service followed by school tours and a booklet recording the first 100 years was produced to mark the occasion. The Chinese Tallow Tree was planted on 14 March 2008 at a Cocktail Evening to commemorate the Centenary of the Ravenswood Old Girls’ Union and to recognise the contribution of the Old Girls to the life of the School.
2010
Performances of Les Miserables were staged in the Centenary Centre Auditorium and played to packed audiences. This production lifted the Performing Arts at Ravenswood to a new level of professionalism, both on stage and behind the scenes.
The popular film Night in the Museum provided inspiration to transform the Gymnasium into a library for this wonderful event. Members of the Ravenswood community generously supported auctions while dancing the night away at the Night in the Library.
2011
Ravenswood celebrates 110 years and the Mabel Fidler Building opens on 25 August. This state-of-the-art complex contains both Senior and Junior Resource Centres, administration, classrooms, cafeteria and much more, all connected by spacious courtyards and set in a beautiful landscape.
In 2011, Ravenswood girls became the first on the North Shore to join the Knox Grammar boys in E Company of the Australian Army Cadets.
2012
Ravenswood and Knox Grammar students travelled on the first combined trip to Cambodia, where they taught English to primary-aged children. FIND SOMETHING ELSE
2014
Ravenswood became the first independent school to open a ‘Confucius Classroom’, a collaborative venture with the Confucius Institute at UNSW and a language and cultural operational branch of the Chinese Ministry of Education. The classroom was visited by Madame Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping.
2015
Opening of War Memorial on Peace Lawn. Situated on the Peace Lawn and unveiled on Remembrance Day, the memorial incorporated recycled bricks from around the school, and a bronze plaque mounted on a piece of convict-hewn sandstone. Trench maps from a range of campaigns in the war were incorporated as a design feature, and sandblasted glass panels inscribed with text enabled the surrounding landscape to become part of the installation.
2016
Mrs Anne Johnstone, BA/BLLB (Hons), MAAP, GradDipEd became Ravenswood’s 10th Ravenswood Principal.
2017
An introductory positive education and wellbeing curriculum was implemented for students from Kindergarten to Year 10. By integrating positive education into the curriculum with its underlying philosophy of improved wellbeing leading to improved academic performance, the hope was to give Ravenswood students strategies to harness their individual potential. Later in the year, Ravenswood hosted the national Positive Education Schools Association PESA conference.
Opening of the science precinct – named the Petre Innovation Centre in honour of the Petre family and especially the former Chair of Council, Mr Daniel Petre featuring state of the art laboratories and equipment, the new centre was a beacon for girls’ engagement with STEM.
2017
Establishment of the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize, supported by the Foundation, demonstrated to broadening community connections, and to advancing opportunities within the arts, with women artists historically underrepresented in galleries
2018
Inaugural Love Ravo Day, a day designated to the celebration of the school community featured the unveiling of the new RAVO statue by Will Colhoun, inspired by American pop artist Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture series of 1970, one of which Principal Anne Johnstone has regularly walked past during her time studying at the University of Pennsylvania
Introduction of the Gail Kelly Making a Difference Award. Former Ravenswood parent and CEO of Westpac, Gail Kelly who became chair of Council in 2021, designed the award to encourage the development of philanthropic and leadership skills.
2020
Opening of the Senior Learning Centre (SLC) on Wednesday 6 May, coinciding with the return to school of our Year 12 girls for face-to-face teaching, after weeks of learning online. Built over 12 months, the structure was designed to complement and reflect the history of Ravenswood development, from small cottages to large modern buildings. It features a striking distressed copper façade that is both classic and contemporary in tone. The Senior Learning Centre was designed by architectural firm BVN, which is also responsible for Ravenswood’s Mabel Fidler building, which won the Sir John Sulman Medal for public architecture in 2012.
2021
In 2021, Love Ravo Day was dedicated to celebrating 120 years of educational excellence at Ravenswood. With happy coincidence, the school year commenced on 28 January, exactly 120 years to the day after Mabel Fidler had first opened the doors of her wooden school room.
2022
Ravenswood was featured in the Queen’s Official Platinum Jubilee Pageant Album in recognition of our pioneering work, taking Ravenswood towards better things – and for our broader contribution to the community and Commonwealth through Positive Education. The event held in June was attended by our Principal Mrs Anne Johnstone.
2023
To mark Ravenswood’s 120-year anniversary, the School partnered with research and writing service The History Smiths to capture the School’s history in an updated book. Kindle the Flame: Over 120 years of igniting potential and inspiring passion and purpose,by author and historian Sophie Church, celebrates Ravenswood and recounts the milestones of the School according to Principal eras, with a colourful array of archival photos and ephemera that brings the history of Ravenswood to life. The book was launched to the Ravenswood community in February 2023 to excited Ravenswood Alumni, students, and staff. Principal Mrs Anne Johnstone and author Sophie Church conducted a vibrant Q&A about the book, including colourful photographs. Centenary book author Marjorie Binns also attended the special event.
2024
The Knox Grammar School Cadet Unit was renamed the Knox Ravenswood Cadet Unit. Since 40 Ravenswood students first joined the Knox Grammar School Cadet Unit in 2011, our valued collaboration has gone from strength to strength. Ravenswood’s participation has grown to almost 350 students from Years 8-12. The Knox Grammar School Cadet Unit is the largest Cadet Unit in Australia with nearly 1300 cadets. The announcement of the renaming reflects the Ravenswood and Knox Grammar collaborative spirit and commitment to purposeful endeavours as brother-sister schools.
