The Friends’ School

The Friends' School was established at 60–62 Warwick Street, Hobart on 31 January 1887, overseen by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Samuel Clemes inaugurated the school. Due to a rapid increase in enrollment, the school relocated to its current location on Commercial Road on 28 January 1889, thanks to a generous loan of A$4,000 from Hobart Baptists. Samuel Clemes, an advocate for co-education, served as the first headmaster. In 1900, he resigned and founded his own family school, Leslie House (later renamed Clemes College), initially on Pirie Street and later on Argyle Street. Clemes College and The Friends' School merged in 1946. A new chapter in the school's history began in 1923 when control shifted from London Quakers to a local committee in Hobart. Ernest Unwin took over leadership, leading the school to significant progress. During this time, the school's appearance evolved with the addition of the front portico, Hodgkin Hall, the original science and art block, and the boys' boarding wing. Building expansions resumed in 1955 with the opening of the Preparatory School, followed by the Sports Ground in 1958. Construction on the Commercial Road site continued in 1962 with the Unwin Memorial Science and Art block, and further developments in the 70s and 80s included the Library, Asten Theatre, science facilities, and the W.N. Oats Sports Centre. The Clemes Memorial Library in the Junior School was established in 1986 from the old Clemes Assembly Hall. The Farrall Centre was added to the Junior School in late 2011.