Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2010

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SOPHIA BEANLAND SIR CHARLES LILLEY HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR A LADY OF HIGH ATTAINMENT AND REFINEMENT, WELL-GROUNDED IN LATIN, WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF EUCLID, ALGEBRA, FRENCH OR GERMAN, WITH EXPERIENCE IN TUITION AND NOT YOUNGER THAN 27 TO FULFIL THE POSITION OF LADY PRINCIPAL. SOPHIA BEANLAND WAS RECRUITED FROM BRADFORD GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN YORKSHIRE. LADY PRINCIPAL 1882 – 1888

In one of those serendipitous moments in history, Bradford Girls Grammar School, (also known as BGGS) celebrates its 135th anniversary in 2010. During her time as Lady Principal, Miss Beanland witnessed or championed significant changes. In 1882, the girls’ school successfully separated from Brisbane Grammar School to form a self supporting institution with its own endowment. This was followed by the commissioning of a new, specially designed purpose built school for girls. To Miss Beanland fell the task of relocating the School in 1884 from its out-dated, rented premises to a new, spacious building on Gregory Terrace. Miss Beanland was convinced that girls should receive a holistic rather than a narrow education. She encouraged the study of both academic and domestic subjects. In addition, students were expected to partake in physical exercises. In the ensuing years, a number of subjects were added to this extensive curriculum. In relation to health and fitness, Miss Beanland negotiated with the Headmaster of the Boys’ School for her students to use their gymnasium. Determined to gain a similar facility, she launched an appeal which saw a girls’ gymnasium built in 1888. A Lawn Tennis Club for both current and “old” girls was also established. Demonstrating her commitment to learning through reading, Miss Beanland developed the School’s first Reference Library for staff, and eventually a student library, both of which were located in the Main Building. In memory of her work in this area, the current library bears her name.

But the task of leading and revolutionising a school which became the vanguard of education for young ladies took its toll. On medical advice, Miss Beanland tended her resignation in early 1888 and returned to England where she died in May 1925. Her estate was bequeathed to the School. It would appear she never lost her enthusiasm for the School, and in 1914 offered a medal to be awarded annually for excellence of design and workmanship in home needlework. The resulting Esther Beanland Medal, in memory of her mother, is now given on Speech Day. During this same ceremony, Sophia Beanland Prizes are awarded for languages. In recognition of her selfless commitment to the education of young women, Beanland House was introduced in 1994.

Elizabeth Hatton HERITAGE PROJECTS

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