Objects of Substance- Wilkinson Banner

Over the next twelve years she won the confidence, loyalty, and sympathy of staff and Trustees, reinvigorated the curriculum, improved the Boarding House; all of this resulting in numbers increasing by a third, to 130 pupils. Wilkinson believed that “School life must succeed in drawing out a girl's capacities, cultivating to the utmost both bodily accomplishments and mental graces” ( Maryborough Chronicle , Friday 15 December 1893, p.2) and demonstrated this when she persuaded the Girls Grammar Board to install a small laboratory so that practical physics could be introduced into the curriculum . Physical Education was also very important to her, and she promoted gymnastics, swimming, tennis, cricket (she advocated for a cricket pitch on the Spring Hill campus), and rowing. She was instrumental in establishing the Queensland Girls Secondary Schools Sport Association in 1908 with her counterparts at St Margaret’s and Somerville House . On her retirement, the Trustees described her as “one of the highest educationists in Australia”, and a reporter wrote in the Brisbane Courier (Saturday 14 December 1912, p. 21) “The news of her retirement has brought to Miss Wilkinson letters from old pupils now scattered all over the world – letters that pay tribute to the woman, as high as any that have been paid to the educationist”. In 1964, Form II students (later called Year 8s), commenced their secondary schooling for the first time in Queensland. In addition, the Headmistress, Mrs Louise McDonald, introduced a new structure for co-curricular competitions (predominantly sporting), namely Houses. The House system was growing in popularity in schools throughout the State. One advantage over the Form system was that older students had the opportunity to get to know younger students as well as taking an interest in their welfare. In addition, competition for the Kathleen Lilley donated Challenge Shield for Physical Culture would be fairer: points were gained by each House, and it was hoped that a new spirit of loyalty, devotion, and service would be created. Mrs McDonald felt that this system would also provide more senior girls with a greater opportunity to take responsibility and display leadership. (Board Minutes 12 Feb 1964 Head Mistress’s Report)

The Challenge Shield for Physical Culture (detail). Note winning Houses, forms, and Boarders House.