All Hallows' School

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All Hallows' School is a Catholic, day school for girls', located close to the central business district of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Founded on 1861, the school follows in the tradition of the Irish Sisters of Mercy, and currently caters for over 1,300 girls from years 5 to 12.^[1] The school was the first permanent home of the Sisters of Mercy in Queensland, and is the oldest surviving secondary school in Brisbane.^[2]

All Hallows' is a member of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),^[3] the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australia,^[4] and the Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association.^[5]

The current principal, Dr. Lee-Anne Perry, is the first member of the laity to become headmistress of the school.

The schools motto is in French Dieu et devoir which is translated in English is God and Duty which was formulated in 1911, 50 years after the school opened, thus its reason for having a French motto was due to its strong French influence in the schools early years and is unusual for schools to adopt, adapt and elect to have a French motto.

The story of the foundation of All Hallows' School must be set against the rudimentary "pioneer" education system and bitter sectarian disputes in Queensland education during the 1850s and early 1860s. According to Johnston (1982, p. 104), until 1860, "secondary education tended to receive a fairly low priority in state thinking - which was not surprising since the provision of a primary level was so difficult, to difficult to manage". He continues:

There were no state initiatives to provide its own system until 1912. Secondary education, seen as a perquisite of middle-class life, suitable for the children of business and professional men and established pastoralists, was allowed to be offered by private and church bodies (1982, p.104)

In 1860, the year before the foundation of the school, however, landmark legislation was passed by the Queensland colonial parliament providing for the functioning of the first private "grammar schools" within the colony. This legislation allowed for the foundation of secondary schools by both Catholics and other non-state bodies. As a result of this legislation, Ipswich Grammar School was established to become the first grammar school in Queensland in 1863.

In a time of deep sectarian divisions, the legislation worried the Catholic hierarchy of the colony, especially Bishop Quinn who believed that the wealthy of the colony would be greatly advantaged under the new legislative regime. Under the Grammar Schools Act (1860), the provision of ₤1000 by a new grammar school's governing body to develop the school would then result in various forms of government aid. Wealthy members of the community were able to raise such a subscription with relative ease and, as such, would be able to perpetuate a cycle of affluence. Demographically, many of Queensland's poorest residents at this time were both Roman Catholic and of Irish immigrant stock - reflecting a worldwide pattern at this time. Queensland historian Ross Fitzgerald points out that until well into the twentieth century "the majority of (Queensland Catholics)... belonged to lower socio-economic groups" (1984, p 12). As a result of the legislation, grammar schools opened throughout the 1860s and 1870's in, not only Ipswich but also, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Maryborough, Rockhampton and Townsville. Little under the legislation was specifically targeted to relieve the burdens of educating the poor of Queensland and among these, the poorest and most disadvantaged were often women who had yet to receive the franchise.

Contrary to the development of most schools, All Hallows' School, as the first Catholic secondary school in Queensland, sought to serve those less fortunate in colonial society while operating under the same legislative framework as the more affluent grammar schools. Serving poorer, often Irish, Roman Catholic, immigrant women in the area of Fortitude Valley, the School did not raise the required subscription for government aid and, in a time of bitter sectarianism within Queensland, the school maintained fierce independence in curriculum from what was seen by many within the Catholic community as attempts by a hostile secular government at interference. A leading supporter of the Sisters of Mercy in this approach was the controversial Bishop James Quinn.

It should further be noted that the early Mercy Sisters and their students at this time played a significant role in the development of women's rights within Queensland. The details of the specific origins of All Hallows' highlight the concerns of the Sisters of Mercy for the plight of the working poor in colonial Queensland. All Hallows' began in 1861 as a plea from a future student to Mother Vincent Whitty of the Sisters of Mercy to become a boarder in the cottages next to the convent on Charlotte St., where the Sisters were residing. It was this student that reputedly provoked a thirst for the education of women within Mother Vincent Whitty, and the desire to create a community united under the goal of promoting "Dieu et Devior" — "God and Duty" in Queensland's young women. This student, along with 16 other boarders from various socio-economic backgrounds, had become the pioneers in a long tradition of the education of women within Brisbane.

In 1863, with pupils and Sisters growing in numbers, it was soon realised that a suitable place for a convent must be found. It was envisaged that a small House of Mercy would be established on the site of what would become All Hallows' School. November 1, 1863 saw the transfer of the party from a small structure adjacent to what is now Saint Stephen's Cathedral to 'Adderton House' overlooking the Brisbane River from high upon Duncan's Hill.

