History of oldest progressive school in Melbourne | Preshil
Source: https://preshil.vic.edu.au/our-school/history-of-preshil
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:29
History of oldest progressive school in Melbourne | Preshil
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History of Preshil
”
A number of schools are now trying desperately to re-establish some sense of family and community by sending adolescents out for unfortunately brief visits to kindergartens and primary schools. Preshil is attempting to develop, without strain or conscious effort, a kind of family living that keeps the adolescent very naturally in close communion with children of all levels.
Margaret Lyttle
Not A Mainstream Education
Preshil shares many similarities to the Philosophies of influential educational thinkers including
Rudolf Steiner
,
Maria Montessori
,
John Dewey
,
Friedrich Froebel
and our founding Principal,
Greta Lyttle
, providing progressive educational models that form the basis of our approach to learning.
Preshil is not only Australia’s oldest progressive school, but was also influential in the development of progressive pedagogy at the local, national and international levels.
Seminal educationalists
such as
Alexander Neill
,
Dorothy Howard
,
Jean Stirrat
,
Oscar Oeser
,
June Factor
,
Dorothy Ross
,
Henry Schoenheimer
and E
lizabeth Hanby
were influenced by Preshil, and the school’s child-centred and
play-based
learning is today recognised in mainstream pedagogy.
Today
Preshil celebrates its 93rd birthday in 2024, and today remains true to its two founding principles – engaging with each child as an individual, and building personal responsibility, self-esteem, resilience, initiative, creativity and courage.
Under the leadership of our Principal, Aaron Mackinnon, and with the support of the School Board, teachers and the Preshil community, the School is undertaking a range of investments and improvements to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of educational practice in the 21st century.
Our motto of
courage
continues to be a hallmark of Preshil graduates as they make their way in the world.
Preshil is Founded
In 1930, Margaret J R Lyttle (pictured, known as Greta) began teaching five pupils in the living room of her home in Hawthorn (406 Barkers Road), in Melbourne’s inner east….
Read more
Relocation to Arlington
In 1937, growing numbers lead to the relocation of the primary school to its present site, Arlington campus, further along Barkers’ Road. Greta and Margaret continued to live at the…
Read more
Death of Margaret J R (Greta) Lyttle
When Greta died suddenly in 1944, Margaret assumed leadership of a school with a committed teaching staff and a growing number of children. Margaret remembers that her aunt’s death left…
Read more
Pioneering Pedagogy
By 1948 there were 184 children at the school. By now, Margaret said “The staff had worked together for many years and there was a contented openness about the place….
Read more
The Secondary School
In the early 1970s, Secondary School plans began to firm and became a reality in 1973. Year 7 was housed first in the primary school hall, then later using space in Holy Trinity church in Kew and sharing some classes with Trinity Grammar. “For a long time, many of us had dreamt of being able to bring the Preshil ethos to our concept of secondary schooling We talked over Sunday barbeques, argued and discussed among ourselves and gathered support from educationalists, including John Leppitt (later head of Trinity Grammar) and Henry Schoenheimer (Senior Lecturer in Education at Monash University)” recalled Margaret.
Read more
Expansion
In 1975 the grand old mansion Yallambee was purchased, followed by Blackhall (1978) and its neighbour Kalimna (1990).
Read more
Kindergarten – Year 12
By 1978 the school extended through to year 12, and Preshil as a kindergarten to a VCE (and now, International Baccalaureate) school was born.
Read more
Order of Australia
Margaret Lyttle was made a
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
in 1989 for her services to education.
Read more
Book a tour of Preshil
Book Now
Preshil Secondary School (Years 7-12)
12—26 Sackville Street
Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101
Telephone:
+61 3 9817 6135
Email:
preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Preshil Primary School (Kinder-Year 6)
395 Barkers Road
Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101
Telephone:
+61 3 9817 6135
Email:
preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Postal and Parking
Postal Address:
Preshil, The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School
395 Barkers Road Kew,
Victoria, Australia 3101
PRIVACY POLICY:
Click here to view our Privacy Policy
Parking for the Kindergarten and Primary School is available on Kildare Street off Barkers Road (opposite Arlington)
Parking for the Secondary School is available on the streets surrounding the campus.
© 2026 Preshil.
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About Us
Principal’s Welcome
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Margaret E Lyttle
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In the Media
Our ‘Courage’ Document
Educational Review 2024
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About
VCE
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International Baccalaureate
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Careers
Creative and Performing Arts
Art
Drama
Music
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Wellbeing Resources
Preshil SchoolTV
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Enrolment
Book A Tour
How To Enrol
How to Enrol
Enrolment Application
Transition
Fees and enrolment costs
Scholarships
Enquiry
Book a Tour
Skip to main content
Close Search
History of Preshil
”
A number of schools are now trying desperately to re-establish some sense of family and community by sending adolescents out for unfortunately brief visits to kindergartens and primary schools. Preshil is attempting to develop, without strain or conscious effort, a kind of family living that keeps the adolescent very naturally in close communion with children of all levels.
