Foundation Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney

fernlea, plc s first home in ashfield, c. 1888

in 1883 general assembly of presbyterian church of nsw formed special committee investigate proposal establish boarding schools girls , boys, provide presbyterian alternatives proliferating number of roman catholic secondary schools in colony. minister @ richmond, rev james cameron stated: presbyterians should take prompt action because popish party, seeing want felt throughout colony in regard higher education, has stepped in supply want, , if protestants did not matter, roman catholics take advantage of them. general assembly inspired establish school, particularly ladies college, less worthy motives. other protestant denominations in nsw had established own ladies colleges, , neighbouring colony of victoria had maintained presbyterian ladies college since 1875, , felt nsw presbyterians should have one. @ 1884 assembly committee announced while boys school not needed, secondary education options available girls not satisfactory, , recommended ladies college, similar presbyterian ladies college, melbourne, established possible.

plc s first principal, dr john marden

a ladies college committee formed , july 1887 had leased property in ashfield. principal, unanimously selected dr. john marden, science master methodist ladies college (mlc) in melbourne, because of high academic standing, experience , success in teaching , high christian character . marden strong believer in equal opportunity in education, , has been described feminist . rejected idea plc merely finishing school daughters of wealthy, , once quoted saying:

i ... out of sympathy cry education unnecessary girls, , require few accomplishments. women have live life - in cases harder 1 men have. notion of accomplishments being sufficient girls surely remnant of barbarous days when women looked on plaything of men.

the presbyterian ladies college opened marden , lady superintendent, ms m. mccormick, on 30 january 1888, 39 girls. modelled on great english public schools, , first school established presbyterian church of new south wales. committee, marden responsible organising curriculum , hiring appropriate staff.

during opening ceremony governor invited wife, countess of jersey, margaret child-villiers, speak. made sydney morning herald described capital impromptu speech . countess speech reported throughout australia , elsewhere around world, @ time quite unusual woman speak in public. plc s jersey day, annual event in ex-students return college on sunday closest 10 march, named in honour of countess.