Felix Barton oral history inteview by Judith Taylor

MLOH 12

item

1971

Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Oral Histories

411652

Digitised : See Curator of Oral History for access to digital sound files

2 audiotape reels (1hr 45 min)

Felix Barton (1888-1979) was interviewed by Judith Taylor at his home, North Sydney, in 1971. Felix Kingston Barton was born on 13 January 1888 in Adelaide, South Australia. He was educated at St Peter's College in Adelaide and graduated from the University of Adelaide with an honours degree in classics. He taught at Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) before enlisting to fight in World War I. After the war he spent some time in Europe and England before returning to his position at Shore.

In 1921 Felix Barton purchased Turramurra College from its owner and headmaster, Mr Stupart. He was joined in the venture by a friend, Mr W. Saunderson. Turramurra College closed in 1928 and the building no longer stands.

Interview with Felix Barton, headmaster of Turramurra College in which he discusses his philosophy of education.
His philosophy was influenced by his visits to Bedales, Sidcote and Perse schools in England and also by his interest in psychoanalysis. His emphasis on 'self government' and the importance of a creative imaginative approach to learning dominated the curriculum at Turramurra College. The Dalton Plan was introduced in 1922 and the school was one of a number of experimental schools which flourished at this time. Art was taught by Grace Cossington Smith and music by Mr. Robinson the organist at St. Thomas' Church, North Sydney. Ethel Anderson supervised the painting of a mural in the main classroom and Tommy Handley provided boxing instruction.

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