Objects of Substance- Hymn Book

Perhaps the more thought-provoking question should be why, in a traditional and mainly Christian community, both schools were not aligned with a specific religion. Catholic and Church of England [Anglican] schools were certainly appearing but the two schools, side by side on Gregory Terrace, did not make that choice and welcomed all students, irrespective of belief system or heritage. Perhaps they were making a statement that every child deserved equal access to a sound education.

Lynne Reid’s Hymn Book 1962-65.

Much of the philosophy and the traditions of Girls Grammar stem from the beliefs of those original founders. That they held Christian values was clear as a guiding philosophy: fairness, the dignity and equality of every human being, loving your neighbour as yourself, working humbly with others for the common good. What should be remembered is that these values ring true with the beliefs of the other major religions and we see these values consistently evidenced in the Girls Grammar of the 21 st century. So, why is the hymn book something so clearly remembered by past students? Many of them, on returning to Grammar reunions, not only remember singing hymns at a daily Assembly in the heart of the Gailey-designed building but also recall playing the piano accompaniment. This ritual was a feature of school life right up to 1973 when weekly assemblies took their place, and the hymn books were phased out in 1977.