Our Heritage

Wenona's history reflects changes in education within New South Wales. In 1886, young visionary Edith Hooke, aged 20, opened Wenona’s precursor, Woodstock. An alternative to ‘dame schools’, which simply prepared girls for marriage, Woodstock offered a full complement of subjects: languages, science and sport. Its students were imbued with the importance of service to others, in line with the School’s motto, Ut Prosim, that I may serve. 

Taking in day girls and boarders, Woodstock flourished, and outgrew a number of its premises, including one on West Street and two on McLaren Street. In 1913, Miss Hooke reopened Woodstock as Wenona, a primary school for day girls. In 1920, former Head Girl Miss Edith Ralston purchased the School, and a year later, relocated it to 176 Walker Street – the site it sits on today. Over the next 43 years as Headmistress, she oversaw expansion and set the foundation for what we know as Wenona.

For close to 140 years, Wenona has been led by visionary female leaders who recognised the value of women’s education. Their legacy, like that of Miss Barbara Jackson who helmed the School for almost three decades, continues to this day. Current Principal Ms Linda Douglas arrived in 2025 and continues the tradition of educating young students to become ‘Renaissance women’. 

You may like to view Wenona’s Digital Archive here.

Wenona may not be the same little school started by Miss Hooke, but what remains from Miss Hooke’s Woodstock is a strength in relationships, a culture of service and a vision to empower women to revel in the challenges ahead of them now and into the future.