| The Southport School | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | |
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2 Winchester Street,Southport,Queensland Australia | |
| Coordinates | 27°59′8″S153°24′52″E / 27.98556°S 153.41444°E /-27.98556; 153.41444 |
| Information | |
| Type | Independentearly learning,primary andsecondaryday andboarding school |
| Motto | Latin:Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat (Let him who deserves the palm of victory bear it.) |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Established | 1901; 124 years ago (1901) |
| Founder | Horace Henry Dixon |
| Chairman | Adam Twemlow |
| Headmaster | Andrew Hawkins |
| Years | Early learning toYear 12 |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Enrolment | c. 1,551[1] |
| Colour(s) | Navy, white & maroon |
| Tuition | Varies by grade[2] |
| Affiliation |
|
| Alumni | Old Southportonians |
| Website | www |
The Southport School (TSS) is anindependentAnglicanearly learning,primary andsecondaryday andboarding school forboys, located inSouthport, a suburb on theGold Coast ofQueensland,Australia.
Established in 1901 by the RevdHorace Henry Dixon, TSS is the oldest Anglican boys' boarding school in Queensland and the only all-boys boarding school on the Gold Coast.[3] The school has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 1305 students from early learning toYear 12, including 276 boarders from Years 7 to 12.[4]
The school is affiliated with the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA),[4] the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA),[5] theIndependent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA),[6] Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ),[7] and has been a member of theGreat Public Schools Association of Queensland (GPS) since 1920.[8]
The Southport School was established in 1901 by the Revd (later Rt Revd)Horace Dixon. The land was originally owned by Benjamin and Ann Spendelove.[9]
The first boarding houses (Delpratt, McKinley and Thorold) were established in 1908.[10]
The Southport School has the third oldest school boat club in Queensland, having first started rowing in 1905.[11] This followedBrisbane Grammar School andIpswich Grammar School first having a rowing contest in 1890.[12]
The following is a list of the headmasters of the school.[citation needed]
| Period | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1901–1929 | The Revd (later Rt Revd)Horace Henry DixonCBE | |
| 1930–1935 | Bertram George Lawrance | |
| 1936–1940 | Verney Lovett Johnstone | |
| 1941–1950 | John Norman Radcliffe | |
| 1950–1971 | Cecil Garton PearceOBE | |
| 1972–1987 | John Henry DayAM | |
| 1988–2003 | Bruce Alexander CookOAM | |
| 2004–2020 | Greg Wain | |
| 2021– | Andrew Hawkins |
The Southport School utilises ahouse system. The Senior School is divided vertically into the twelve houses: eight day boy houses and four boarding houses. The Preparatory School is divided into four houses. The Senior Houses are:[13]
| Name | Day/boarding | Colours |
|---|---|---|
| Atkinson | Day | |
| Biddle | Boarding | |
| Delpratt | Boarding | |
| Kaiser | Day | |
| Maughan | Day | |
| McKinley | Boarding | |
| Melbourne | Day | |
| Radcliffe | Day | |
| Surman | Day | |
| Thorold | Boarding | |
| Turnock | Day | |
| Walker | Day | |
| Rogers | Boarding year 7 only | |
| Musgrave | Prep-day | |
| Shepherd | Prep-day | |
| Dixon | Prep-day | |
| Mitre | Prep-day |
The three original houses – Delpratt, McKinley and Thorold – were founded in 1909, 1909 and 1908, respectively.[citation needed][inconsistent]
TSS has a strong sporting tradition and over the years has produced many Australian and international athletes of note. The school currently offers the following activities to its students:basketball,chess,cricket,cross country,debating,soccer,gymnastics,rowing,rugby,swimming,sailing,tennis, andtrack and field. TSS has been a member of theGreat Public Schools' Association Inc (GPS) since 1920.[8] TSS fields soccer teams within the development divisions ofFootball Queensland South Coast. The school has achieved many sporting premierships during its membership.[citation needed]
GPS Premierships (official GPS records):[citation needed]
Associated Schools Championships:[citation needed]
State Championships[citation needed]
Champions: 2023The Southport School employs a team ofgifted and talented staff, constituting the school's 'Academic Talent Development' (ATD) program. The program is composed of enrolled students who have displayed exceptional results in their respectiveACER tests, and encourages them to pursue their academic prowess by championing initiatives and competition such asFuture Problem Solving (FPS),[14]Tournament of the Minds (TOMs),[15] DaVinci Decathlon,[16]F1 in schools,[17] Maths Olympiads, and variousmodel united nations conferences, including a TSS-run competition including other schools from aroundSouth-East Queensland known as TSSMUN, and Bond University's High School Model United Nations competition, BUHMUN.[18]
The Old Southportonians Association (OSA) is the alumni organisation for Old Boys of the school. All Old Boys of the school become a member of the OSA, which boasts a proud list of members such asNathan Sharpe,Michael Neser, and more. The OSA is run by Old Boys, ATK20 Noah Purza-Page and other volunteers[19] The OSA celebrated its 100 years as a recognised body in 2007.
Historic figures also include past choirmasterHenry John King.[citation needed]
The Southport School is a member ofRound Square and as such has an extensive network of partner schools with which it performs many student exchanges. TSS is involved in a student exchange program with theBaylor School inChattanooga,Tennessee, United States; and withCollingwood School inWest Vancouver,British Columbia, Canada.[citation needed]
The two surviving buildings of thePacific Cable Station were relocated to the school in 1982 for use as the school's music department. Largely untouched from their original form, they are listed on theGold Coast Local Heritage Register.[20]
