Page 17 - Southwell School_The Chronicle July 2020

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF
SOUR SOUTHWELL GIRLS
eptember 1998, saw the beginning of a new era for contribution to school life provided a sound foundation for Southwell School, changes to the Trust Deed were future generations to build on. It stood to reason that for approved and the planning for the introduction of girls any parent to enroll their daughter in a previously all boys
began. With the demand for a girls’ independent education being as strong as the one for boys and with no other alternative independent school in Hamilton, the Trust Board and Fellows supported the need for change.
The challenge of bringing about this significant development into a strongly male-dominated institution required effective organisational management. Not only did this offer the girls a wonderful opportunity, but it secured the economic future and growth of Southwell as a leader in the field of primary education.
In the first year, after eighty-nine years of boys, 124 girls enrolled, including eight boarders– with more on the waiting list. The Oliver Dormitory was refurbished to accommodate the girl boarders. Twenty-five of the girls were seniors whose outstanding character, talent and
school it would require certainty that their daughters would be able to respond to the culture.
The girls’ sports teams made an immediate impact, particularly in netball and the Operas were enlivened; no longer would boys be required to play girls roles!
Today twenty years on Southwell has flourished with its girls and they are crucial to all facets of school life from the arts, academics and sport, including rugby! Co-education has helped contribute to a family atmosphere at Southwell, while still keeping one of the School’s defining characteristics, that is, one of tradition.
Firsts: Head Girl – Samantha Stretton (2001) Female Dux – Jennifer McLean (2003)
Head Chorister – Liana Watson (2000)
Founding Girls (2000)