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- There are also the member schools of The Great Public Schools Association of Queensland Inc. also commonly called GPS Schools.
The GPS, Great Public Schools, or Athletic Association of the Greater Public Schools of New South Wales (AAGPS) is an association of mostly private boys' schools in New South Wales, Australia that share common interests, ethics, educational philosophy and contest sporting events among themselves. AAGPS was formed at a meeting in a cafe on 30 March 1892. As of 2004, AAGPS has nine members - eight Sydney schools and The Armidale School, a country boarding school:
- The King's School, Sydney: founded in 1831
- Sydney Grammar School: founded in 1854
- Newington College: founded in 1863
- St Ignatius' College, Riverview: founded in 1880
- St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill: founded in 1881
- Sydney Boys High School: founded in 1883
- Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore): founded in 1889
- The Scots College: founded in 1893
- The Armidale School: founded in 1894
Major sports are typically also played against various members of the Combined Associated Schools (CAS) and to a lesser extent members of the Independent Schools Association (ISA). While these games do not form part of the official GPS Championship, some (such as Joeys v Knox and Scots v Cranbrook Rugby) are developing into significant events.
Of NSW's 130 Rhodes Scholars 1904-2006, 85 have attended a GPS School. "NSW Rhodes Scholars" — University of Sydney list, (retrieved 29 June 2006)
GPS sports
The sports contested were:
- Rugby (Union), commenced in 1892.
- Athletics, commenced in 1892.
- Cricket, commenced in 1893.
- Rowing, commenced officially in 1893, although some schools had competed at club competition before then. GPS schools compete annually in March for the Head of the River.
- Rifle shooting, commenced at school level in 1905, but competition at club level began in 1893.
- Tennis, commenced officially in 1972.
- Basketball, commenced in 1975.
- Swimming, commenced officially in 1988, with age band subsequently introduced. Schools had originally "invited" other school teams to compete at their swimming carnival. From 1903 to 1921, races were held over whatever distance the host school saw fit. From 1923, the competition was limited to a GPS Relay held by the host school. With no trophy awarded, competition remains unofficial (though strongly contested) since 1987.
- Cross country, commenced officially in 1988.
- Football (soccer), commenced officially in 1988, but has been played since at least August 1880, was limited to individual schools, and whichever opponent could be found.
Sporting Premiers
Firsts Debating
Cricket 1st XI
Firsts Basketball "GPS Basketball Tables" (retrieved 29 June 2006)
Rugby First XV
Football (soccer) First XI
Cross Country
GPS Members
Foundation Members of the 30 March, 1892 meeting
- The King's School: Day Boys and Boarders
- St. Ignatius' College, Riverview: Day Boys and Boarders
- St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill: Boarders only
- All Saints College, Bathurst.
- Sydney Church of England Grammar School (also called "North Shore Grammar School" (SCEGS), more commonly called "The Shore School"): Day Boys and Boarders.
Members admitted after the 12 April, 1892 meeting
- Sydney Grammar School: Day boys only
- Newington College: Day Boys and Boarders
- Cooerwull Academy
Members admitted after the 28 April, 1892 meeting
- St Patrick’s College, Goulburn
- The Scots College: Day Boys and Boarders
Other members
- The Armidale School: Day Boys and Boarders (admitted 1897)
- Sydney Boys High School: Day Boys only (admitted 1906)
Well Known GPS Sportsmen(Rugby Union)
- Matt Burke (Joeys)
- Phil Waugh (Shore)
- Nick Farr-Jones (Newington)
- Phil Kearns (Newington)
- Stirling Mortlock (Kings)
- Bill Young (Joeys)
- Joe Roff (The Armidale School)
- Chris Whitaker (High)
References
External links
"GPS Schools"
