School History
Over 130 years ago Mrs Emma B Cook (our founding principal) wanted 'an excellent school' for her sons and daughters. Not satisfied with any of the established schools in Hawthorn, she started her own school - Tintern. It was not long before neighbours pressed Mrs Cook to allow their children to attend. Even while the school was in its infancy, its reputation for excellence grew so rapidly and widely that before long many country families also sent their children to attend the school.
In 1918, the Church of England Trust purchased the school property and what was initially a School for the whole family became a school for girls. Continued growth led to the need for more spacious and modern facilities to suit a widening range of educational activities. In 1953 the school moved to its current site (just over fifty acres) at Ringwood East.
Under the principalship of Mrs Sylvia Walton (1982-2005), the School returned to Mrs Cook's founding principle of educating the whole family with the establishment of Southwood Boys Grammar (located at Ringwood) in 1999.
Today, Tintern Schools is one of Australia's oldest and foremost independent schools in Australia. We continue to provide educational and cultural experiences that facilitate opportunities to develop an enquiring mind, to find purpose and enjoyment in learning, to value and appreciate excellence in all things, and to develop personal and professional skills for life.
Students are encouraged to achieve: academic, creative, spiritual and physical development, personal excellence of endeavour, an ability to relate to others in a positive and mutually rewarding manner and self discipline and acceptance of responsibility in an environment which engages students, staff and parents in a mutual cooperation, and in which care, compassion, challenge, fulfilment, and commitment are guiding values.
The School is committed to achieving these objectives through a rigorous process of continuous improvement - ensuring that Tintern Schools' future is as bright as it past.
School History
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