y a D ’ s r e d n u Fo
Connecting with our past By Ian Robertson, Alumni Manager and Sandra Turner, Archivist
Principal of Korowa, Mrs Helen Carmody observed that despite the Annual Church Service held at St Paul’s Cathedral over many years, there was no formal annual recognition or celebration of Korowa’s founders so Founders’ Day was born in 2018. It is held in recognition of the extraordinary achievements of our founding Principal, Mrs Henrietta Akehurst (1899 to 1905) and her daughter, Miss Ethel Akehurst, who succeeded her mother as Principal from 1905 and carried on the Akehurst legacy until 1926.
Miss Ethel Akehurst, second Principal of Korowa.
Henrietta opened her school for girls in Pine Grove, Malvern. It was initially called Corowa and then changed to Korowa. She subsequently moved the school to Wattletree Road where it remained until 1913. She was committed to the higher education of girls, for them to be well educated and financially independent. Henrietta was resourceful, intelligent and resilient. Her daughter Ethel carried on her mother’s tradition. She gave the School its academic rigour and, with unobtrusive drive and energy, arranged to purchase the house, Ranfurlie. She then moved Korowa to its current site in 1914. She encouraged her girls to look to the future and aspire to high levels of achievement. She introduced the School Motto, Palma Non Sine Pulvere and the House System. She oversaw the building of the first Senior School which was opened in 1926 (now Ranfurlie House). At the inaugural celebration of Founders’ Day in 2018, Mr Jeff Akehurst, great-grandson of Henrietta along with his family, attended the celebration that honoured his ancestor’s contribution. Jeff presented the School with his aunt, Mary Cook’s (Akehurst, Class of 1928) blazer (the oldest original item of formal uniform in our collection). Jeff’s two daughters, Annaliese Allen (Akehurst, Class of 1996) and Alexandra Flex (Akehurst, Class of 2000) also attended the School. Currently, two of Mrs Akehurst’s great-great-great grandchildren, Clementine and Murphy are attending Korowa.
Mrs Henrietta Akehurst, founding Principal of Korowa. 8
The Akehurst family’s connection with Korowa is unique and continuous. It is appropriate that we commemorate our founders who laid such a sure foundation.
