Seymour College Explained

Seymour College
Free Label:	Previously known as
Free Text:	Presbyterian Girls' College
Motto:	Latin: Crescam Ministrando (I will grow by serving)^[1]
Established:	1922
Principal:	Vanessa Browning^[2]
Country:	Australia
Enrolment:	~850 (P–13)^[3]
Staff:	~100
Colours:	Green, navy & purple
Homepage:	https://www.seymour.sa.edu.au/

Seymour College is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for girls, located at Glen Osmond, Adelaide, South Australia.

Established in 1922 as Presbyterian Girls' College, and renamed for the Rev. J. A. Seymour, Seymour has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for students from preschool (4 years of age) to Year 12, including 105 boarders.^[4] In addition, The Early Years at Seymour offers a co-educational program for children from 6 weeks of age. The college is girls only from Prep (4 years of age) to Year 12.

The college is affiliated with the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia (AGSA),^[5] the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA),^[6] the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia, (AHISA),^[7] the Australian Boarding Schools' Association, (ABSA),^[4] the Uniting Church in Australia and the International Baccalaureate Organisation.^[8]

Academic

In 2018, Seymour restructured its Middle School curriculum, introducing two 'super subjects', GEM and STEM from Year 6.^[9] Principal, Kevin Tutt, has introduced a wellbeing framework, GIRLbeing, which is delivered via the Strength, Optimism and Justice (SOJ) program.^[10]

Service

Crescam Ministrando, I grow by serving, has been the college's motto and guiding philosophy since the college's foundation in 1922. Service Learning is embedded in the curriculum from Reception to Year 12 and the whole-school approach is centred around ‘Justice’ for people and the world in which they live.^[11]

Campus

Seymour College is situated on a single 10 hectare campus,^[12] located 5 km southeast of the Adelaide city centre, in the Adelaide foothills.^[13] The campus is a blend of both old and new buildings. Some of the college's notable older buildings include the historic "Barr Smith House" (formerly the "Wooton Lea" mansion),^[14] the bluestone and brick former laundry, stables and cottages, pump house, and the former coach-house turned music room.^[15] Other facilities include: two theatres, a Sports Centre including facilities for indoor basketball, netball, tennis, badminton, weights training and exercise, a science centre, two libraries, swimming pool, an oval for athletics, softball, soccer, and hockey, and a Boarding House including dining hall and health centre.^[16]

House system

As with most Australian schools, Seymour College uses a house system; however, it is unique in that it is referred to as a "Clan" system.^[14]

Sport

Seymour College is a member of the Independent Girls Schools Sports Association (IGSSA).

IGSSA premierships

Seymour College has won the following IGSSA premierships.^[17]

• Athletics (2) – 2000, 2002
• Badminton (4) – 1994, 1998, 1999, 2007
• Basketball (2) – 2012, 2014
• Hockey (15) – 1987, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018
• Netball – 2003
• Soccer (3) – 1999, 2002, 2004
• Swimming (2) – 2013, 2018
• Tennis (3) – 1995, 1998, 2004, 2022, 2023
• Volleyball (7) – 1999, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Notable alumnae

Alumnae of Seymour College/Presbyterian Girls' College are known as Old Collegians and may elect to join the schools alumni association, the Old Collegians Association.^[18]

Rhodes Scholars

Since Rhodes Scholarships were first awarded to South Australian women in 1980, three have been awarded to Seymour Old Collegians:^[19]

• 1988 Kathryn Brown
• 1997 Elizabeth Wall
• 2004 Rachel Swift

Some notable Old Collegians include:

