Reports on reality

Words: Julian Burgess, Author - Historian

The establishment 175 years ago of Launceston Church Grammar School was warmly welcomed in the local press.

On 1 July 1846 the Cornwall Chronicle reported that the School, first located on the corner of George and Elizabeth Streets, was now in active operation as could be seen by the prospectus in their advertising columns.

“It must be pleasing to the friends of education (on a sound basis) to know that the claims of this portion of the Island have been so vigorously and satisfactorily met by a suitable provision for instructing youth in classical and mathematical knowledge of the highest order.”

The establishment of a ‘superior’ boys’ school in Launceston was first discussed during a visit to the town in May 1838 by the Bishop of Australia, WG Broughton, and Archdeacon William Hutchins, of Hobart.

It was proposed that the Launceston school [and one in Hobart] would be run on the principles of the Church of England under the auspices of an Anglican minister as Headmaster.

It took the appointment of the energetic and forthright Russell Francis Nixon as the first Bishop of Van Diemen’s Land in 1842 to bring the schools to fruition, with the young Henry Plow Kane, as first Headmaster for the Launceston-based institution. Henry had arrived in Van Diemen’s Land in 1842 as tutor for the son of Launceston brewer, landowner and businessman William Barnes and his wife Anne.

In early 1846 advertisements started appearing in newspapers for the new Launceston school, with a list of the subjects to be offered:

The Greek and Latin languages are taught on the Eton system. By the rules of the school, each scholar must join the Latin classes, the study of Greek is optional. The Mathematical course comprises the usual routine of Arithmetic, Algebra, Practical Geometry, Euclid, Mensuration, Trigonometry, and Navigation if required.

The study of the English Language included composition and elocution and there was to be tuition in geography, astronomy ‘and the usual branches of a sound English education’. French and the study of Drawing and Perspective were optional.

A course of instruction specially adapted for students intending to enter commercial life was offered. Fees were 13 guineas per annum for senior students and 10 guineas for juniors.

At the beginning of 1847, as the School was preparing to move into a new building in Elizabeth Street behind St John’s Church, it was announced that a sum of money had been donated for a scholarship in honour of the late Archdeacon William Hutchins.

When the School celebrated its tenth anniversary in July 1856, The Examiner reported that the annual assembly was attended by 200 parents and friends of the School. The Rev F Hales of Holy Trinity told the assembly that those who had received their education at Launceston Grammar were receiving a superior system of learning.

The Cornwall Chronicle of Wednesday 14 June 1865 noted that the school had ‘long flourished and was recognised amongst the Scholastic Establishments for which the Country is so celebrated’.

Launceston Church Grammar School continued to flourish on its Elizabeth Street site and when the School celebrated its 50th anniversary in November 1896 around 50 students were enrolled. A series of special events to mark the School’s jubilee included a service at St John’s Church and grand masked ball in the Albert Hall. The Daily Telegraph of Friday 20 November 1896 described the ball as a great success.

The need for more space became evident as it entered the 20th century and in the early 1920s a 10-hectare section of Stephenson’s Farm on Mowbray Hill was bought for £2,000 pounds.

In April 1923 the Weekly Courier published drawings of the new school buildings and reported on the School’s plans for their new home. An exciting chapter lay before them.

By the rules of the school, each scholar must join the Latin classes, the study of Greek is optional.