OUR SCHOOL ANTHEM AND SONGS – A SHORT HISTORY

“Each golden thought by wisdom wrought” means the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement; the quality of being wise and so causing something to happen, especially a change for the better.

“No careless hand may join the band” refers to the importance of teamwork, relying on one another.

Although written nearly 100 years ago, the School Song continues to inspire us today. It continues to be sung at School Assemblies each year.

Serva Fidem is sung by the Old Grammarians at the annual 50+ Reunion event, as is The Crimson, the Blue, and the Gold, the Girls’ School Song.

In 1902 Bishop Green announced that Queen’s College was to have a new title -The Church of England Grammar School for Girls. Pale blue, a prominent colour in the Crest of the Ballarat Diocese, was added to the original school colours of crimson and gold. The original Crest conceived by Matilda Dixie in 1876, the winged angel, the book and the Southern Cross was quartered with, i.e. added to, the Crest of the Ballarat Diocese, mounted on a shield, and placed under the mitre. Our School Crest was born, as well as the inspiration for the Queen’s school song.

These words for The Crimson, the Blue and the Gold, were written in 1912 by a student, Mavis Naples, who was in her final year and one of the editors of the MAG, and set to music by Miss Blanche Lavis, a music teacher at the School.

Miss Susan Hodson was the Headmistress in 1932 when it was sung at Speech Night for the first time; she “set the scene for the strengthening and revitalising of school spirit which culminated in the return of the word Queen’s to the School’s title at the end of 1934.” (p.111, Mainly About Girls) The official title for the School, approved by Synod, became Queen’s Church of England Girls’ Grammar School.

Scan here for a 50+ Luncheon rendition of The Crimson, the Blue and the Gold in 2022