Kindle the Flame History Book Launches

Celebrating over 120 years of igniting potential and inspiring passions and purpose at Ravenswood.

On 28 January 1901, Mabel Fidler founded Ravenswood School for Girls in a one-room weatherboard cottage with a vision for the School to be more than a ‘dame’ school and a School that taught young women that there was more for them in this world – more to learn, more to achieve and more to contribute to the community. The students were inspired to live lives of meaning and purpose and show love for others.

122 years later, her vision continues. Ravenswood is an award-winning School that is nationally recognised for its ground-breaking Positive Education and Wellbeing approach. The school educates over 1400 girls from Prep to Year 12, igniting within them a passion for excellence so that they fulfil their potential to flourish and lead meaningful lives.

To mark the School’s 120-year anniversary in 2021, the School partnered with The History Smiths to capture its history in an updated history book – Kindle the Flame: Over 120 Years of igniting potential and inspiring passion and purpose, written by author and historian Sophie Church and based on research from Marjorie Binns’ centenary book, Ravenswood, Educating Girls, 1901-2001.

Kindle The Flame celebrates Ravenswood and recounts its milestones by Principal eras with a wide and colourful array of archival photos, ephemera and interesting facts that brings the history and spirit of Ravenswood to life. From the 1920s Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children Cots Fundraising initiative and the joint research satellite project in 1999 with Knox Grammar School and the School of Computer Technology in Russia, to the introduction of the Positive Education and Visible Wellbeing approach to the Ravenswood community in 2016.

Kindle The Flame author Sophie Church said, ‘I like to immerse myself in the context of what I am writing about. What would Mabel Fidler think if she saw her school now? Try to imagine the first eight pupils on 28th January 1901 – none of them knew that they would be making history that day, or that we would be here celebrating their efforts 122 years later,’ she reflected at the Kindle The Flame Senior School Assembly book launch.

‘This is what I love about history. The small moments in the past become so much bigger and make a difference to generations of people. Kindle the Flame is the story of Ravenswood, and especially, of the people that made it what it is today.’

The book was launched to students in February during Junior and Senior School Assembly where Principal Mrs Anne Johnstone and Sophie Church showcased the book through a vibrant Q&A and colourful imagery. Centenary book author Marjorie Binns, Ravenswood Alumni and Ravenswood Fidler Fellows also attended the event.

‘Though our world has changed and technology has radically advanced since the founding of Ravenswood, our values as a School remain the same,’ said Mrs Johnstone. ‘We were founded upon a Christian ethos with a commitment to helping each and every one of our students fulfil their potential and flourish in all aspects of their lives. This shared mindset and approach remains, advancing towards the future together with hope: semper ad meliora – always towards better things.’

Purchase Kindle The Flame here.