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Australia, Canberra
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The history of Canberra Grammar School is intertwined with the history of Canberra itself. Prime Minister Stanley Bruce laid the foundation stone for the Red Hill campus in 1928, and CGS grew from Cooma's Manaro Grammar School before transferring to Canberra; operation commenced on 5 February 1929 with around 60 students under Headmaster William Edwards. In the 1930s, classrooms and the eastern side of the main quadrangle were developed as the school expanded. From 1948 to 1958 David Garnsey was headmaster, and the junior school expanded with scholarships awarded. Major developments followed, including the War Memorial Gym (now Hall), a science wing, the Chapel of Christ the King, the boarding house, Northside, and the Design, Art & Technology Centre; Canberra Grammar School became an International Baccalaureate World School in 2011 and educates more than 2,000 students across two campuses. In 2013 alumnus Terry Snow enabled one of the largest donations to Australian schooling, supporting the Snow Centre for Education in the Asian Century; the school began the move to full co-education in 2016 and completed it in 2018. The school celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2019 and announced new facilities including an Auditorium, Centre for Music and Centre for Learning and Library.
The school fosters a vibrant and engaged community with a broad calendar of events and service-learning projects. The 2024 Senior School report highlighted events such as the Cross-Country Carnival and House Music, as well as extensive outdoor experiences and service learning. Students also participate in activities beyond the classroom, including the Kids Lit Quiz world final, the Duke of Edinburgh programme, overseas exchanges, and the Montgomery Bell International Symposium. The Indigenous Scholars Programme supports Indigenous students with daily mentoring, NAIDOC Dinner events, and connections with communities along the South Coast and at Jervis Bay Primary; the Dream Cricket Programme and Year 10 Service-Learning further strengthen community ties, while the Snow Concert Hall hosts major cultural events such as the Canberra International Music Festival.
The Parents and Friends (P&F) Association is a key way to engage with the Canberra Grammar School community and participate in the life of the School. If you are a current or past parent or guardian, you are automatically a member of the P&F and you can contribute without serving on a committee; you may inquire by emailing p&f@cgs.act.edu.au. For more information about the P&F, refer to the P&F Handbook.
Canberra Grammar School is an independent Anglican day and boarding school in Canberra, Australia, educating about 2,000 students on two campuses. The Red Hill campus houses girls' boarding and refurbished boys' housing, with Wi-Fi, study spaces and modern bathrooms. The school offers an IB World School program—PYP, MYP (candidate in Years 7–9) and DP—integrated with the Australian Curriculum. Year 11–12 provides a choice between the IB Diploma Programme and the NSW Higher School Certificate, making CGS the only Canberra school to offer both options. Facilities include the Snow Concert Hall and Music Centre (1,400 seats), Tim Murray Theatre, on-site libraries, a Health Clinic, and an indoor heated pool, plus eight tennis courts and six ovals. Signature features include the co-curricular Education Programme linked to IB CAS, extensive performing arts, languages with international tours and exchanges, and a broad outdoor education and service program.
