Tara Anglican School for Girls

Tara Anglican School for Girls has a rich history that dates back to 1897 when it began as St. Ronan's School, a co-educational, primary day school founded by Mary Elizabeth Joan Waugh on George Street in Parramatta. In 1898, the school, under Waugh's guidance, relocated to The Cedars in Western Road, Parramatta, merging with a school run by Mrs. Bond. This partnership, however, was short-lived as Waugh sought to align the school with her Anglican beliefs, leading to a move to St. John's Parish Hall in Parramatta in 1902. Following the death of Waugh's father in 1912, the school moved to the Waugh family home, known as Tara, in George Street, Parramatta, named after Ireland's Hill of Tara reflecting the family's Irish heritage. This home was sold after the death of Waugh's mother in 1926, and Tara found a new location in Hassall Street, Parramatta, where it remained for twenty years until Joan Waugh's death in 1946. After Waugh's death, the Church of England in Australia took over the guardianship of the school, with All Saints' Church Hall becoming Tara's new location. In 1952, Tara relocated to Ellangowan on George Street in Parramatta, initially accommodating 142 junior school students, and expanded to include senior school pupils in 1953. The school experienced significant growth, prompting a move to its current location at Masons Drive in 1958 with Helen Claridge as the new Headmistress. The site, previously home to The Smith Family Hospital for Children with Rheumatic Fever, has since seen continual development, including the construction of science and technology facilities, a gymnasium, music block, boarding facilities, and a cafeteria. Over the years, Tara has undergone extensive expansions with new facilities like the Senior Learning Centre, a new Junior School Library and Technology Centre, and in 2023, an aquatic center and sports precinct. The school also operates a telescope donated by Katherine Blundell, a University of Oxford professor, and hosts the Space Odyssey Team, inviting students from across Sydney to explore astronomy.