The Bishop has lately purchased the finest house and situation in Brisbane for a convent. The purchase money is 6,000 - where it is to come from I know not - but I trust God will send it. As soon as we get into it, we are to commence a House of Mercy... The constant influx of Emmigrants renders a House of Mercy desirable but it will not be a big one...^[6]

Mother Vincent Whitty marvelled at the position of the new house in a way that many visitors to the school have done since 1863. Writing to Ireland with news of the move to Duncan's Hill she stated:

I wish I could give you an idea of the beauty of the situation of this house. The view of the river from the Balcony is lovely and in the distance the thick bush, is here and there cleared away, with the town at one side of the River, it certainly is very beautiful.^[7]

Adderton House was originally constructed in 1858 by John Petrie for Dr. George Fuller (Mahoney, 1985 p.6). The school was given the official name of All Hallows' by Mother Vincent Whitty who, while well acquainted with All Hallows College in Dublin, named the new Brisbane school after a seventh century church - All Hallows-by-the-Tower in London, England. All Hallows-by-the-Tower is the earliest parish church in London and Mother Vincent Whitty was well aware that the Dublin College was named for the priory on which it was built, which in turn was named after this other famous London landmark.

Adderton House, is still present on the school grounds along with other heritage buildings such as McAuley Hall, Main Building (a prominent turreted structure) and St Ann's.

All Hallows' has a vertical (mixed aged) House structure designed to facilitate the pastoral and organisational culture of the school. Every student and staff member belongs to one of the eight houses of which are named after significant people or places within the history of the school. Each house is designated a 'sporting' colour.

• Adderton – Green (named after Adderton House building on the school grounds)
• Coolock – Blue (named after the house in Ireland where Cathrine McAuley lived)
• Gorry – Gold (named after Queensland born Mercy Sister Jane Gorry)
• Loretto – Pink (named after long serving school principal Sister M. Loretto Flynn. Principal: 1916, 1933-1959)
• McAuley – Silver (named after the founder of the Mercy Order, Catherine McAuley)
• Mercedes (pronounced "mer-say-days" as per the traditional Spanish pronunciation) – Orange (The Spanish word for Mercy)
• Tighe – Purple (named after the first enrolled student at AHS, Annie Tighe.)
• Whitty – Red (named after the first principal of AHS, Mother Vincent Whitty)

Each house is divided into seven "home groups" led by teaching staff. These home groups meet each morning and for regularly timetabled extended periods. Each of the Houses is led by a House Co-Ordinator who, in turn, work closely with the Deputy Principal and other support staff.

Throughout the year, numerous Interhouse and Intrahouse Competitions are held. The most significant Interhouse Competitions include: Swimming, Cross Country, Debating, House Choir and Athletics. Each house holds its own range of intrahouse activities largely organised and led by students. These activities include: Girls' Nights In, Social Justice work, team building activities and initiative challenges. Student house leaders encourage home groups to compete for Intrahouse Trophies (such as the 'Whitty Cup' and the 'Gorry Grail').

All Hallows' is a member of numerous sporting and other associations including:

• Brisbane School Girls' Sports Association
• Queensland Debating Union
• Queensland Netball
• Independent Schools' Soccer Association
• The Associated Schools' (Junior)
• Gateway District Sports Association
• Metropolitan East District Sports Association

Further the School regularly takes part in competitions including the:

• Duhig Cup (Swimming)
• Beirne Cup (Athletics)
• Knowles Cup (Tennis)
• Queensland Schoolgirls Waterpolo Championships
• Queensland Schools Futsal Championships
• Uhlsport Cup (Football)
• Queensland Swimming Championships
• Catholic Tennis Championships
• "Head of the River" Rowing
• Queensland All Schools Volleyball
• Queensland Catholic Schools Touch Championships
• Queensland Catholic Music Festival
• Queensland All Schools Touch Championships

All Hallows' School supports numerous activities through the activities of parent support groups which act in a similar way to community groups or clubs within the AHS school community. These support groups encourage parent assistance in the running of school groups and fundraise for their clubs. Support groups act under the auspices of the Parents' and Friends' Association.

