5 minute read
2000s
Number of students: 1238
Principal: Dr Pauline Turner (1996–2012)
In the 2000s, a growing focus on social responsibility and experiential learning saw new outreach programs, off-site learning experiences and environmental studies introduced.
50 years of Ad Astra
Ad Astra, the College community magazine, celebrated 50 years of publication in 2009.
First produced in1959 as the ‘Newsletter of the College’, it was originally a four-page, black and white foolscap-sized newsletter. It has since evolved into a full colour Community Magazine. With 48 pages, the December 2009 edition was distributed to almost 10,000 households.
From June 1966 several features such as personal news previously published in Pegasus Magazine were transferred to Ad Astra.
International boarding numbers increased
Boarding numbers of international students began to rise in the early 2000s, jumping from 7 in 2000 to 37 in 2006.
Fulfilling Lives
A Year 10 community outreach pilot program was introduced in 2002. By 2008, it had grown to become the now long-running Fulfilling Lives program we know today.
The Fulfilling Lives programs were designed to expose students to activities, places and investigations that would allow them to think about their own, and others’, place in the world.
- Diane Black, Pegasus 2008
Keith Humble Centre opened
Named in memory of musician, composer and conductor, Keith Humble AM (19271995) this purpose built facility was made possible by the extraordinary vision and generosity of his wife, Jill Humble. It was officially opened by Jill in 2006.
Within the Centre is the The George LogieSmith Auditorium and the Costa Theatre, both of which were supported by generous donations from our community: former Glee Club members and the Costa Family.
It provides state of the art facilities in an environment that, in a very short period of time, has come to radiate creativity, talent, inspiration and the passion of performance.
-Theresa Best, Director of Community Relations, 2006
Year 4 Enviro Program
The Year 4 Enviro Program began with 48 students in 2001.
Students spend their year at the Enviro Centre engaged in a program that allows them to participate in tactile outdoor experiences, alongside traditional learning. Its aim being to develop empathy and build respect for the natural diversity of life on earth.
We hope that in years to come, they will be informed about the need for environmental action and passionate enough to become involved in caring for our planet.
-Phil Armitage, Preparatory Science Coordinator, 2001
Art in the City
The ‘Art in the City’ Year 9 program started in 2004 and was soon expanded to include other subjects, becoming City Week.
We celebrated 100 years of APS sport
In 2008, the College celebrated 100 years of particpation in the 'Associated Public Schools' (APS) Sporting Competition, competing in the sports of Football, Cricket and Rowing.
In 1908, there were six schools: Geelong College; Geelong Grammar; Melbourne Grammar; Scotch College, Wesley College and Xavier College.
This was further enlarged in 1958 to the 11 participating schools we have today.
Our first-ever student from China was also our 2003 Dux
Annie Xin (OGC 2003) moved to Australia from China, and started at the College as a boarder in Year 11. In 2003, she achieved a perfect study score (50) in Biology, and scored above 40 in Chemistry, English (ESL), Specialist Mathematics and Physics. An ENTER score of 99.85. A particularly impressive achievement when you consider that English is not her first language.
We were delighted that the 2003 Dux, Annie Xin, our very first student from mainland China, was named the top international student in Victoria.
- Dr Pauline Turner, Pegasus 2004
Our first football flag in 43 years
In 2006, the Boys’ 1st Football Team won its fourth APS Football Premiership - but there was a twist.
In a new system for the APS, the top four teams after eight rounds played each other to decide the Premier. This meant College shared the win, jointly, with both Scotch College and Haileybury College.
It was the first time since 1963 the team had won a premiership.
The Morrison Society
In 2009 The Geelong College Foundation launched the Morrison Society, recognising members of the College community who are leaving a bequest to the school.
Meanwhile, in wider Australia:
2000
Scientists cloned the first sheep in Australia.
The Olympic Games were held in Sydney.
2001
Lleyton Hewitt became the youngest player to achieve world number one tennis ranking, aged 20.
2003
Australian start-up ‘Where 2 Technologies’ developed the platform that would become Google Maps.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples were adopted by the general assembly.
Victorian Supreme Court Chief Justice, Marilyn Warren, became the first woman to head an Australian superior court.
2007
The first smartphone (iPhone) was released.
2008
Quentin Bryce became the first female Governor-General of Australia.
