GPS Schools
|
|
The GPS (Great Public Schools) are a group of schools in Sydney, Australia sharing common interests, ethics, educational philosophy and contest sporting events between themselves. It should be noted that most of the GPS schools are in fact private schools.
The member Schools of the GPS are now:
- The King's School - Founded 1831
- Sydney Grammar School - Founded 1854
- Newington College - Founded 1863
- St Ignatius College - Founded 1880
- St. Joseph's College - Founded 1881
- Sydney Boys High School - Founded 1883
- The Shore School - Founded 1889
- The Scots College - Founded 1893
- The Armidale School - Founded 1894
| Contents |
Year of joining GPS
Foundation Members of the 30 March 1892 meeting
- The King's School
- St Ignatius College
- St Joseph's College
- All Saints College, Bathurst
- The Shore School
Members admitted after the 12 April 1892 meeting
- Sydney Grammar School
- Newington College
- Cooerwull Academy
Members admitted after the 28 April 1892 meeting
- St Patrick’s College, Goulburn
- St Stanislaus College, Bathurst
- The Scots College
Other Members
- The Armidale School - 7 May 1897
- Sydney Boys High School - 14 February 1906
Type of school
- Sydney Grammar School - Day boys only
- The King's School - Mixture of day boys & boarders
- St Joseph's College - Boarders only
- Newington - Mostly day boys, with the option to board
- The Scots College - Mixture of day boys & boarders
- Sydney Boys High School - Day boys only
- The Shore School - Mixture of day boys & boarders
- St Ignatius College - Mixture of day boys & boarders
GPS sports
- Rowing
- Rugby (Union)
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Fencing
- Volleyball
- Sailing
- Cricket
- Basketball
- Swimming
- Athletics
- Rifle Shooting
History
The Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales (A.A.G.P.S) formed at a meeting in a cafe on 30 March 1892. Present were: The King's School; St Ignatius' College; St Joseph's College; All Saints College, Bathurst; and the North Shore Grammar School (SCEGS), now called The Shore School.
Sydney Grammar School, Newington College, and Cooerwull Academy joined on 12 April.
Just two weeks later, others joined, including St Patrick's College Goulburn, St Stanislaus College Bathurst and The Scots College, followed by The Armidale School on 7 May 1897 and Sydney High School in 14 February, 1906, although Sydney High had applied in March 1894.
The present-day (as of 2004) AAGPS has just nine members: the eight GPS schools plus The Armidale School, a country boarding school.
Sports
The sports contested in 1892 were Rugby, Athletics, with Cricket and Rowing the following year. Rifle shooting was formally admitted 1903 but was contested from 1893.
- Rugby
- Competition commenced in 1892.
- Athletics
- Commenced in 1892.
- Cricket
- Competition began in 1893.
- Rowing
- Official competition commenced in 1893, although some schools had competed at club competition before then.
- Rifle Shooting
- School competition began in 1905. But results exist from 1893 when schools competed in club competition.
- Tennis
- A relatively recent entry, official GPS competition began in 1972.
- Basketball
- Began in 1975.
- Swimming
- Schools had originally "invited" teams from other schools to compete at their swimming carnival. From 1903 to 1921, races were held over whatever distance the host school saw fit. From 1923 the competition was limited to a GPS Relay held by the host school. With no trophy being awarded so far, competition remains unofficial (though strongly contested) since 1987.
- Cross Country
- Official competition commenced in 1988.
- Soccer
- Has been played since at least August 1880, but was limited to individual schools and whatever opponent could be found. Official GPS competition commenced in 1988 and is now one of the most numerous competitions in terms of players.
NB: Please edit to include Brisbane/SE Qld GPS Schools and their history/sport/Head of the River etc.