Parent Support Groups at All Hallows' include:

• AHS Waterpolo
• All Hallows' Touch Football
• All Hallows' Netball
• All Hallows' Hockey
• All Hallows' Rowing
• All Hallows' Football and Futsal

Student based clubs and societies at All Hallows' include many groups such as Amnesty International and the Mercy Action Group.

Some traditional aspects of the school daily life include:

• Students celebrate each other's birthdays with gifts of a single flower (often a gerbra). The origins of this tradition are unclear but this tradition continues to this day. Gerbra flowers have grown on the school campus in a variety of areas around the convent for many years.
• The school Angelus bell rings to this day at Midday. The bell is traditionally rung by year 10 students and is rung to a distinctive pattern. The bell (called "Charles Borromeo" in honour of the saint by the same name by boarders in the 1880s) was donated to the Sisters of Mercy by Dublin lawyer Charles Cavanagh and was hung in its current location in 1882.
• The "Welcome" Cup of Tea. With its origins somewhere in the early days of the All Hallows' history, it is traditional for guests to be welcomed to the school with a cup of tea. It has been suggested that the priority placed upon this welcoming "ritual" began with Mother Vincent Whitty.
• Senior Badge Swapping. On the final day of school for graduating seniors, a ritual of senior badge swapping takes place in which the outgoing Year 12 students "commission" their successors in the current Year 11 classes.
• Jump'n'Jive. The unofficial warcry of All Hallows', this chant is performed by students at, before or after significant school events. It is especially common as a "wishing" of good luck or congratulations. Traditionally, Jump'n'Jive is performed by groups of students with arms linked over each others shoulders to form a circle. As the chant is performed, students bounce to the rhythm of the words. Occasions when this warcry is performed include at swimming carnivals, after athletics and cross-country meets, prior to rowing regattas, on the final day of graduating students, after significant group victories or individual achievements, after most victorious sporting events, and following the Senior Graduation Mass.
• Inaugural Mass and Commissioning of School Leaders. Originally held in St Stephen's Cathedral, the Inaugral Mass is now annually held during February at the Brisbane City Hall. This is a formal eucharistic celebration incorporating commissioning of staff, parents and students into their roles. This event mark the formal commencement of school captains and house captains period of office as they receive their badges from the Head of the Queensland Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy.
• All Hallows' Day Mass and Picnic Day. Since 1861, All Hallows' Day (All Saints Day) has been traditionally observed with a formal school eucharistic celebration (now held in Brisbane City Hall) and with the informal student based picnic day. The picnic day has on occasion been held at locations such as Caloundra and Mt Cootha National Park. In recent years, the entire school has celebrated its foundation with an excursion to Amazons and more recently at the Wet'n'Wild Water World aquatic theme park on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
• Singing the Angeli. The school song (La Toussaint) is sung in Latin at the commencement of school assemblies and significant events. Senior students graduating at the close of their final school year are farewelled from the school with a mass singing of this song.

Current Uniform: The current school uniform, designed by a committee of parents, students, past-students and staff during the late 1980s, incorporates the traditional white, sky blue and rust colours associated with AHS' history.

In its current form, the All Hallows' formal school uniform consists of a blouse and skirt (coulottes for the All Hallows' Middle School) predominantly sky blue in colour with fine white pin-striping. Piping on the collar of the blouse is in the traditional rust brown. This uniform is worn with a white straw hat with sky, white and rust band which incorporates the school crest and motto. This uniform is worn with brown leather shoes and white socks for the secondary school and blue socks for the middle school.

The All Hallows' School sports uniform consists of a white "polo"-style shirt with sky blue collar and either a sky blue netball skirt or shorts.

Past Uniform: Numerous versions of the uniform has existed in the past at All Hallows'. These uniforms in their earliest days incorporated a dark (or royal) blue before emphasising both rust brown and sky blue.

Head wear has always been a feature of the All Hallows' School uniform with hats and berets featuring in uniform designs until the current day.

