An earlier Essendon Grammar School

The original Essendon Grammar School was established in 1867 by Charles Dyer.  In time the school was taken over by Samuel Craig who had this building purpose built in Park Street, Moonee Ponds, on the corner of Parry Street, in 1889.  The Grammar School closed at the end of 1905, and the premises taken over by Laurence McShane who opened a co-education school called Essendon College.  This school was shortlived, and by 1908 the premises was occupied by John Hill, MA, principal of the newly established St Thomas' Grammar School.  The principal and boarders lived at the house in Park Street.  John Hill was replaced in 1910 by George Gresham Robinson when the school merged with Carlton College.  The principal and boarders continued at the premises until a house was purchased by St Thomas' Grammar in Fletcher Street, Essendon in 1915.  At this time the house became a private residence.   Restored in recent years to its glory days, the building remains standing in Park Street.

Living the fairy tale in Essendon

What do they plan to do with small boys in that witches' house in Nicholson Street, Essendon?

"Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing,--
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble."

 The new PEGS Hall, digitally enhanced, but only a little bit.  Architects are now going to storybooks for their inspiration.

Christmas in Hall Street

Christmas comes to Hall Street with a tree decorated by the Year Three boys from Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School.  Nice work, boys!

The Schools that ate Moonee Ponds

Another large and prominent property in Moonee Ponds has fallen into the capacious property portfolio of a local school. Rumour has it that Hillebrand's tennis centre in Park Street, Moonee Ponds, has been purchased by Lowther Hall CEGGS.  A house in Sherbourne Street said to be owned by Lowther Hall has recently been demolished.  The school reputedly owns other houses in Sherbourne Street.

Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School Park Street campus is busy purchasing properties in Park Street and Ardmillan Road, and St Columba's is snapping up houses in Buckley Street and Lorraine Street.

It can't be long before they all meet in the middle.

Rather more insidious than property developers, these schools are quietly chewing up our suburbs - perfectly good homes are now empty awaiting the implementation of some Master Plan. 

Is any responsible planning body taking note, I wonder?  Do we want three super-campuses in the centre of Moonee Ponds/Essendon?  Is three enough? 

Where is Save Our Suburbs now?