Our School
Our History
1876
In 1876, there was a proposal for establishing a girls’ high school by William Rolleston, the Superintendent of Canterbury. He allocated £3000 for this purpose, aiming to provide girls with a quality education at an affordable price. The plan was for Canterbury College to oversee the management of the school, and after an agreement was reached, a plot of land at the intersection of Rolleston and Hereford Streets was bought. The previous structure on this site had been a refuge for “fallen women,” but this history didn’t affect the perception of the future Girls’ School.
1876
Design and planning for the new high school began, with a strong emphasis on architectural harmony with surrounding buildings. T.W. Cane was tasked with designing the building, and the construction contract, priced at £3,690, was awarded to D. Reese.
1877
Christchurch Girls’ High School officially opened its doors in 1877, although the new building wasn’t completed until 1878. It initially featured four classrooms, the largest accommodating up to 100 students. However, due to its popularity, the school quickly outgrew its space. Just four years later, it relocated to new premises in Cranmer Square.
1882
The vacated building was taken over by the Canterbury College School of Art (CCSA) in 1882, remaining there until 1957. Various renovations and expansions were carried out over the years to meet the school’s needs. Additional rooms were added, including specific spaces for life studies and technical drawing. The building underwent further modifications in 1902 and 1915, accommodating a library, clay modeling classroom, and still life room.
1915
For students of the art school, their experience was not only shaped by the physical space but also by the unique atmosphere of each room. Despite repeated renovations, the building ultimately proved too small. The CCSA eagerly anticipated a new, modern building, but it wasn’t until 1957, when they moved to Ilam, that they received a remodeled Okeover House instead.
