To Grow in Wisdom
Just this week I was having a coffee and chat with Bruce, a key member of Annesley’s team who works hard to support our students in the Farm and maintain our grounds and site maintenance. Bruce and I were sharing stories of how Methodist Ladies College (MLC), became Annesley College, then Annesley Junior School. The School has developed significantly over the decades. Bruce and I reflected on the School’s rich heritage and continued progress.
Over the School’s near 120 years, Annesley has changed in many ways but has remained absolutely true to its core foundation, as documented in the publication; ‘To Grow in Wisdom’. This book is the story of the first 75 years of MLC. Annesley was named after Susanna Annesley, who was the mother of Methodist Church founder John Wesley. The following extracts from ‘To Grow in Wisdom’ highlight Wesley’s commitment to progressive education:
‘John Wesley…highly valued broad education. The three fundamental principles of education propounded by Wesley sound as impressive nowadays as when quoted by Mr Wibberley in 1926; they must have startled and inspired Wesley’s congregations two centuries ago.
1: Pass from the known to the unknown. Carefully observe the ideas which children already have and graft what you have to say upon them
2: Interest the scholars in things rather than words. Bid the child look upon the sun and trees
3: Education should be for all, gentle and simple alike
Fighting words, those in eighteenth century England. Inspired by Wesley, the Methodists struggled to emancipate education, with partial success in 1779 when Parliament relaxed the Statute enforcing teachers to subscribe to the Thirty Nine Articles (NB: defining statements of doctrine and practice of the Church of England). Methodists retained a fervent zeal for liberal education despite many obstacles in its path. The South Australian colonists brought their enthusiasm to the country of their adoption, hoping to break away from the classical traditions of the English Grammar School. They wanted to establish schools to interest the scholar in things rather than words.’
Our School was created to break the mould of traditional ‘Grammar School’ education!
As we plan for the future and where we are going, we are wise to reflect upon the past and where we have come from. ‘To Grow in Wisdom’ is my ‘Book of the Month.’ It has been a constant reference point for us as we continue to refine Annesley’s plans for the coming 5 years. The Annesley Council have been reflecting upon the words of Wesley and the School’s founders. Our rich heritage as a School is central to our future as we plan with confidence and gratitude.
Luke Ritchie
Principal
