Our Mission
At Mentone Girls' Grammar School, we are dedicated to excellence in the education of girls, reaching well beyond outstanding preparation for tertiary studies. The mission of our School is preparing our students to aspire to excellence, to make a difference and to rise boldly to the challenges of their times.
To achieve this, we are committed to providing a challenging, supportive and personalised learning environment, based on our Christian heritage which values the worth and uniqueness of each person. We dedicate ourselves to inspiring in each girl an abiding passion for learning, preparing her to become a confident, creative and articulate woman who has the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to shape her future, lead with wisdom and compassion and contribute meaningfully to the international community.
Mentone Girls' Grammar School also embraces broader aspirations: to continue to stand out among the country's leading schools, to be appreciated as an active contributor in our local community and to support the wellbeing, achievement, positive values, enterprising nature and success of women in our society.
History
The School has a rich history and was established in Mentone by the four Simpsons sisters in 1899. The original school house ‘Cobbalanna’ is now the name given to our Senior College.
Mentone Girls' Grammar School Historic Time Line.
1899 | Mentone High School for girls was opened by the Misses Simpson at "Cobbalanna", Como Parade, Mentone. |
1906 | Miss Ada Murray and Miss Jane Elizabeth Bullow jointly began running the school. |
1908-1913 | Miss Ada Murray took charge of the school. |
1913-1919 | Miss Alice Maxwell-Hyslop became Headmistress. |
1919 | Miss Ethel Simpson returned to run the school. |
1920 | Miss Evaline Mary Pearson became Headmistress. |
1924 | Mentone Girls' Grammar School (St. Margaret's) was opened |
1927-1936 | Miss Bessie Johnston becomes Headmistress. |
1935-1955 | Miss Jeannie McCowan took over as Headmistress. |
1956-1974 | Miss J Prudence Lewty was appointed as Headmistress. |
1962 | The school became affiliated with the Church of England, with the bishop's mitre added to the school crest. |
1974-1987 | Mr David Hunt was appointed Principal. |
1987-1997 | Mrs Janice Douglas was appointed Principal. |
1997 | The Janice Douglas Junior School Building was officially opened by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable Jeff Kennett. |
1998 | Ms Jillian de Araugo was appointed Principal. |
1999 | Centenary Year - celebrated throughout the year at a variety of functions including a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul 's Cathedral, the Centenary Concert at the Melbourne Concert Hall and Speech Night at the Melbourne Town Hall. |
2000 | Mentone Girls' Grammar Old Girls' Club celebrated its 75th Anniversary. |
2005 | Mrs Fran Reddan was appointed Principal. |
