Wellington Girls' College was founded in 1883 in Wellington, New Zealand. At that time it was called Wellington Girls' High School. Wellington Girls' College is a year 9 to 13 state secondary school, located in Thorndon in central Wellington.
History Seeing a need for higher education for girls the founding fathers of Wellington College leased a building in Abel Smith Street in 1882 and appointed Miss Martha Hamilton as the Lady Principal of the school. It opened on 2 February 1883 with 40 students. However, by the end of its first year the roll increased to almost 100 girls, and when the Premier, the Rt. Hon. Robert Stout visited the school in 1884 the building was overcrowded with 130 students. As a result of his visit the school was moved to its current site in Pipitea Street.
Before the school the Colonial Hospital, Wellington's first public hospital, was built on the site in 1847. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1848 and a new building large enough to meet the needs of the city was built in 1855. It was replaced by Wellington Hospital.
In 1925 the Wellington East Girls' College was established to serve the southern and eastern suburbs.
Notable alumnae
The arts Fleur Adcock – poet Isobel Andrews – playwright, novelist, short-story writer and poet Sylvia Ashton-Warner – writer, poet and educator Leigh Brewer – dancer and choreographer Vidyamala Burch – writer and mindfulness teacher Joe Cotton – pop singer Anne French – editor and poet Rebecca Gibney – actor Robin Hyde – poet, novelist, biographer and journalist Annabel Langbein – celebrity cook, food writer and publisher Katherine Mansfield – writer Elizabeth McRae – actor Marjory Nicholls – poet Anna Paquin – actor Beverley Randell – children's author Jo Randerson – writer, playwright, theatre director and performer Fran Walsh – screenwriter and film producer Bridget Williams – publisher
Public service Nellie Coad – teacher, community leader, writer Cathy Dewes – Māori language advocate, educator Winnie Laban – politician Margaret Shields – politician
Science and medicine Elaine Gurr – doctor Helen Deem – doctor Theodora Clemens Hall – doctor Ocean Mercier – scientist Marion Robinson – professor of nutrition Dianne Sika–Paotonu – immunologist
Sports Gina Crampton – netball player Tegan Graham – basketball player Beth Jurgeleit – hockey player Jackie Kiddle – rower Trish McKelvey – cricketer Melissa Moon – athlete Thamsyn Newton – cricketer Rebecca Perrott – swimmer Sarah Tetzlaff – competition climber and Olympian Jade Wilson – squash player
Notable staff Airini Beautrais – poet Edith Searle Grossmann – novelist and journalist Edith Howes – writer and educationalist
Principals PrincipalPeriod 1 Martha Hamilton 1883–1900 2 Mary McLean 1900–1926 3 Violet Greig 1926–1938 4 Esther North 1938–1950 5 Maida Clark 1950–1958 6 Betty Fraser 1958–1978 7 Elaine Barnett 1978–1995 – Kath Kelly (acting) 1995 8 Ngaire Newton 1995–1996 – Kath Kelly (acting) 1996–1997 9 Marg McLeod 1997–2006 – Denise Johnson (acting) 2006–2007 10 Julia Davidson 2008–present
References