125 Years of Tudor House

In October 1897, Headmaster Wilfred Inman established a school with just six students in the Erowol estate in Bellevue Hill, Sydney. It is believed Eric Lloyd was the first student enrolled at the School. After a short stint at Bellevue Hill, Inman moved the School to Carrara, now Strickland House, in Vaucluse. He set out moulding his students’ character on the beautiful shores of Hermit Bay.

On 2 December 1901, Mr Inman took possession of Hamilton, Moss Vale. The School was moved by horse and carriage, opening its gates on 29 January 1902 under the name Tudor House.

In 1924, Tudor House was under threat of closing after recently appointed Headmaster AJ Mann decided to return to England. The Diocese of Sydney acquired the property, the School Council took control and a new era began.

Around this time, a generous donation was made by Ernest Watt. This was a turning point for Tudor House. A few years later, Mr Watt came to the rescue again, establishing an appeal to keep the School afloat. It was during this era Tudor House enjoyed upgrades, including a fenced-in cricket oval with sheds and a scoreboard and domestic staff quarters. In 1926, the School bought its first motor vehicle. Awards for colours in sports were instituted, with the striped blazer becoming the honour blazer. To this day, versions of these blazers are used on special occasions.

By 1929, the School began to feel the effects of the economic depression. Fees were reduced, but numbers continued to drop. Many of the council members returned to Sydney believing they would be winding up the School’s affairs. Instead, an appeal was established and the Rector of Mittagong, Reverend Brown, helped in an acting Headmaster capacity until Mr JDG Medley was appointed Headmaster, sacrificing a paid salary for the first six months.

Numbers improved significantly during Medley’s time and by 1934, the School was at capacity. Mrs Medley also contributed to the School in many ways, from housekeeping to secretarial work and running the canteen.

The years from 1932 to 1935 were exciting times. During this era, the boys participated in archery, yabbying, golfing, riding and carpentry. Students still enjoy many of these activities. At the same time, the Scout Troop and Cub Pack were established, Tudor House Stage Productions was set up, a school workshop for woodwork and leatherwork was created and the boarding house was extended.

In January 1942, The King’s School Headmaster Denys Hake led a successful acquisition of Tudor House. Walter Jerry Meyer, a former King’s teacher, was appointed Headmaster of Tudor House when The King’s School became custodians and he faithfully served through the challenges of World War II until his death in 1950.

In Tudor House legend, no one stands taller than Edward Lincoln Dixon. Over 35 years, 20 of those as Headmaster (1950-1970), the School was his labour of love. Dixon was an outstanding educator, firm but compassionate and highly regarded by his colleagues and students.

To commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Tudorians planted 40 gum trees around the Fairfax Oval, participated in bicycle sports (in true Tudor House style) and enjoyed a high tea. When the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited Canberra on 16 February 1954, the entire School along with thousands of other school children from all over southern New South Wales, gathered to cheer the royal couple. The carpet used by the Queen during this visit is laid in the Chapel.

In 1970, the torch was passed from Dixon to Robert ‘Bob’ Darke and, much like his predecessor, Darke was a passionate sportsman and respected Headmaster who fostered a secure and orderly community. Throughout the history of Tudor House, many teachers contributed positively to the boys’ Tudor experience, both inside and outside the classroom. Amid change, adversity and challenges, Tudor House never lost its identity.

In 1977, through a building appeal established three years earlier, Tudor House underwent major building upgrades, including a new library, music room, tuckshop and linen store.

Bob Darke’s son-in-law Phillip Richards was appointed as his successor in 1986 and left a tangible legacy known as the Warren Anderson classroom block. Against all odds, including a stock market crash, Richards delivered an impassioned speech that appealed to a generous donor, Warren Anderson. According to Richards, the building works were pretty minor. The project was completed in mid-1988 and provided ten new classrooms, which are still in use. Richards was most proud of the fact the Senior Masters who worked under him all went on to be Heads of their own Schools. It was also under his leadership the Society of Tudorians began, as did the quarterly newsletter known as The Rose.

By the 1980s, roads were sealed and school bus services were operating. The education landscape was changing with improved regional state schools and rural families had more options for primary-aged children. By the early 1990s, Tudor House was facing a crisis. The attitude toward primary school boarding had shifted across the country and enrolments suffered. A management advisory committee was established to get the numbers right, and the focus turned to day boy enrolments.

Since the Tudor House centenary in 1997, Headmasters Alan Russell, John Stewart and David Musgrove worked tirelessly to keep the Tudor spirit alive, fan the flame for primary boarding and capture the hearts and minds of young boys. Alan Russell was Headmaster of Tudor House from 1995 to 2008. While Russell was Headmaster, major works took place at the School. In 1999 the Medley extension commenced and was finished in 2000, followed by the Richards Music and Drama extension. In 2003, the Lower School classrooms were built. This project added four additional classrooms and several storage and office facilities.

John Stewart became Headmaster in 2008 and served the School until 2013. The most significant change during those years was the relocation of Meyer, the second boarding house to the north of the tennis courts. This became a welcome option for boarding families to stay onsite if they wished to visit their sons. The Learning Centre was built to replace Meyer. The building included a larger, purpose-built library, lecture room, staffroom and office space. David Musgrove became Headmaster in 2014 and in 2016, the first female Head of School, Anni Sandwell, was appointed.

It can be argued the most significant time in the history of The King’s School, Tudor House was six years ago when Tudor House became a co-educational primary boarding school. Co-education at Tudor House had been floated in the early 1990s by Phillip Richards. But it was not until 2017, under the leadership of Headmaster Tony George and Head of Tudor House Anni Sandwell, that the change to co-education eventuated.

In its 125th year, Tudor House has 262 students, including 102 girls. Medley House has 50 boarders including 15 girls and some international boarders. To celebrate this significant milestone, the School hosted a celebratory weekend in October for Old Tudorians, previous Headmasters and teachers and the School community.

The weekend kicked off with an Old Tudorian dinner in the iconic Dining Hall on Friday evening. It was a night of sharing memories, celebrating the survival of the School and discussing future plans. On Saturday evening, the current School community gathered for an unforgettable night that concluded with a fireworks display in front of Inman House. On Sunday, every corner of the 169acre campus came alive for a special Fête Day, from the Archery Range to the Low Ropes Course and canoeing on the lake. There were outstanding musical performances by the students and the long history of the School was honoured with a Tudor History Trail and Archive Photo exhibition.

While many things have changed in 125 years, the emphasis on community, co-curricular activities and exploring the great outdoors remains the foundation of the Tudor House experience. At every crossroad, there was a member of the Tudor House community who was willing to fight for its survival. Heads of School, educators, Tudorians and families have believed in Tudor House as a unique place of education – a captivating experience where outdoor education is its heart and soul, young students blossom and memories of a lifetime are made.

The King’s School, Tudor House – where learning has been an adventure for 125 years.