Fintona has remained true to the philosophy of its original Principal, Annie Hughston. It is a school dedicated to the education of young women, encouraging girls to think for themselves and to have concern for others; philosophies that every Principal has fostered in Fintona students.
1890s
In 1896, Fintona Ladies’ College was founded by Annie Hughston and her brother William. The school was located in Mayston Street, East Hawthorn and commenced with 14 students. Annie and William’s father suggested the motto, Agis Quod Agis, Do What You Do Well, which is still used today.
Fintona was named after a town in Ireland, close to the place where Annie and William’s mother was born.
Fintona’s founding Principal, Miss Annie Hughston was a teacher of Mathematics and a trailblazer in girls’ education.
Annie Hughston’s teaching experience, combined with that of her brother William, promised to prospective parents that the education Fintona offered would be academically sound. Miss Hughston was the moving spirit behind all the School’s activities. To establish and lead one’s own school demonstrated not only determination but perseverance.
Fintona’s STEM building, constructed in 2020, was named the Annie Hughston Centre in honour of our founder.
In 1899, Fintona moved to Burke Road, East Hawthorn.
1900s
Fintona continued to grow through the early 1900s and in 1901, 100 pupils were enrolled.
Annie Hughston with students in 1905
In 1909, Fintona was recognised by the Presbyterian Church and at this point was known as Fintona Presbyterian Girls’ Grammar School.
In 1913, the school song was written.
Sing with ringing voices, girls, Fintonians new and old;
Don’t we love our dear old school much more than can be told?
Don’t we love our motto and our colours, blue and gold?
“Age Quod Agis” forever.
Chorus
Hurrah! hurrah! Fintonians are we;
Hurrah! hurrah! right loyal must we be;
For the honour of our school depends on you and me,
“Age Quod Agis” forever.
Some Fintonians love their books and win their laurels too,
Some in sports gain glory for their banner gold and blue,
All Fintonians may be just, courteous, kind and true,
“Age Quod Agis” forever.
Let us, self-forgetting, make the whole school’s good our aim,
Never let us disregard another schoolmate’s claim,
Whether in or out of school, let’s always play the game,
“Age Quod Agis” forever.
Honour those who kept our flag aloft in bygone days,
Honour those who after us that flag will still upraise,
Ours to guard its honour now and sing its song of praise,
“Age Quod Agis” forever.
We shall still remember when our heads are growing grey,
We shall still remember when we’re far and far away,
We shall ne’er forget the mates who sing with us today,
“Age Quod Agis” forever.
The Old Fintonians Association (OFA) commenced in 1916.
Basketball team circa 1915
1920s
While Annie Hughston remained Principal, she employed a Headmistress, Isobel Macdonald (1921–1924), to take over the daily management of the School.
In 1921 Fintona was, according to The Argus, the largest private girls school in Victoria with approximately 450 pupils.
The House System commenced in 1923 with five Houses: Boyne, Clarke, Maxwell, Murdoch and Ower.
Marjorie Black became the second Headmistress (1927–1930). Her most notable innovation was changing the uniform’s colour from blue to brown in 1928.
Fintona class circa 1920
1930s
Jeanne McCowan became the third Headmistress from 1931–1934 during what was to become a very difficult time as the Great Depression was soon to envelop the world.
Margaret Cunningham bought the School from Miss Hughston in 1934 and became Fintona’s second Principal from 1935–1961.
Those early years of Miss Cunningham’s leadership saw the beginning of key events such as Drama Day and Shakespeare Day, along with the Music Concert, in the annual calendar. There was also a strong focus on developing a curriculum which would equip girls for life. The Fintona community faced the difficult times of World War II with stoic resolve for the war effort and the School was used for community training and evacuation practices. Following the lifting of war time restrictions, the Junior School, including Buick Hall named after Margaret Cunningham’s maternal family, was built on the Mitiamo site in Balwyn Road. Margaret Cunningham was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to education.
Margaret Cunningham created Hobbies Day where each girl could exhibit the results of her chosen hobby at school and the first one was held on 23 August 1935.
Exhibits were arranged into senior and junior sections with categories such as art, model drawing, photography, floral displays, cooking, sewing, knitting, best dressed doll and gift cards. Later additions of entries included Vegetable Hobbies and Musical Hobbies. Staff also entered items in the display. Hobbies Day was a resounding success and continued until 1972.
Basketball Champions 1931
Margaret Cunningham purchased St Duthus School on Mont Albert Road where the Junior School operated until 1952.
In 1936, Fintona moved to Balwyn Road, Balwyn; its current site. Glencairn was purchased and used as a boarding house.
Shakespeare Day is one of the most loved Fintona traditions. Shakespeare Day was introduced in 1938 and the first performance included the prologue to King Henry V, selected sonnets and scenes from Twelfth Night and As You like It. In 1943 the quadrangle (Tourmont Courtyard) was used for performances with desks from classrooms tied together to construct a stage. Although this sounds fine it caused much embarrassment for one of the witches from Macbeth when she tried to escape through a space left between the desks and became stuck!
1940s
Shell, a new class was introduced in 1941. It was positioned between Years 6 and 7 and enabled girls who were very young to mature for a year before commencing senior classes.
Students formed voluntary labour squads to clean and help maintain the School during the war years.
In 1946 Fintona celebrated its jubilee at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club and launched the School’s first history.
Fintona no longer accepted boarders from 1947.
1947 Tennis Team
1950s
In 1951, a school film was made by the girls called With all our Hearts.
In 1953, the new Junior School opened on its present site. It was formally opened by Old Fintonian, Dame Pattie Menzies.
The Senator system was introduced in 1959 replacing Prefects.
Fintona students marching at Empire Day in 1958
1960s
In 1961 Margaret Cunningham gifted the unencumbered deeds of the School to the Old Fintonians Association at Speech Night.
Margaret Cunningham retired and Elizabeth Butt commenced as Fintona’s Headmistress in 1963.
Throughout Miss Butt’s time as Headmistress, she oversaw substantial building extensions to the Senior and Junior School, major changes in curriculum, a deepening of contacts with other schools, as well as expansion on the drama, sporting and musical fronts. The Elizabeth Butt Building and the Elizabeth Butt Public Speaking Competition are testament to her outstanding commitment to Fintona. Elizabeth Butt was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2010 for her services to schools and educational leadership.
The Margaret Cunningham Wing officially opened in 1967.
1970s
Hughston House was established in 1974.
A new Junior School building containing a dedicated library and three classrooms was constructed during 1974–75.
A new year level, Preparatory (or Prep), commenced in 1976.
1980s
In 1986, Fintona was one of the first girls’ school to introduce a rowing program. The School also celebrated 50 years in Balwyn and published the first edition of The Fintona File.
Why The Fintona File?
“We have a fine school, one that is 90 years old. During this time, we have made many friends in students, parents and supporters. This newsletter, and those that follow, will help keep you abreast of our developments and achievements.”
The EM Butt Building was opened by, Old Fintonian, Dame Beryl Beaurepaire AC DBE in 1988.The building included the Beatrice Chilvers Library named after a much respected English Teacher and Vice Principal who served the school from 1919-1962.
Fintona’s first winning rowing crew who took out the Year 9 Championships at the Schoolgirls’ Head of the River Regatta in 1987.
1990s
Elizabeth Butt retired and Dr Deborah Seifert AM was appointed Fintona’s Headmistress in 1991. The Victorian Certificate of Education was introduced and under her leadership academic results improved further and many Premier’s Awards were obtained by Fintona students. Outdoor education programs were introduced as was the Connections program. The implementation of the Middle School also took place. The Elizabeth Butt Public Speaking Competition was established and the formalisation of the relationship between Fintona and Yokohame Eiwa began and Fintona celebrated 100 years of operation which was marked by the building of the Centenary Music Building. The blue uniform was reintroduced and kindergarten was established 1994.
In 2016 Dr Seifert was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to education.
The uniform changed from brown to blue in 1994.
Fintona introduced kindergarten in 1994.
The Year 9 Connections program was introduced in 1995.
Fintona celebrated its centenary in 1996.
The Centenary Music Building opened in 1997.
Fintona introduced Middle School in 1999.
2000s
Dr Deborah Seifert retired as Principal in 2000. She was replaced by Dr Karen Starr who commenced in 2001 and left at the end of 2005.
Under her leadership, excellence in education at Fintona continued. The Writers’ Festival and the House Choral Competition were also introduced during this time.
Suzy Chandler was appointed Principal in 2006. Under her leadership the ELC was constructed and the Margaret Ross Centre was built. The Art Precinct was also redeveloped. Academic results continued to improve. Connection with Danila Dilba was established as were overseas trips and further exchanges to international schools. An annual School Play was introduced and the beautification of the Fintona grounds was continued.
The new Early Learning Centre (ELC) opened in 2008.
2010s
In 2010, The Margaret Ross Centre opened on the site of the netball court. It included a gymnasium, dance studio, weights room and four classrooms.
The Arts Precinct opened in 2015.
Thirty years of rowing was celebrated in 2016.
In 2016 a High Tea was held at Leonda to celebrate Fintona’s 120th birthday, the OFA’s centenary and the launch of a new history book, For the honour of our school.
The Student Exchange program was extended and included Canada, France, Indonesia, Japan, England and Scotland.
Rachael Falloon became Principal in 2018. Her goal is to develop young women who are agile learners – capable, confident and curious; young women who know themselves deeply, embrace opportunity and contribute positively to the world.
2020s
Fintona embraces remote learning as Melbourne locks down during the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020.
The Annie Hughston Centre opens in 2021 with purpose-built classrooms for the sciences, mathematics and technology.