Former students of All Hallows' are known as 'Old Girls' and may elect to join the 'Past Pupils’ Association'.^[8] Some notable All Hallows' 'Old Girls' include:

Academia, science and education

• Theresa Creagh, OAM - education
• Annemarie Devereux, author and law expert
• Zelle Hodge (Campbell), Queensland President, Australian Medical Association, 2006
• Leah Horwitz, AOM - music
• Gabrielle Kelly, engineer, NASA Space Shuttle Project
• Carmel Montomgomery, haemotologist
• Kateena O'Gorman, Rhodes Scholar
• Gabrielle Persley, ecology and agricultural biotechnology
• Eleanor Townsley, author, sociologist and feminist (based in the USA)
• Marelyn Wintour-Couglan, physiologist

Business, industry and commerce

• Betty Byrne Ford, motor industry
• Patrice Derrington, architecture and engineering
• Catherine Donovan, public relations
• Margaret MacDonald, civil engineering
• Elizabeth Musgrave, architecture
• Karen O'Rourke, workplace health and safety
• Gail Reid^[9] fashion designer and model
• Sarina Russo, business identity
• Rhonda White, pharmacy industry

Media, arts and entertainment

• Elizabeth Alexander, actor and dramatist
• Thea Astley, author and novelist
• Leisha Bonfield, pioneering radio announcer and broadcaster
• Nina Clarke, children's television presenter
• Samantha Cohen, journalist
• Judy Conelli, vocalist
• Sarah Crane, opera
• Monica Curro, musician
• Sarah Curro, musician
• Emily Delitt, violinist, Australian Chamber Orchestra
• Gabrielle di Labio, actor
• Ellen Fanning, journalist
• Silvana Gardner, visual artist
• Margaret Mercia Baker Genovesi, opera
• Clare Hansson, Jazz musician
• Ernestine Hill, author
• Miranda Kerr, model
• Mary Rose MacColl, author
• Sr Jean-Marie Mahoney, historian and author
• Larissa McGown, dancer and choreographer
• Maxine McKew, journalist and media commentator
• Paula Rosenstengel, artist
• Maruerite Sopinksi, musician
• Lisa Jane Stockwell, theatre
• Robin Watford, artist

Public administration, law and politics

• Fran Bailey, Member of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia
• Di Fingleton, first female Chief Magistrate of Queensland.
• Teresa Gambaro, Member of House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia
• Maxine McKew, ALP candidate (2007) for the Sydney House of Representatives seat of Bennelong currently held by Australian conservative Prime Minister John Howard. (See further entry below)
• Pamela O'Neill, Australia's first Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Religion

• Sr Kath Burke, SM Congregation Leader and Australian Institute Leader
• Sr Denise Coghlan, Jesuit Refugee Services, Cambodia
• Sr Catherine Courtney, SM Congregation Leader
• Mother Mary Elizabeth Duncombe, SM Congregation Leader
• Sr Regis Mary Dunne, bioethicist
• Sr Sandra Lupi, SM Congregation Leader
• Mother Marcella McCormick, SM Congregation Leader
• Sr Mary Claver McDermott, languages

Sport

• Elyssia Canham, Australian soccer player (Olympic squad, the Matildas, Athens)
• Clare Cooke, Australian swimmer (Empire Games 1961)
• Marguerite Houston, Australian rowing team (Olympics and Commonwealth Games)
• Marianna Lee, Australian table tennis
• Julie Majer, Australian swimmer (short course)
• Debbie Pickersgill, Australian athlete (field)
• Emily Rosemond, Australian Winter Olympian (speed skating)
• Jodie Stuhmcke, Australian waterpolo (Olympics)
• Tracey Wickham, Australian swimmer (Olympics and Commonwealth Games)
• Rachel Wilkes, Australian diver

Other

• Mary Emelia Mayne^[10] (1858 - 1939), philantropist and significant figure in Queensland social history.

This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (August 2007)

• Other buildings include the Chapel, Main Building, Aquinas, Loretto Hall, Mercy Hall, St Ann's, St Bridget's, the Potter Building and the Whitty Centre. Almost the entire school campus is listed upon heritage registers with the Queensland government, including the large Moreton Bay Fig trees, the school itself, the buildings, the grounds and the 'rock wall' surrounding the school.

