Geelong Grammar School (GGS), colloquially known as “Grammar” or sometimes as “Australia’s Eton,” is a private Anglican, co-educational boarding and day school — one of Australia’s most prestigious and historically significant independent schools.
The school’s main campus is located in Corio, on the northern outskirts of Geelong, Victoria, overlooking Corio Bay and Limeburners Bay, with additional campuses in Toorak (Melbourne) and Timbertop (near Mansfield in alpine Victoria).
Founded on 1 October 1855 under the auspices of the Church of England, GGS was established as a private venture to provide quality secondary education. It survived a period of financial closure (1860-1863), was rebuilt under the great headmaster John Bracebridge Wilson, and grew through the late 19th century into a nationally recognised school.
The school moved from its central Geelong site to the current expansive Corio campus in February 1914, where it occupies approximately 230 hectares of grounds overlooking the bay.
Today, GGS caters to approximately 1,500 students from ELC to Year 12, with approximately 800 boarders from Years 5 to 12 — one of the largest boarding populations of any school in Australia.
Principal and Leadership
Geelong Grammar School is led by Principal Rebecca Cody, who became the 12th Principal of GGS in 2018 — the first Australian-born and first female Principal in the school’s 170-year history. The school is governed by a School Council and maintains active communication with its community through “Recent Statements” published by the Principal and Chair of the School Council on significant matters.
Four Campuses: A Multi-Campus Education
GGS’s distinctive multi-campus structure offers students different environments and experiences across their schooling:
Corio Campus (Main Campus, Geelong) The centrepiece of GGS, spanning 230 hectares on a peninsula overlooking Corio Bay. Houses the Junior School (ELC to Year 6, with Year 7 from 2027 and Year 8 from 2028), Middle School (Years 7-9 currently, transitioning), and Senior School (Years 10-12). Boarding students from Years 5-12 live in dedicated Houses. The campus includes the Handbury Centre for Wellbeing — a state-of-the-art sports and health facility available for community hire.
Timbertop Campus (Near Mansfield, Alpine Victoria) One of the most distinctive aspects of any Australian school, Timbertop is a full-time residential campus for Year 9 students only. All GGS students spend Year 9 at Timbertop, immersed in the alpine environment. The programme was founded in 1953 by the visionary headmaster Sir James Darling, inspired by the Outward Bound movement and Kurt Hahn’s Gordonstoun School in Scotland. King Charles III famously spent two terms at Timbertop in 1966 during his time at GGS.
Toorak Campus (Melbourne) A vibrant, inspiring day campus in the heart of Toorak, Melbourne. Serving ELC to Year 6 (with Year 7 from 2027 and Year 8 from 2028), Toorak Campus allows families in inner Melbourne to access a GGS education from the earliest years.
Bostock House (Closed Term 1, 2026) Bostock House in Newtown, Geelong — GGS’s primary campus since 1998 — closed at the conclusion of Term 1, 2026. Students and staff relocated to the newly built Junior School at Corio Campus, marking a significant new chapter in the school’s long history.
Famous Alumni
Geelong Grammar School’s alumni list is remarkable, including:
- King Charles III spent two terms at Timbertop in 1966
- Rupert Murdoch — media mogul
- Kerry Packer — media tycoon
- Elisabeth Murdoch — philanthropist and distinguished Australian, after whom Elisabeth Murdoch House at Corio is named
- Professor Tony Holmes AO — pioneering craniofacial surgeon, awarded the GGS Medal for Service to Society in May 2026
School Values and Positive Education
GGS’s school values of courage, compassion, and curiosity guide all aspects of school life. The school is also internationally recognised for its Institute of Positive Education (IOE), which develops and shares positive psychology-based education programmes with schools around the world — a genuine contribution to global education well beyond GGS itself.
Acknowledgement of Country
GGS acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands used by all four campuses — the Wadawurrung, Wurundjeri, and Taungurung people — and pays respect to their Elders, past, present, and emerging.
Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main Campus Address | Corio, Victoria (Geelong northern outskirts) |
| Toorak Campus Address | Toorak, Melbourne |
| Phone | +61 3 5273 9200 |
| Website | ggs.vic.edu.au |
| Principal | Rebecca Cody |
| School type | Independent, Anglican, co-educational, boarding, and day |
| Year levels | ELC – Year 12 |
| Enrolment | Approx. 1,500 students (800 boarders) |
| Founded | 1 October 1855 |
Geelong Grammar School Term Dates 2026
GGS sets its own term calendar across all four campuses. Dates below are sourced directly from the official GGS website (ggs.vic.edu.au/enrolment/ggs-term-dates/2026-2/).
