School History

The Reverend Sydney Buckley, Founding Headmaster 1915 – 1947

The Reverend Sydney Buckley was the Vicar at St James Church of England in 1914 when, in conversation with his choir boys, the possibility of a parish school was raised. He pursued the idea and despite some opposition within the church did gain the support of the Archbishop.

St James Church of England Grammar School for Boys opened its doors for the first time in 1915 in the parish hall, and fourteen boys made up the initial enrolment. In time, it became evident that he needed support in order to carry out his duties as vicar and head and a part time assistant was appointed.

By the end of 1916 the School Council was already discussing the need for the School to relocate however Sydney Buckley applied for leave of absence in order to enlist in the Australian Infantry Forces. The School was barely two years old and its Headmaster felt compelled, like so many others, to add to the large numbers going off to war. The Reverend Hamilton from Goulburn was appointed as acting Headmaster, enabling him to depart for Europe.

Upon his return in 1918, he outlined his view that the School and the parish would both benefit from independent leadership and the School a new site, having outgrown the hall. Soon after he entered into discussions with Mr Horace Wilcox, a member of the School Council, for the purchase of Ivanhoe House.

In 1920 the move to The Ridgeway occurred and the school was renamed to The Ivanhoe Grammar School.  In 1920, the school badge was introduced and our colours, brown and white, were fully integrated into our school uniform.

The latter part of Sydney Buckley’s headmastership was marked by Australia’s involvement in World War Two. Offering the School grounds and buildings for the Army’s use, in 1942 he relocated the school to Yea in central Victoria, with a smaller number of students remaining and attending classes back at the parish hall at St James’, Ivanhoe. The Yea years are recalled with great affection by those who were there but, for Mr Buckley, overall the war years took a great toll on him. While he was a person of inestimable courage and determination, upon returning to Ivanhoe in 1943 Mr Buckley felt it was time to consider retirement.  Plans were put in train for a successor and he was farewelled from the School at the end of 1947.

Mr victor brown, headmaster 1948 – 1974

Following an international search, Victor Brown, a Rhodes Scholar and Oxford graduate who was teaching in England at the time, was appointed to the headmastership. Arriving in 1948 he was astounded by the poor condition of the School. The 1950’s saw a gradual rise in student numbers and a pressing need to provide additional classroom accommodation. In 1955, the Memorial Junior School was opened and within ten years the Wilcox and Lee buildings were added along with a further extension to the Memorial Junior School.

Victor Brown emphasised the importance of higher academic standards. He introduced many innovations and encouraged his staff to focus more on the scholastic progress of the students. This shift was met with resistance in some quarters particularly amongst the old Buckley men. Brown pushed ahead regardless and the performance of his students at the annual examinations improved markedly. He championed the performing arts as part of the School’s cultural renewal, and music and drama flourished. Further, and to the chagrin of some Buckley loyalists, he introduced a student newspaper, The IGS Spectator, a Student Council and a Public Questions Society to encourage debating and student interest in local and world affairs.

The 1950s and 1960s were decades that saw the rise of ‘Rock and Roll’, James Dean, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and the Vietnam War. Young people questioned the values and beliefs of their politicians, parents and teachers. Carefully, Victor Brown guided the School through these sometimes tumultuous years while placing enormous trust in his students to interpret them broadly, beyond the immediate thrill of rebellion. Ivanhoe Grammar School had become a very different and interesting school.

The reverend charles sligo, headmaster 1975 – 1995

Charles Sligo came to Ivanhoe Grammar School as an experienced Headmaster. His vision was articulated clearly and it was to be based upon traditional “public” school values and symbols. He once described the School as a diamond that needed a little polishing and he set about strengthening the School’s self-confidence and pride in itself. It was the antithesis of the individualism that characterised the sixties and early seventies. Charles Sligo wanted each boy to develop a strong sense of belonging to the school and of being part of something special.

