MLC School

Story

MLC School is an independent day school for girls, located in Burwood, Sydney. The School enrols students from pre-kindergarten age through to Year 12.HistoryMLC School was founded in 1886 to prepare students for entrance to the University of Sydney, which had only admitted women to degrees four years before. With the view that much more could be expected of girls’ skills and talents during their school education, MLC School was one of the first schools in Australia to offer girls the same level of education as boys.In 1889, a kindergarten was introduced, placing MLC School in the forefront of educational practice. Founding Principal Rev. Charles Prescott believed in the education of very young children and persuaded the College Council to establish a co-educational kindergarten. It is believed that MLC School was one of the very first to establish a purpose-built kindergarten building. In 1890 Miss Scheer became the MLC School kindergarten teacher. Scheer had received her training in Germany in the methods developed by Friedrich Fröbel.MLC School has a long and distinguished tradition in science education. The School’s first science laboratory was built in 1924 and chemistry and physics were promptly added to the curriculum. MLC School became the first school in the State to present girls for the Leaving Certificate in Physics.MLC School was also a boarding school until 1977, when a fire destroyed the sleeping dormitories, dining room, offices and some classrooms. When assessed, it was decided that a significant portion of the affected buildings would have to be demolished. Due to falling demand for boarding accommodation, the School Council decided not to rebuild the boarding quarters and to phase out the Boarding School, which closed at the end of 1979.