In a historic moment for one of Queensland’s most prestigious educational institutions, Brisbane Girls Grammar School welcomed its first-ever primary school students through the gates of its Spring Hill campus on 28 January 2026, marking a transformative chapter in the school’s 151-year history.
Read: Brisbane Girls Grammar School to Open Junior School, Accept Years 5 and 6 Students in 2026
Years 5 and 6 students stepped into the purpose-built junior campus on Gregory Terrace, directly opposite the school’s iconic Main Building that has stood proudly in Spring Hill since 1884. The expansion represents the first time in the school’s history that it has educated students below secondary level.
“In 2026, BGGS will become Brisbane’s first secular, independent girls’ school to educate girls in Years 5 and 6,” Principal Jacinda Euler Welsh stated. “This modern iteration of the ‘experiment’ and ideals on which our School was founded represents a tangible commitment to the pursuit of gender equality, and a great optimism for our collective future.”
The new five-storey junior school building features specialist learning spaces for science, art and music, alongside a dedicated library, tuckshop and play areas. Designed with a ‘miniature’ concept that mirrors architectural elements from the school’s existing heritage buildings, the facility has been created as a “whole school within a singular building”—the ‘little sister’ of the senior campus.
Students will benefit from access to both their dedicated junior facilities and the broader main campus resources, including the library, theatre spaces, swimming pool and nearby green spaces. They will also utilise the school’s sporting campus at Rangakarra and outdoor education facility at Marrapatta.
The expansion comes as independent schools across Australia experience sustained enrolment growth. According to Independent Schools Australia, the sector has seen average annual increases of 2.6 per cent over the past decade, significantly outpacing Catholic systemic schools at 0.8 per cent and government schools at 0.9 per cent.
The move by Brisbane Girls Grammar reflects a broader strategic shift amongst elite private schools to secure students—and their families’ financial commitment—earlier in their educational journey. Research indicates that whilst public primary school enrolments have remained relatively stable, independent high school enrolments have surged, with one study finding a 70 per cent increase between 2012 and 2020.
Karen McArdle has been appointed as the school’s inaugural Head of Junior School, bringing extensive experience from her previous role as foundation Head of Junior School at Ipswich Girls Grammar School and her current position at St Catherine’s in Toorak, Melbourne. She commenced in January 2025 to oversee the establishment of the new campus.
The junior school operates under separate academic, co-curricular and pastoral care models specifically designed for primary-aged students, whilst maintaining the high academic standards the school is renowned for at secondary level.
About Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Founded in 1875 as a branch of Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane Girls Grammar became independent in 1882. The move to its current Gregory Terrace site in 1884 established the school’s presence in Spring Hill, where it has remained for 142 years.
The school was established at a time when the idea of a girls’ school was considered a radical ‘experiment’, reflecting the pioneering spirit of early advocates for female education in Queensland.
Brisbane Girls Grammar offers enrolment places based on date order of application submission. The school is among Brisbane’s most expensive educational institutions.
Read: Brisbane Girls Grammar Student Honoured with Premier’s Anzac Prize
For families in Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill and the surrounding CBD, the establishment of the junior campus provides another education option in the inner-city area, adding to the diverse educational landscape of the precinct.
The junior school development represents a significant investment in the historic Spring Hill site, continuing the school’s tradition of expanding and enhancing its facilities to meet the evolving needs of students whilst preserving its heritage and educational philosophy.
Published 29-January-2026
