Our History
Established in 1884, Redlands was one of the first independent schools established on Sydney's Lower North Shore, educating generations of girls and boys from early Childhood to Year 12. Redlands history can be divided into 5 major periods:
1. 1884 - 1911: The College for Girls
Redlands had its origins in "The College for Girls" established in 1884 by the Misses Liggins and Arnold with only 5 students. The College was first situated in Fitzroy Street, Milson's Point but owing to considerable growth in the early years moved to "Redlands House" in Military Road, Cremorne in 1896 in order to provide a bigger playground and room for sport..The School produced University graduates in Arts, Science, Architecture, Agriculture and Medicine. Other girls entered the Business world, Nursing and there were also distinguished sports women.
2. 1911 - 1945: Redlands
In 1911 Miss G. A. Roseby became the owner and Headmistress of Redlands and led the school for the next 34 years until her retirement in late 1945. During this time of strong development and expansion from 83 to 260 students, Liggins House was built, the grounds of the school extended, the curriculum expanded and the reputation for scholastic excellence established. The School was noted for originality and innovation. Redlands established one of the first kindergartens in Australia, and as a result, in the 1920s, co-education was introduced for the early years of schooling.
A reflection from an Old Girl who attended the School during this time:
"When you think that most private girls' schools had churches behind them while Miss Roseby had no one, you can only conclude that she must have been a financial genius to guide the school through the First World War, the pneumonic flu epidemic in 1919, the depression in the thirties and then the Second World War. It is really beyond belief."
3: 1946 - 1975: SCEGGS Redlands
Redlands prospered and in 1946 merged with the North Sydney Branch of the Sydney Church of England Girls' Grammar School and became SCEGGS Redlands. Mrs Isobel Humphery was appointed as the Headmistress. There were now 260 students and this grew to around 700 students by the 1970s.
After 1956, an extensive building program was undertaken including the main teaching buildings used today, the Mowll building, the Wyndham building, the Assembly Hall and other important facilities.
4. 1976 - 2006: SCECGS Redlands
SCEGGS Redlands continued until 1976 when it came under the management of SCECGS Redlands Limited and returned to truly independent governance. Over a period of 34 years, Redlands introduced a significant amount of educational innovation, much of it led by then Headmaster Mr Peter Cornish.
In 1978 co-education was introduced providing students with a real world education environment. The 1980s saw the introduction of a Preparatory School, the Margaret Roberts Preparatory School, separate from Junior School and the introduction of the International Baccalaureate. At the Centenary of the school in 1984, Redlands had some 900 students and 93 staff.
1990 saw the acquisition of the Murdoch St Campus, formerly Cremorne Girls High School, which enabled student numbers to expand to the 1600 students of today. On Foundation Day 1992, a parcel of land was donated to the school by The Redlands Parents Association for the development of Redlands High Country Campus at Jindabyne, enabling the establishment of Redlands Winter School, The 1990s also saw the introduction of the Pre-School program, with Redlands Houses established at Cremorne and North Harbour, and the establishment of the Redlands Ballet & Dance Academy.
In 2002, the Peter Cornish building was constructed on the Murdoch St Campus.
5. 2006 - Today: Redlands
2007 marked the completion of the 3rd major capital works project in the last 25 years - the Liggins Atrium Project. This newly renovated Science Block was renamed the Roseby Building after the school's longest serving Head, Miss GA Roseby. Also in 2007, the former Cremorne Post Office was established as a Training and Function Centre and named after the Adams family.
During the past 125 years Redlands has expanded significantly from its beginnings as a small school of 5 students to the vibrant, co-educational, international environment of today; and during that time has led much innovation in education. Yet it is evident that the essence of Redlands has been there from the very beginning - the innovation, the necessity to reinvent itself in order to stay at the forefront of education, the Redlands spirit.
Now in its second century, Redlands maintains the tradition of providing unrivalled opportunities for each individual student to find their niche and excel; and to develop well-rounded, confident and compassionate young adults who are prepared for life after school.
From another recollection:
"And so in this way Redlands has peacefully wended its way through the years, we hope creditably. Redlands girls (students) have distinguished themselves and have been respected for their trustworthiness and enthusiasm, and a real thing is the Redlands spirit. For this we owe a debt of gratitude to the Principals and Staff who have so unobtrusively instilled these intangible but precious values into our hearts."
