Australian International Independent School records

MLMSS 11810

fonds

1961-1999

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Drawings, Clippings, Ephemera

9669146

0.48 metres of textual material (3 boxes), includes photographs

The Australian International Independent School was founded in North Ryde, Sydney, in 1970 by William John (Bill) Eason (1906-1994), former principal of St. Mary’s High School and Ku-ring-gai High School. Influenced by the works of Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer and Rabindranath Tagore, the Australian International Independent School was based on the principles of freedom, self-discipline and tolerance, with ‘Awareness, Responsibility, Involvement’ being the school’s motto.

It was Eason’s aim to further international understanding through education, and to bring students from many nationalities, in particular Australian and Asian, together to encourage greater understanding, knowledge and awareness of each other and the world.

The school covered about 3 acres of land and was centred around teaching outdoors, in order to escape the suffocating effect of classrooms and to promote bush learning experiences (this also included pastoral activities). The educational focus was placed on co-operation and co-education between teachers and students.

References:
- Compiled from the collection
- Eramboo. “The Founder”. Accessed 13 January 2023.
https://eramboo.com.au/about/

The collection was given to the donor, a former teacher at the school, by another former teacher.

Comprises the records of the Australian International Independent School, 1969-1999. Includes student and staff records, photographs, ephemera, newspaper and magazine clippings.

BOX 1
- Minutes School Council, December 1969 - March 1975
- Minutes School Council, February 1981-March 1986
- 1970 diary, including notes, newspaper clippings and newsletters.

BOX 2
- Memorandum and Articles of Association, 1969
- Application for approval of school program, 1983
- Post Conference Handbook for the 1989 Australian International Independent School Residential Conference
- Prospectus Diploma of World Studies at Eramboo World Studies Centre, 1983
- Early drafts of first newsletters
- Drafts Australian International Independent School informational material
- Australian International Independent School informational material and newsletters to parents and students, 1970-1972
- Subject choice forms, 1972, 1974, 1980
- Pen drawing of Rabindranath Tagore by Paul Delprat (artist and art teacher at Australian International Independent School) including copies of Tagore’s poem “Where the mind is without fear” with greetings from Bill Eason, 1980.
- Bill Eason received personal correspondence (mostly from former students), 1981-1983.
- Magazine articles relating to Australian International Independent School and Bill Eason’s involvement as principal at St. Mary’s High School and Ku-ring-gai High School, 1967-1970. Also includes Australian International Independent School brochures.
- Newspaper clippings relating to Australian International Independent School and Bill Eason’s involvement as principal at St. Mary’s High School and Ku-ring-gai High School, 1961-1988.
- Program ceremony of commemoration for Bill Eason at the Australian International Independent School, 1994.
- School photographs, removed from album. Group photographs of staff and class for years 7-12 with name captions (1983, 1984). Also includes a photograph of year 10 ‘formal’ (1994/1995?) and of all students and staff (1997).


BOX 3 (RESTRICTED – Sensitive information)
- Register of Admission 1970-1987; 1988-1998
- Staff employment records: teacher information sheets, letters of application and resignation, 1970-1985.
- Student enrolment, ex-student and staff lists, 1991-1999. Includes nationality statistics for 1982 enrolment.

Partly restricted - This collection contains confidential, personal and/or culturally sensitive information: Applies to MLMSS 11810/Box 3. The Library requires you to sign an ‘Undertaking with regard to access’ for this collection to protect the privacy of individuals. This form will be supplied to you prior to access. Guidelines for accessing sensitive collections

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder