CGS CONNECT

OUR HISTORY

The history of Canberra Grammar School is intertwined with the history of Canberra itself.

Prime Minister Stanley Bruce laid the foundation stone for our original Red Hill campus in 1928. CGS grew from its humble beginnings as Cooma’s Manaro Grammar School at the start of the 20th Century before transferring to the vast sheep paddocks of early Canberra. It was a far cry from the bustling capital city of today. With 15 acres and only a few complete buildings, CGS began educating the region’s young men in 1929. 

In that year, CGS commenced with Headmaster William Edwards, a small staff and just 50 students. Today, we educate more than 2000 students across our two campuses. 

The School’s many alumni include Olympians, artists, musicians, business people, philanthropists and politicians, including Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. 

Our heritage is rich, and our future is full of possibilities. As a community, we’re excited to educate the next generation of change-makers.

Our connection to Canberra and its people runs deep, and long shall that continue.

A BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF THE SCHOOL

In 1906 a Church of England Grammar School was established for girls and boys in Cooma it was later sold and established as the Manaro Grammar School in 1908.

1928 Campsite of Head Edwards. Student De Salis is pictured here under Red Hill when exploring sites for the School. BISHOP RADFORD MOVED THE SCHOOL TO RED HILL, CANBERRA AND TRANSFERRED MANARO GRAMMAR SCHOOL TO CANBERRA CHURCH OF ENGLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

1928 saw the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Stanley Bruce lay the Foundation Stone of the School.

Canberra Grammar School commenced operation on 5 February 1929 with around 60 students.

IN THE 1930S WORK BEGAN ON CLASSROOMS AND BOARDING IN THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE NOW HERITAGE LISTED MAIN QUADRANGLE.

During WW 2 many past students sacrificed their lives in defense of their Country; whilst the current students formed cadet units.

1948-1958 DAVID GARNSEY WAS HEADMASTER. THE JUNIOR SCHOOL EXPANDED, A WIDER COHORT OF STUDENTS ENROLLED AND SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED.

FROM 1959-1985 WITH PAUL MCKEOWN AS HEADMASTER MAJOR CHANGES TOOK PLACE - THE WAR MEMORIAL GYM, NOW HALL; SCIENCE WING; JUNIOR SCHOOL; THE CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE KING; BOARDING HOUSE; NORTHSIDE; AND DESIGN, ART & TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.

TIM MURRAY WAS HEADMASTER FROM 1986-1998. MORE DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOWED – THE PAUL MCKEOWN BUILDING; THE RESOURCE CENTRE; THE BURTON THEATRE, THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE; AND THE HEALTH AND PE CENTRE. THE PEACE WINDOW WAS INSTALLED IN THE CHAPEL.

(1998-2010) with SIMON MURRAY AS HEADMASTEr THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE OPENED IN 2003. IN 2004 THE SCHOOL CELEBRATED IT’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A PARLIAMENT HOUSE BALL, AN ARTS FESTIVAL AND P&F’S GIFT OF A NEW CHAPEL ORGAN.

2011 Saw Dr Justin Garrick commence as the Head of School and CGS becomes an International Baccalaureate World School.

2012 A LONG-TERM CGS PROJECT TO UPGRADE BEGAN, THIS INCLUDED THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE, THE MATHEMATICS, ENGLISH, HISTORY AND LANGUAGES DEPARTMENTS. THE BOARDING HOUSES WERE RENOVATED, COMBINED AND LAUNCHED AS MANARO HOUSE.

CGS receives one of the largest donations to a school in Australian history from alumni, Mr Terry Snow. Construction begins in 2013 on the Snow Centre for Education in the Asian Century.

THE MASTER PLAN FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL IS LAUNCHED IN 2015. AFTER 40 YEARS OF CO-EDUCATION IN THE INFANTS YEARS, CGS BEGINS TRANSITION TO FULL CO-EDUCATION (PRESCHOOL TO YEAR 12) IN 2016.

CGS becomes fully Co-educational from Preschool to Year 12 in 2018, two years ahead of the 2020 target.

In 2019 the School celebrated its 90th Anniversary and announces the construction of a new Auditorium, Centre for Music and Centre for Learning and Library.