Junior School — Corio Campus (ELC to Year 6)
| Term | Classes Commence | Term End | Mid-term Exeat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wednesday, 28 January 2026 | Thursday, 2 April 2026 (3:30 pm) | Fri 6 Mar (3:30 pm) – Mon 9 Mar |
| Term 2 | Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | Friday, 26 June 2026 (3:30 pm) | Fri 22 May (3:30 pm) – Mon 25 May |
| Term 3 | Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | Friday, 18 September 2026 (3:30 pm) | Fri 21 Aug (3:30 pm) – Mon 24 Aug |
| Term 4 | Tuesday, 6 October 2026 | Thursday, 3 December 2026 (3:30 pm) | Fri 30 Oct (3:30 pm) – Tue 3 Nov |
Middle School and Senior School — Corio Campus (Years 7–12)
| Term | Classes Commence | Term End | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Friday, 30 January 2026 | Thursday, 2 April 2026 (8:00 am) | Boarders arrive from Thu 29 Jan; Mid-term Exeat Fri 6 Mar (2 pm) – Mon 9 Mar. |
| Term 2 | Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | Friday, 26 June 2026 (8:00 am) | Mid-term Exeat/Parent Conversations Sat 23 May – Tue 26 May |
| Term 3 | Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | Friday, 18 September 2026 (8:00 am) | Mid-term Exeat/Parent Conversations Fri 21 Aug (2 pm) – Tue 25 Aug |
| Term 4 | Tuesday, 6 October 2026 | Thursday, 3 December 2026 (8:00 am) | Mid-term Exeat Sat 31 Oct – Tue 3 Nov |
For MS and SS boarders, End of Term is 8:00 am, with the remainder of the day designated as a travel day.
Timbertop Campus (Year 9)
| Term | Programme Commences | Term End | Exeat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Saturday, 31 January 2026 | Thursday, 2 April 2026 (8:00 am) | Fri 6 Mar (8 am) – Mon 9 Mar |
| Term 2 | Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | Friday, 26 June 2026 (8:00 am) | Sat 23 May (8 am) – Tue 26 May |
| Term 3 | Monday, 20 July 2026 | Sunday, 13 September 2026 (from Corio Campus, 4:30 pm, at conclusion of Athletics Day) | Sat 22 Aug (10 am) – Tue 25 Aug |
| Term 4 | Tuesday, 6 October 2026 | Friday, 4 December 2026 (10:30 am) | Sat 31 Oct (8 am) – Tue 3 Nov |
Toorak Campus (ELC to Year 6, Melbourne)
| Term | Classes Commence | Term End | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wednesday, 28 January 2026 | Thursday, 2 April 2026 (3:15 pm) | Labour Day Mon 9 Mar |
| Term 2 | Tuesday, 21 April 2026 | Friday, 26 June 2026 (3:15 pm) | King’s Birthday Mon 8 Jun |
| Term 3 | Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | Friday, 18 September 2026 (3:15 pm) | Mid-term break Mon 24 Aug |
| Term 4 | Tuesday, 6 October 2026 | Thursday, 3 December 2026 (3:15 pm) | Melbourne Cup Tue 3 Nov |
Last verified: 08 July 2026. Official source: Geelong Grammar School — 2026 Term Dates (updated 19 June 2026)
Annual Traditions
- Founders’ Day: Commemorated on or close to 24 June (the date in 1857 when the foundation stone was laid for the original central Geelong school building — that same stone is now built into the Corio clock tower)
- Timbertop Athletics Day: End of Term 3 for Timbertop students, held at Corio Campus
- Valedictory Dinner: End-of-year celebration for Year 12 students and families
- House Dinners: Annual dinner for each boarding house, open to families
Enrolment and Fees
GGS has a non-selective enrolment policy — academic performance is not a barrier to entry. However, demand is high, and early enquiry is recommended for all campuses. Annual fees (approximate) as of recent data: day students around $50,000, boarding students around $85,000, making GGS one of Australia’s most expensive independent schools. Scholarships are available in academics, music, arts, and other areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current Principal of Geelong Grammar School?
Rebecca Cody, who became the 12th Principal in 2018 — the first Australian-born and first female Principal in the school’s history.
Did King Charles III attend Geelong Grammar School?
Yes. King Charles III (then Prince Charles) spent two terms at Geelong Grammar School’s Timbertop campus in 1966.
What is Timbertop?
Timbertop is GGS’s unique Year 9 residential campus near Mansfield in alpine Victoria, where all GGS students spend Year 9 immersed in outdoor and adventure education.
Has the campus structure changed recently?
Yes. Bostock House (GGS’s Newtown primary campus) closed at the end of Term 1, 2026, with students and staff moving to a newly built Junior School at Corio Campus.
Who do I contact for admissions or enrolment?
Contact GGS Admissions at +61 3 5273 9200 or visit ggs.vic.edu.au.
Related Victoria School Calendars
- Camberwell Grammar School Calendar
- Ivanhoe Grammar School Calendar
- Firbank Grammar School Calendar
- Albert Park Primary School Calendar
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