Academic

• Jenny Graves – professor of the Research School of Biological Sciences at the Australian National University; Director of the Australian Research Council Centre for Kangaroo Genomics; Recipient of the Centenary Medal 2003^{[20] [21]}
• Linley Martin – Commissioner of Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, vice-president (Academic and Information Services) and Council Secretary of Deakin University^[22]
• Professor Janice Reid AC – Vice-Chancellor and University President at the University of Western Sydney; Recipient of the Centenary Medal 2003^[23]
• Judith Roberts AO – Deputy Chancellor of Flinders University; Trained Nurse/Voluntary Community Worker; Former President of The Cancer Council Australia, and the Family Services Council Aust; Foundation Chair of the Helpmann Academy Board; Former President of Relationships Australia; Former Director of the Office for the Ageing SA Government^[24]
• Professor Christina Slade – Conjoint Dean of Arts and Social Sciences at City University London; Professor of Media Theory at the Universiteit Utrecht Netherlands^[25]
• Claire Woods – Professor of Communication and Writing at the University of South Australia; Recipient of the Max Harris Literary Award 2002; (also attended Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School)^[26]

Business

• Leonie Clyne – managing director of Angus Clyne Australia Pty Ltd; Recipient of the Inaugural Enterprising Woman of the Year Award^[27]
• Carolyn Hewson (née Somerville) – Company Director; Director of AGL Energy Ltd, and Westpac Banking Corp.^[28]
• Elizabeth Lewis-Gray – chairman and chief executive officer of Gekko Systems Pty Ltd; Director of Austmine Limited^[29]

Entertainment, media and the arts

• Janet Bridgland – artist and illustrator^[30]
• Helen Leake – CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation (2004–07), Company Director/Producer of Duo Art Productions (1996–2004)^[31]
• Penny Matthews (née Vigar) – children's author^[32]
• Georgina McGuinness – weekend news presenter for National Nine News Adelaide^[33]
  • Poh Ling Yeow – runner-up in Masterchef Australia Alice Monfries – news reporter, journalist
• Olivia Rogers – Miss Universe Australia 2017^[34]

Medicine and science

• Freda Evelyn Gibson OBE – Pioneering Flying Doctor^[35]
• Dr Rhodanthe Grace Lipsett OAM – Midwife and author^[36]

Politics, public service and the law

• Justice Catherine Margaret Branson – Judge of the Federal Court of Australia^[37]
• Diana Laidlaw AM – Vigneron; MLC (Liberal) for South Australia (1982–2003), SA Minister for Transport and Urban Planning (1997–2002), The Arts (1993–2002), the Status of Women (1993–2002), (Transport) 1993–97; SA Shadow Minister for Transport, Marine, Arts and Cultural Heritage, Status of Women, Local Govt Relations (1992–93), Tourism (1986–93)^[38]
• Susan Elizabeth Tanner – Australian Ambassador to Spain and Andorra (2003–06), Assistant Secretary Europe Br. DFAT (2000–02), Australian Ambassador to Chile, Bolivia and Peru (1997–99)^[39]

Sport

• Kimberley Wells – Professional Cyclist and Australian National Criterium Champion 2013 & 2015 (Australian National Criterium Championships)
• Isobel Batt-Doyle
• Jane Claxton

Notable staff

• Phyllis Duguid (1904–1993), née Lade – English teacher and Aboriginal rights and women's activist