• 
  A class, with their Mercy Sister teachers, at All Hallows' in 1890. (Original image available at the State Library of Queensland)
• 
  All Hallows' School (Main Building) dominated the Brisbane skyline during the 1893 Brisbane Floods. This view shows the flood waters at Kangaroo Point in the foreground.
• 
  An image from Main Street, Kangaroo Point looking north across the Brisbane River to All Hallows' School. The architect for the Main Building was Andreas Stombucco.
• 
  A 1914 image of St Ann's Industrial School (part of All Hallows' School). Road level of Ann Street, Brisbane, has been lowered on numerous occasions since 1861 and this has affected the proportions of the current gate.(Original image available at the State Library of Queensland)
• 
  This photograph taken in 1915 of the staff of the Austral Carriage Company shows the facade of what is now beneath the Claver Theatre and Consilo Aquatic Complex. This facade is heritage listed and provides part of the All Hallows' School Boundary Street fenceline.
• 
  The Story bridge under construction in 1938 with All Hallows' School (Main Building) clearly in the background. Original image available at the State Library of Queensland
• 
  During World War 2, Brisbane was the headquarters of the Supreme Commander Allied Powers (Pacific), US General Douglas MacArthur and as such a major military staging point. In this image, Australian troops take part in a parade along Ann Street during 1942. Note the All Hallows' gates in the background. (Original image available at the State Library of Queensland)

• The heritage listed Adderton Building in 2007. Adderton is much enlarged from the original house built by Petrie. At left, the Chapel wing is visible. Until Jul 25, 2007, the majority of the building remained a convent for the Mercy Sisters. After that time the entire building became a shared facilty, used by both All Hallows' School and the Mercy heritage Centre. Visible in the foreground is the school's central grassed area, "The Terrace".
  The heritage listed Adderton Building in 2007. Adderton is much enlarged from the original house built by Petrie. At left, the Chapel wing is visible. Until Jul 25, 2007, the majority of the building remained a convent for the Mercy Sisters. After that time the entire building became a shared facilty, used by both All Hallows' School and the Mercy heritage Centre. Visible in the foreground is the school's central grassed area, "The Terrace".
• The bell tower on "the Walk" between Main Building and Adderton Building. The heritage listed "Walk" runs adjacent to the Terrace and houses the Charles Borromeo bell.
  The bell tower on "the Walk" between Main Building and Adderton Building. The heritage listed "Walk" runs adjacent to the Terrace and houses the Charles Borromeo bell.
• The Consilo Aquatic Centre (part of the 2006-7 Dodge Lane Project) incorporated an Olympic standard waterpolo pool (2 side by side courts), a gymnasium, 300 seat auditorium (the Claver Theatre), and Piazza as well as seating, performance and parking areas. Visible in the background of this image are the the Loretto and Mercy Hall indoor courts and assembly complexes (curved roof structure) and Aquinas classroom block.
  The Consilo Aquatic Centre (part of the 2006-7 Dodge Lane Project) incorporated an Olympic standard waterpolo pool (2 side by side courts), a gymnasium, 300 seat auditorium (the Claver Theatre), and Piazza as well as seating, performance and parking areas. Visible in the background of this image are the the Loretto and Mercy Hall indoor courts and assembly complexes (curved roof structure) and Aquinas classroom block.
• Front view of the Potter Building. Of note in this image are the entry to the Potter Library (Secondary School), branches of one of the many Moreton Bay Fig that are found on the grounds, and the 2 levels of science laboratories located above th Potter Library.
  Front view of the Potter Building. Of note in this image are the entry to the Potter Library (Secondary School), branches of one of the many Moreton Bay Fig that are found on the grounds, and the 2 levels of science laboratories located above th Potter Library.

• 
  Sr Jane Gorry, first Queensland born Mercy sister.
• 
  Mother Catherine McAuley - founder of Mercy Order.
• 
  Mother Vincent Whitty - founder of All Hallows' School.

• Fitzgerald, R. (1984) A History of Queensland: 1915 to the Early 1980s, Brisbane: UQP.
• Johnston, W. Ross (1982) The Call of the Land: A History of Queensland to the Present Day, Brisbane: Jacaranda.
• Mahoney, J-M (1985) Dieu et Devoir: The Story of All Hallows' School Brisbane, 1861–1981. Brisbane: Boolarong Publications
• Mercy Women Making History: From the Pen of Mother Vincent Whitty (2001) Brisbane: Corporation of the Trustees of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy in Queensland.
• State Library of Queensland, Picture Queensland: All Hallows' School, Available at: http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/.
• Women Making History: A Heritage Exhibition Celebrating the First 40 Years of the Sisters of Mercy in Queensland 1861 - 1901 (2000), Brisbane: Sisters of Mercy - Brisbane Congregation.

• List of schools in Queensland

• All Hallows' School Official Site
• Official Site of the Mercy Heritage Centre based at All Hallows'
• All Hallows' School Aerial Photographs