Brisbane Girls Grammar School - House System

House System

As with most Australian schools, Brisbane Girls' Grammar utilises a house system. There are now nine houses, each named after past principals and teachers of the school as well as previous chairmen of the Board of Trustees:

Beanland (Pink)

Named after Sophia Beanland, the former Head Mistress of the School from 1882 to 1889. The House was first established in 1964 when the School had ten Houses, each with approximately fifty students. Beanland House and four other Houses were discontinued in 1966, as the system of ten Houses was not manageable. The House was reintroduced in 1994.

England (Blue)

Named after Mr John Edwyn England, one of the longest serving trustees of the school. He was a member of the trust for 20 years and was Chairman of the Board from 1952 to 1961.

Gibson (Purple)

Originally formed in 1964 and lasted until 1973 when the House System was discontinued in favour of a horizontal division based on year groups. Gibson House was officially re-constituted in February 1980 after a gap of seven years and is named in honour of Major John Lockhart Gibson, M.D. one of Brisbane's best known doctors. Gibson was appointed Vice-Chairman of the School Board of Trustees in 1906. From 1929, until his resignation in 1940 he served as Chairman of the Board.

Griffith (Red)

Originally established in 1964, and combined with Mackinlay House in 1966 to form a larger Griffith house. It continued in this form until 1973, when the house system was discontinued. Griffith House was officially re-constituted in February 1980 and is named in honour of Sir Samuel Walter Griffith, former Chairman of Trustees, Premier of the Colony of Queensland, Chief Justice of Queensland and the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Hirschfeld (Orange)

Named after Dr. Konrad Hirschfeld (1904–1987) who served as Chairman of the Board of Brisbane Girls Grammar School between 1963 and 1976. Dr. Hirschfeld was involved in many aspects of the medical profession and also had an enduring passion and commitment to education. Hirschfeld House was formed in 1980 in recognition of his services to education and the School.

Lilley (Green)

One of ten houses established in 1964. Lilley House was named after Sir Charles Lilley, the former Premier and Chief Justice of Queensland, and the founder of Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Particularly influential in the educational arena, Sir Charles Lilley had a substantial influence on the Education Act 1875, and was responsible for the introduction of free education in Queensland in 1870.

Mackay (White)

Started in 1998, and named after Margaret Annie Mackay, a pupil at the School in its early days. She became a teacher at Brisbane Girls Grammar School and finally was appointed Head Mistress in 1916. She retired in 1924.

O'Connor (Maroon)

Named after Brisbane Girls' Grammar School's first Headmistress, Mrs Janet O'Connor. From 1875 to 1877, O'Connor led the fledgling School which was then located in George Street. O'Connor House was established in 1964 and was discontinued in 1966. In 1990, it was re-established and adopted maroon as its colour.

Woolcock (Yellow)

First established in 1964, and named after John Laskey Woolcock in recognition of his contribution to the School and to education in general. In 1966, Woolcock and O'Connor Houses combined keeping the name Woolcock. In 1973 the House was discontinued, but was re-established in 1980.