Margaret Lyttle
Not A Mainstream Education
Preshil shares many similarities to the Philosophies of influential educational thinkers including
Rudolf Steiner
,
Maria Montessori
,
John Dewey
,
Friedrich Froebel
and our founding Principal,
Greta Lyttle
, providing progressive educational models that form the basis of our approach to learning.
Preshil is not only Australia’s oldest progressive school, but was also influential in the development of progressive pedagogy at the local, national and international levels.
Seminal educationalists
such as
Alexander Neill
,
Dorothy Howard
,
Jean Stirrat
,
Oscar Oeser
,
June Factor
,
Dorothy Ross
,
Henry Schoenheimer
and E
lizabeth Hanby
were influenced by Preshil, and the school’s child-centred and
play-based
learning is today recognised in mainstream pedagogy.
Today
Preshil celebrates its 93rd birthday in 2024, and today remains true to its two founding principles – engaging with each child as an individual, and building personal responsibility, self-esteem, resilience, initiative, creativity and courage.
Under the leadership of our Principal, Aaron Mackinnon, and with the support of the School Board, teachers and the Preshil community, the School is undertaking a range of investments and improvements to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of educational practice in the 21st century.
Our motto of
courage
continues to be a hallmark of Preshil graduates as they make their way in the world.
Preshil is Founded
In 1930, Margaret J R Lyttle (pictured, known as Greta) began teaching five pupils in the living room of her home in Hawthorn (406 Barkers Road), in Melbourne’s inner east….
Read more
Relocation to Arlington
In 1937, growing numbers lead to the relocation of the primary school to its present site, Arlington campus, further along Barkers’ Road. Greta and Margaret continued to live at the…
Read more
Death of Margaret J R (Greta) Lyttle
When Greta died suddenly in 1944, Margaret assumed leadership of a school with a committed teaching staff and a growing number of children. Margaret remembers that her aunt’s death left…
Read more
Pioneering Pedagogy
By 1948 there were 184 children at the school. By now, Margaret said “The staff had worked together for many years and there was a contented openness about the place….
Read more
The Secondary School
In the early 1970s, Secondary School plans began to firm and became a reality in 1973. Year 7 was housed first in the primary school hall, then later using space in Holy Trinity church in Kew and sharing some classes with Trinity Grammar. “For a long time, many of us had dreamt of being able to bring the Preshil ethos to our concept of secondary schooling We talked over Sunday barbeques, argued and discussed among ourselves and gathered support from educationalists, including John Leppitt (later head of Trinity Grammar) and Henry Schoenheimer (Senior Lecturer in Education at Monash University)” recalled Margaret.
Read more
Expansion
In 1975 the grand old mansion Yallambee was purchased, followed by Blackhall (1978) and its neighbour Kalimna (1990).
Read more
Kindergarten – Year 12
By 1978 the school extended through to year 12, and Preshil as a kindergarten to a VCE (and now, International Baccalaureate) school was born.
Read more
Order of Australia
Margaret Lyttle was made a
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
in 1989 for her services to education.
Read more
Book a tour of Preshil
Book Now
Preshil Secondary School (Years 7-12)
12—26 Sackville Street
Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101
Telephone:
+61 3 9817 6135
Email:
preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Preshil Primary School (Kinder-Year 6)
395 Barkers Road
Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101
Telephone:
+61 3 9817 6135
Email:
preshil@preshil.vic.edu.au
Postal and Parking
Postal Address:
Preshil, The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School
395 Barkers Road Kew,
Victoria, Australia 3101
PRIVACY POLICY:
Click here to view our Privacy Policy
Parking for the Kindergarten and Primary School is available on Kildare Street off Barkers Road (opposite Arlington)
Parking for the Secondary School is available on the streets surrounding the campus.
© 2026 Preshil.
Close Menu
About Us
Principal’s Welcome
History of Preshil
The School
Margaret E Lyttle
Latest News
In the Media
Our ‘Courage’ Document
Educational Review 2024
Term Dates
Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures
Child Safety Policies
Employment
Our Community
Alumni & Friends of Preshil
Council and Association
Our Parents
Our Students
Our Students
Compass
Login
User Guide
Our Teachers
Our Traditions
Why Preshil?
Why Preshil?
Our Unique Environment
Our Unique Environment
Architecture, Heritage & Conservation Management
Location
Programs
Kindergarten
About
Primary
About
PlayWorlds
Secondary
About
VCE
VCE Vocational Major (VM)
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
International Baccalaureate
Year 9 Experience
Activities
Careers
Creative and Performing Arts
Art
Drama
Music
Wellbeing
Wellbeing Resources
Preshil SchoolTV
Library
Enrolment
Book A Tour
How To Enrol
How to Enrol
Enrolment Application
Transition
Fees and enrolment costs
Scholarships
Enquiry
Book a Tour