Southern Cross Grammar School is celebrating after successfully buying back its school and achieving 11th place nationally in a global maths competition.
On October 9, the school confirmed it had paid back its white knight, the Zig Inge Group, returning about $8 million to the saviour who bailed out the school when then-parent company Independent Colleges Australia went into voluntary administration in 2010.
While it took four long years to reclaim its sovereignty, principal Andrew Ponsford – grandson of Australian Test cricketer Bill – said the incredible bounce-back came down to two things: generosity of the Zig Inge Group and strong enrolments following the bailout.
Enrolments have risen rapidly in recent years, and there are waiting lists for places in prep to year 8. He said it’s the enrolments that have helped bankroll the building of a new junior school and sports field.
With 386 current students and 465 confirmed for next year, Mr Ponsford said the school was hoping to break the 700-enrolment mark by the time its new $4 million senior campus opens in 2018.
“We now have our students holding their own against the best from the best schools,” he said.
The school is racking up the runs at year 7 level, with 13-year-old Liam Giacchi having been crowned the 2015 Perfect Maths champion, placing in the top two per cent of 20,000 global competitors in the Perfect Maths competition.
The school had 40 students take part and finished second in the state and 11th in Australia among schools of similar size.
Year 7 student, Stephanie Merry, produced a chapter of author Allyse Near’s new book, Fairytales for Wilde Girls, published in August.