Charles introduced mass singing at weekly assemblies, which he often led. He looked for ways to assist boys towards their manhood through leadership, cadets, outdoor education and sport and he looked for opportunities to support excellence and bring it to the surface. These aspects of school life thrived throughout his headship. In 1980 the first AGSV premiership under his leadership was won. The swimming team’s famous victory was Ivanhoe’s first swimming premiership in 40 years and so the entire school was given a holiday. The cheering in assembly the following day must have confirmed for him the importance of success in sport in building School spirit. It heralded an extraordinary era in sporting success at the school which lasted almost two decades.

As public funding for private schools diminished the School’s governing body and its Headmaster recognised the importance of planning for the School’s long term financial security. Models of fundraising were considered and Ian Rule was appointed to establish the Development Office.

In addition to the country centre at Lima East, land at Mernda was purchased and in 1990 a new Campus opened. In 1992 girls were added to the enrolments at Mernda. Charles Sligo transformed a relatively small and rather parochial school into a large complex organisation. His leadership was fundamental to the rise in prominence of Ivanhoe Grammar School as a major educational provider with a proud reputation across Australia.

Mr roderick fraser am, principal 1996 – 2015

Roderick Fraser commenced his role as the School’s Principal in 1996. He had previously had senior roles in both Tasmania and NSW prior to returning to Victoria. Ivanhoe Grammar School had not long been a multi-campus school and co-education at Plenty Campus was yet to reach Year 12. His arrival coincided with the emergence of computers in schools, a more global perspective and increasingly strong connections to Asia.

Our membership of Round Square began in 1997 representing a significant turning point in the history of the School. By the time it was Ivanhoe’s turn to host the international Round Square conference in 2005, its pillars of internationalism, democracy, environment, adventure, leadership and service had become embedded in every aspect of student life. In particular, internationalism became a major thrust made manifest through Round Square activities, Cambodia service projects, the International Baccalaureate, the enrolment of overseas students and the Year 9 international trips program.

Early on, Rod put in place a number of strategies to strengthen his one school philosophy. Whole school events were introduced including services at the cathedral and gala presentation evenings. Professional Development events were scheduled bringing together staff resulting in a shared curriculum across the school. Overseas trips, seminars, cadets, sport and performing arts became increasingly one school in approach and practice.

Significant changes to the uniform were made, girls were enrolled at Buckley House and the notebook computer program provided impetus for change throughout the curriculum. Vertical pastoral care structures were introduced at the Ridgeway Campus underlining his desire to create a friendlier environment for every child where cross age mentoring might occur as a natural part of school life.

Rod Fraser has placed Ivanhoe Grammar School firmly into various international networks of schools and organisations creating extraordinary opportunities for our students. More than ever, Ivanhoe students are living and working internationally and playing their part in a world vastly different to that when in 1915 St James’ Grammar School first opened its doors.

In June 2015 he was acknowledged in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list with a Member (AM) in the General Division for significant service to secondary education, to national and international learning development organisations, and to the community.

Mr gerard foley, principal 2015 – current

Gerard Foley is the current Principal of Ivanhoe Grammar School, commencing in November 2015, and is only the fifth Principal of the School in its more than 100-year history.

Gerard leads the School into a new era with the firm belief that all students have the capacity to succeed, that community and caring for others is paramount and that education can provide outstanding opportunities for all who embrace it.

Gerard was Acting Principal of the School throughout 2014, after being appointed Deputy Principal in 2011 and Head of The Ridgeway Campus in 2008. His career has spanned roles in the independent and government sector, including the Head of Senior School at Overnewton Anglican College and Year 12 Level Manager/VCE Coordinator at Eltham College.

Gerard’s key aims are to assist students to develop their unique potential by providing a range of rich experiences through academic opportunities, the creative and performing arts, sport, outdoor education, intercultural understanding, leadership and service to others. He believes that active, engaged, critical and empathetic global citizens are created through exposure to local and international issues via the curriculum, and a range of community and international experiences.

Gerard is married to Anne and his two daughters, Sarah (2016) and Jess (2013), are both Old Ivanhoe Grammarians!

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