See also

• List of schools in South Australia
• List of boarding schools

External links

• Seymour College Website

-34.9565°N 138.6479°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: About Seymour. 27 September 2007. Seymour College.
2. Web site: Our purpose, vision and values. Seymour College. 25 May 2023.
3. Web site: Seymour College. 27 September 2007. Schools. Australian Boarding Schools' Association . https://web.archive.org/web/20070829075342/http://www.boarding.org.au/site/school_detail.cfm?schID=140 . 29 August 2007.
4. Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.
5. Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.
6. Web site: IPSHA.
7. Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.
8. Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.
9. Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.
10. Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.
11. Citation error. See inline comment how to fix.
12. Web site: Item metadata. 27 September 2007. 30 May 2007. edna. Commonwealth of Australia. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110706114638/http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/Jahia/search?SearchMode=ItemMetadata&print=1&itemcode=282409&print=1. 6 July 2011.
13. Web site: Information for Applicants . 27 September 2007. Employment . Seymour College . https://web.archive.org/web/20070831021354/http://www.seymour.sa.edu.au/info_for_applicants.htm . 31 August 2007.
14. Web site: School Heritage . 27 September 2007. About Seymour. Seymour College . https://web.archive.org/web/20070829231011/http://www.seymour.sa.edu.au/school_heritage.htm . 29 August 2007.
15. Web site: Seymour College . 27 September 2007 . Historic Self-Guided Walk: Glen Osmond . City of Burnside . 6–7 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071024065018/http://www.burnside.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Glen_Osmond.pdf . 24 October 2007 .
16. Web site: Facilities and Experiences. 27 September 2007. About Seymour. Seymour College . https://web.archive.org/web/20070829230757/http://www.seymour.sa.edu.au/facilities_experiences.htm . 29 August 2007.
17. Web site: Sports – Independent Girls Schools Sports Association. 2021-09-06. en-AU.
18. Web site: The Old Collegians' Association . 27 September 2007 . Seymour Community . Seymour College . https://web.archive.org/web/20070831021447/http://www.seymour.sa.edu.au/old_collegians.htm . 31 August 2007.
19. Web site: The Rhodes Scholarship, South Australia . 25 November 2010 . 2010 . Rhodes Scholarship Information . The University of Adelaide.
20. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Australia Live!. GRAVES (Jenny) Jennifer Ann Marshall. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
21. Web site: Teachers notes – Professor Jenny Graves: Geneticist . 27 September 2007. Interviews with Australian Scientists. Australian Academy of Science . https://web.archive.org/web/20070830133346/http://www.science.org.au/scientists/notesjg.htm . 30 August 2007.
22. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Business Live!. MARTIN Linley Margaret. 2007-09-29. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
    Biographies, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, www.teqsa.gov.au
23. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Business Live!. REID (Jan) Janice Clare. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
24. News: Brad Crouch . The Advertiser . Breast cancer pioneer Judith Roberts, AO, passes on . 17 February 2015 .
    Web site: Member of the Order of Australia (AM) . 11 June 1984 . It's an Honour . "For service to the community, particularly women's affairs
    Web site: Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) . 9 June 2003 . It's an Honour . "For service to the community, particularly through leadership roles in a range of women's health, social service, family and multicultural organisations and boards, and to education through Flinders University, the Senior Secondary Board of South Australia and the Helpmann Academy."
    Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Australia Live!. ROBERTS Judith Mary. 2007-09-29. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
25. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Australia Live!. SLADE (Christie) Christina Mary. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
26. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Australia Live!. WOODS Claire Ann. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
27. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Business Live!. CLYNE Leonie Jane. 28 November 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
28. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Business Live!. HEWSON Carolyn Judith. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
29. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Business Live!. LEWIS-GRAY Elizabeth. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
30. Web site: Janet Bridgland . 27 September 2007. About the Artist . Greenhill Galleries Adelaide . https://web.archive.org/web/20070829083042/http://greenhillgalleriesadelaide.com.au/bridgland/index.htm . 29 August 2007.
31. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Business Live!. LEAKE Helen Louise. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
32. Web site: Matthews, Penny. 27 September 2007. 2007. Agent Details. AustLit.
33. Web site: News Team Personal Profiles. 27 September 2007. 2007. The News Desk. National Nine News.
34. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/miss-universe-australia-olivia-rogers-wants-to-be-a-role-model-of-health-and-happiness/news-story/e29fb1b6487f39d8bc81af0d35f8ff89%3famp The Advertiser
35. Encyclopedia: McHugh. Mary . Australian Dictionary of Biography. Gibson, Freda Evelyn (1908–1977) . Freda Evelyn Gibson (1908–1977) . 27 September 2007. 1996. Melbourne University Press. 14. 267–268.
36. Web site: Who Is Rhodanthe?. 2021-07-19. Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwives Charitable Fund. en-AU.
37. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Australia Live!. BRANSON Catherine Margaret, Hon. Justice. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
38. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Australia Live!. LAIDLAW Diana Vivienne, Hon.. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
39. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Australia Live!. TANNER Susan Elizabeth, HE. 29 September 2007. 17 November 2006 . Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.