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1 GPS Schools

GPS Schools

Eight Sydney boys' schools.

The GPS Schools (Great Public Schools) are a group of schools which share common interests, ethics, educational philosophy and contest sporting events between themselves.

The Schools are:

'''Sydney Grammar School
'''The King's School
'''St Joseph's College
'''Newington College
'''The Scots College
'''Sydney Boys High School
'''The Shore School
St Ignatius College


Year of Joining GPS


in process of editing this information
Sydney Grammar School -
The King's School -
St Joseph's College -
Newington -
The Scots College -
Sydney Boys High School -
The Shore School -
St Ignatius College -


Type of School


Sydney Grammar School - day boys only
The King's School - mixture of day boys & boarders
St Joseph's College - boarders only
Newington - day boys only
The Scots College - mixture of day boys & boarders
Sydney Boys High School - day boys only
The Shore School - day boys only
St Ignatius College - mixture of day boys & boarders


GPS Sports


Rowing
Rugby (Union)
Cross Country
Soccer
Basketball
Swimming
Athletics
Rifle Shooting


History


The Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales (A.A.G.P.S) formed at a meeting in a cafe on 30 March 1892. Present were The King’s School, St Ignatius’ College, St Joseph’s College, All Saints College, Bathurst and the North Shore Grammar School (SCEGS) now called The Shore School.

Sydney Grammar School. Newington College and Cooerwull Academy joined on 12 April.

Just two weeks later, others joined, including St Patrick’s College Goulburn, St Stanislaus College Bathurst and The Scots College, followed by The Armidale School on 7 May 1897 and Sydney High School in 14 February, 1906, although Sydney High had applied back in March 1894.

Today there are just nine members of the AAGPS. The eight GPS schools plus TAS (The Armidale School) - a country boarding school.

The sports contested in 1892 were Rugby, Athletics, with Cricket and Rowing the following year. Rifle shooting was formally admitted 1903 but was contested from 1893.


Rugby
Competition commenced in 1892

Athletics
Commenced in 1892.

Cricket
Competition began in 1893.

Rowing
Official competition commenced in 1893, although some schools had competed at club competition before then.

Rifle Shooting
School competition began in 1905. But results exist from 1893 when schools competed in club competition.

Tennis
A relatively recent entry, official GPS competition began in 1972.

Basketball
Began in 1975.

Swimming
Schools had originally "invited" teams from other schools to compete at their swimming carnival. From 1903 to 1921, races were held over whatever distance the host school saw fit. Fom 1923 the competition was limited to a GPS Relay held by the host school. With no trophy being awarded so far, competition remains unofficial (though strongly contested) since 1987.

Cross Country
Official competition commended in 1988

Soccer
Has been played since at least August 1880, but was limited to individual schools and whatever opponent could be found. Official GPS competition commenced in 1988 and is now one of the most numerous competitions in terms of players.




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