A book written to celebrate the 100-year history of St George Girls High School is now available to the public.
Cronulla historian Pauline Curby has released her book Independent Minds, a history of St George Girls High School, which was written to coincide with the school’s centenary celebrations last year.
The book was released late last year and can be purchased online through www.newsouthbooks.com.au (for $50) or through the school.
St George Girls High School, a selective school, is the leading academic high school in the St George and Sutherland Shire region. However, as the book describes, its current status is a far cry from the early beginnings of the school, when young women were encouraged to pursue domestic life instead of furthering their education.
Curby conducted 29 formal interviews, completed extensive research and spoke with numerous others to compile the book.
She said her personal favourite story which appears in the book was that of the Tree Lovers’ League of the 1930s.
“The girls under the direction of science teacher Thistle Harris planted trees around the school playground, in the streets and in nearby parks,” Ms Curby said.
“There was a running battle to save these from the depredations of Kogarah Council and the electricity authority, St George County Council, when they were in tree-lopping mode.
“To me this group was a forerunner of the environmental groups that are now popular at the school.”