The amalgamation of Broadland House C.E.G.G.S. and the
Launceston Church Grammar School was announced, as a fait
accompli, in April 1982. The merger was to be in two stages;
the separate operation of both schools under the one
Headmaster from June 1982 and the completely merged schools
from the beginning of 1983.
Both Broadland House and the Launceston Grammar claim to
be the oldest continuing schools in Australia, having been
founded in 1845 and 1846 respectively. The fact that many
families had been involved with either or both schools for
four or five generations led to period of bitter conflict and
resistance to change, which was largely overcome by the end
of the first year of operation.
Diminishing enrolments at both schools had been brought
about largely through the rural recession in Tasmania during
the 1960's, together with the provision of better school
facilities and roads in the rural areas of Tasmania. The
Launceston Church Grammar had become co-educational in 1972,
largely as a means of survival. Previous approaches to
Broadland House, by the Grammar School, to consider
amalgamation had been rejected.
This study endeavours to determine the strategies which
led to the almost total acceptance of the amalgamation
between the Broadland House Church of England Girls Grammar
School and the Launceston Church Grammar School, and to
explain those strategies through reference to the literature
on the management of change. This involved rationalising
resources, setting up new academic courses, providing
physical facilities, considering the traditions of both
schools, the gaining of financial, support and of developing
acceptance of the change within the school community and
within the community at large.
The study follows the period covering the eight months
of preparation prior to the amalgamation together with its
first 5 years of operation, during which time the School has
grown considerably and enjoys wide confidence and support.
As amalgamations are occurring more regularly across the
nation, it is hoped that the lessons learned through this
educational innovation will be of benefit to others.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218822 |
| Date | January 1987 |
| Creators | Campbell, John Robert, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright John Robert Campbell |
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