Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College

Matthew Flinders Girls' Secondary College is an all-girls State secondary school located in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It provides education for students years 7-12.

History

The school opened as Flinders National Grammar School in January 1858.

The foundation stone for the school was laid on 5 December 1856 by Lieutenant Governor Major General Edward Macarthur. The school was to be named the Geelong National Grammar School, but the Governor said that should be named after Captain Matthew Flinders, the first European explorer to visit the You Yangs.

When the school opened in January 1858, 116 boys were enrolled, but there was no room for girls. Falling enrolments forced the school to become coeducational in 1864. The school was extended and remodelled in December 1879 due to increased student numbers. When the extensions were opened in April 1880, it was then known as Flinders State School no. 260. The school was unofficially known as 'Link's School', after fifth headmaster George Link who was in charge from 1879 to 1894. During this time enrolments had increased to 1000 students.

By 1938 enrolments were still increasing but there was not enough space. As a result, the decision was made in 1940 for it to become a girls only school. The name proposed was 'Geelong Girls School', but Matthew Flinders Girls School was later decided upon. In 1966 the name was altered to Matthew Flinders Girls High School. The school is now called Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College.

Today

Main building of the school

Today the College operates on two campuses. Years 7, 10, 11 and 12 students are located on the largest site, or Main Campus, whilst Years 8 and 9 are on the Helen Fraser Campus. This campus has open learning spaces for students where they are challenged and prepared for 21st-century learning using an inquiry based learning approach.

The College is proud to promote its core values of respect, leadership, positive attitudes, commitment, cooperation, achievement, safety and getting along. Supportive pastoral programs at all levels are aimed at individual personal development, social and emotional health and wellbeing.

Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College is in a unique position as the only official Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program (SEALP) provider and is the only provider of an Accelerated Learning Program in an all-girls setting. This program provides students with the opportunity to be selected at Year 7 to undertake a faster paced curriculum.

It is also highly regarded for its caring program for the integration of students with disabilities offering support and meaningful pathways for these students. Students at all levels are offered many leadership opportunities as well as a broad range of co-curricular activities. Student participation in decision making is promoted and encouraged.

The College is the home of the world-renowned Sweethearts, a talented music group that performs frequently in professional contexts and has toured regionally, nationally and internationally. Sweethearts' members continually develop and improve their stage craft and musicianship, and this is formally recognised by their completion of a Certificate IV in Music, under the auspices of Ausmusic.

References

External links

• Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College
• Kids Voice Magazine
• Peter Begg (1990). Geelong - The First 150 Years. Globe Press. ISBN 0-9592863-5-7

Coordinates: 38°09′00″S 144°21′12″E / 38.15000°S 144.35333°E / -38.15000; 144.35333