2010s

Number of students: 1201

Principal: Dr Pauline Turner (1996–2012)

Andrew Barr (2013-2015)

Dr Peter Miller (2016-present)

The 2010s were marked by 150th anniversary celebrations, redevelopment across campuses and renewed commitment to community care.

Leadership

Change of Principal

After a 17 year tenure as Principal, Pauline Turner handed over to Andrew Barr.

During his tenure Andrew was forward-thinking in both curriculum and facility enhancement. In addition to a number of other initiatives, he oversaw the College’s purchase of the Cape Otway site, introduced the Cre8 program and completed the redevelopment of the Midde School.

Dr Peter Miller then commenced as the next Principal in 2016.

An experienced and highly regarded educational leader, Dr Miller quickly developed a rapport with the community.

Dr Miller’s warm and engaging personality, and encouragement for us all to have confidence in ourselves, has created a positive atmosphere across the school.

-Lilli Balaam (OGC 2016), Co-Captain 2016

OGCA’s second female President

The OGCA appointed its second female President in 2018, Thane Joske (OGC 1990).

The House of Guilds closed in 2011

Established in 1935 during an era filled with what then-Principal Rev. Rolland referred to as ‘the dull brown of the average school curriculum’, the House of Guilds (HOG) offered experiential learning opportunities to students that they had never had before.

It was a place where students, and particularly boarders, could pursue hobbies and crafts’ such as leatherwork, woodwork, modelling and engineering, pottery, radio, photography, printing, bookbinding, collecting and display, and horticulture.

The original building was a house on the corner of Talbot Street and Mercer Parade. The HOG moved to the Austin Gray Centre in 1980.

With the rapid changes in curriculum together with the relative rise in the numbers of day students many of the activities of the House became absorbed into the mainstream curriculum in the Austin Gray Centre, removing the need for the Centre to continue as a separate entity.

THE HOG WAS ESTABLISHED:

to give the schoolboy facilities for the expression of his natural, inherent talents and ideas which, in the classroom would probably lie dormant, repressed and undeveloped.

- Principal Rev. Francis Rolland

Expansion of Design and Creative Arts

The Austin Gray Centre was redeveloped in 2011 to provide two additional classrooms, a gallery area, and an expanded area for photography and woodworking.

It became know as the ‘Austin Gray Centre for Design and Creative Arts.

The refurbishment of the Austin Gray Centre into the vibrant student-focused Centre for Design and Creative Arts has given current and future College students every opportunity to truly reach for the stars.”

- Kevin Jess, Head of Design and Creative Arts, 2012

Our school song

Our school song, "Sic Itur Ad Astra", was written by renowned Australian composer, Paul Jarman to commemorate the 2011 Sesquicentenary of the College. It was composed for massed choir, piano and symphony orchestra and first performed at the 2012 Foundation Concert.

Scan the QR code or click the link to listen to the premiere performance: bit.ly/SicItur

“The song is a true reflection of this school; teachers, students, Old Collegians, parents and the local community all contributed their thoughts for Paul to funnel, shape and organise into a fitting tribute.”

- Michael Betts (OGC 1965), Foundation President in 2013

The Rainbow Alliance began

A significant moment in our history was the establishment of the Geelong College Rainbow Alliance (GCRA) in 2019. Established by teacher, Lachy Joyce, it is a student-led group that promotes a supportive and inclusive environment for all - in particular LGBTQIA+ students and allies.

The existence of the GCRA emphasises our ongoing commitment to progress, diversity and inclusivity.

Top: The GCRA in 2019 Bottom: The 2022 GCRA Rainbow Bake Sale, which raised money for Australia’s LGBTQIA+ organisation, Minus18

Thanks to the unwavering support of staff and through fortnightly meetings with our student members, the group has developed ways to celebrate and further bolster the school’s commitment to its values as well as raising awareness for LGBTQIA+ causes.

- Connor McGucken (OGC 2019)

I’ve really appreciated the true sense of belonging the group has provided me...The GCRA means a lot to me, to my family and to who I want to be.

- Sabrina Horne (OGC 2023)

Scan the QR code or click the link to read more about the GCRA: bit.ly/_GCRA

The start of the Junior School Redevelopment

In 2014, Campbell House became The Geelong College Junior School.

In 2018, major redevelopment began. The first stage of the Junior School redevelopment, Wayaperree, was opened in 2019.

Speaking on behalf of the children and staff, each time we enter this building, we look up, around and feel amazed and grateful for our space – a place to meet and be together.

Sondra Wolfenden, Head of Junior School, 2019

Reconciliation Action Plan launched

A whole-school Reconciliation Action Plan was launched in 2019. The Geelong College Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is our formal statement of commitment to reconciliation approved by Reconciliation Australia.

What we see in this plan, we aim to do and improve on each day. It is particularly important that our young people take leadership of our country’s journey to reconciliation, and it is our role as educators, and as a community, to ensure they learn the stories, develop understanding and empathy, and respect the wonderful culture of our First Nations people.

- Dr Peter Miller

Loud Fence Initiative 2018

In recognition of the College’s work to address historical harm at the school, a student led ‘Loud Fence*’ demonstrated the College community support for survivors.

It was located outside the College Chapel on the corner of Aphrasia and Talbot Streets. After the ribbons had been displayed for a number of months it was decided to create a permanent installation with the ribbons which is housed in the Chapel.

* A Loud Fence is a symbolic form of protest or support, where individuals tie brightly colored ribbons to a fence, to draw attention to a specific issue and show solidarity.

The Loud Fence was ‘a defined moment to quietly recognise the survivors of mistreatment of the past and the harm caused, with a symbol of our intent to create a much stronger culture in our school community from this point forward.

Dr Peter Miller, Principal, 2018

Meanwhile, in wider Australia:

2010

Ken Wyatt became the inaugural First Nations person elected to the House of Representatives.

Julia Gillard became Australia’s first female Prime Minister.

2012

Plain cigarette packaging became law.

2013

Catherine McGregor, one of Australia’s most senior military figures, publicly came out as trans.

2017

First Nations peoples issued the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Marriage equality legislation passed parliament.

The first season of the AFLW was played.

2019

COVID-19 virus first reported by China.

The Black Summer bushfires caused 33 deaths, burned 24 million hectares and 3 billion animals were killed or displaced.