The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane Trading as Anglican Church Grammar School

The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane trading as Anglican Church Grammar School, commonly known as Churchie, is a nonprofit educational organization operating an Anglican boys’ school located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

History

Founded in 1912 by Canon William Perry French Morris, the school originally began as St Magnus Hall at Ardencraig, a house in Toowong. It was soon relocated to East Brisbane in 1918, where it established its current campus. The founder named the school after Saint Magnus, a Norse earl, intending students to be called 'Magnates,' though the informal nickname "Churchie" eventually became widely accepted. Over time, the school's name evolved from St Magnus Hall Collegiate School For Boys to The Cathedral School and then, for much of the 20th century, Church of England Grammar School (CEGS). In 1985, reflecting the renaming of the Church of England in Australia to the Anglican Church of Australia, it became officially known as Anglican Church Grammar School (ACGS) but is still popularly called Churchie.[2][4][5]

Mission and Educational Philosophy

The school was founded with the aim of "training characters as well as minds," emphasizing holistic education that nurtures personal development alongside academic achievement. Churchie offers education from preparatory levels through Year 12, focusing on a tailored educational program for boys.[1][3]

Student Body and Campus

Churchie has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently educates approximately 1,890 boys, including around 550 in the Preparatory School and 1,340 in the Senior School. It offers both day schooling and boarding, with boarding being a significant part of its community, accommodating over 170 boarders from Years 7 to 12. The school’s campus in East Brisbane features heritage-listed buildings and modern facilities supporting a wide range of academic, sporting, and cultural activities.[3][5]

Affiliations and Activities

The school is a member of the Great Public Schools (GPS) Association, competing in various academic, sporting, and cultural competitions with other prominent Brisbane schools. This affiliation reflects its commitment to high standards of education and extracurricular engagement.[3]

Heritage and Recognition

The Anglican Church Grammar School is recognized for its historical and architectural significance, having been entered on the Brisbane City Council Local Heritage Register in 2011. Key heritage buildings on campus include the Canon Jones Memorial Chapel and original early 20th-century structures that reflect the school's longstanding traditions and community presence.[4][5]

Summary

The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane trading as Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) stands as a significant Anglican educational institution with over a century of history. It maintains a strong focus on character formation, academic excellence, and holistic development within a heritage-rich environment in Brisbane.

[1] https://www.churchie.com.au/about/our-history/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Church_Grammar_School [3] https://www.churchie.com.au/about/ [4] http://heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/heritage-places/2081 [5] https://kangaroopointhistory.com.au/photo-gallery/schools/anglican-church-grammar-school/