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(A-Z) Thorby, Harold Victor Campbell (1888 - 1973) (A-Z) Thornber, Catherine Maria (1837 - 1924)

Thornber, Catherine Maria (1812? - 1894)

THORNBER, CATHERINE MARIA (1812?-1894) and her daughters CATHERINE MARIA (1837-1924), RACHEL ANN (1839-
Alternative Names: 1930) and ELLEN (1851-1947) were schoolmistresses. Mrs Thornber, daughter of Charles Rowland, was born at Rodd,
Rowland, Catherine Herefordshire, England. She married Robert Thornber, hosier, and in 1839 they migrated with their six children to Adelaide
Maria where Robert prospered; in 1848 he donated land for the Anglican Church of St Michael, Mitcham. After his suicide on 29
December 1854, the stately Mrs Thornber opened a school at Mitcham in 1855. Relocated at Unley Park, it became one of
Birth: the city's best-known academies for young ladies. Its pupils were the daughters of the middle class, especially of
1812?, Rodd, professional men and Anglican clergy who provided patronage to support the Thornbers' goal of a broad, liberal, secondary
Herefordshire, England
education.
Death:
14 May 1894, Adelaide, Although Unley Park School's reputation was quickly established, its zenith occurred under Miss Catherine, born on 17
South Australia, Australia November 1837 at Harpurhey, near Manchester, Lancashire. A music governess in private homes, she became the school's
headmistress after her mother's death in Adelaide on 14 May 1894. Ellen, born on 7 September 1851 at Mitcham, was then
Cultural Heritage: in England, attending conferences, visiting leading girls' schools and assessing educational trends. Catherine made a similar
English trip six years later. In its methods and curricula the Thornbers' school was among South Australia's most progressive: it
offered chemistry, physiology, geology and botany, taught by university-educated women. By 1898 it had an enrolment of
Occupation: 125 pupils. Preparation for the university was emphasized, but the school's successes there did not prevent the sisters from
school owner deploring the university's restrictive entrance requirements.
school principal
With buildings and equipment worth £4000, Unley Park School had an imposing appearance. Its teaching reflected the
owners' interest in method: geological excursions, lantern-slides acquired by Miss Ellen in England and a skeleton (kept
behind a satin curtain) enlivened senior lessons; in 1894 pupils had studied history, geography and literature by following
Life Summary Miss Ellen's journey overseas. German was taught and French was popular: one teacher was sent to Paris to study for a
Resources year as a means to 'keep us in touch with the old land and its modern systems'. Some of Adelaide's leaders in art, music and
Abbreviations elocution taught at the school, while club-swinging, drill, tennis, cricket and swimming were also provided.
Article History
Also in this Article: Because the Thornbers espoused 'the glorious principles of Froebel', in the kindergarten (which included boys) time was
Thornber, Catherine Maria devoted to structured play; the sisters supported Lillian De Lissa, an advocate of Montessori's system, who stayed with them
(1837 - 1924)
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 (1837 - 1924)
on her return from England. With her, Miss Catherine was a promoter of the Kindergarten Union of South Australia.
Thornber, Rachel Anne
(1839 - 1930)
The sisters' personalities differed. The devout Rachel, born on 3 March 1839 at Harpurhey, was afflicted with a stutter;
Thornber, Ellen (1851 -
1947)
overshadowed by the others, she ran the boarding-house. She died at home on 4 February 1930. Catherine was noted for
'the sweetness of her disposition': small, dainty and precise, she generally wore black, corded silk, and often supervised the
lessons of gentlemen teachers. The youngest, Ellen, was an awe-inspiring figure. Absorbed by educational theory and
practice, she had attended the university in 1880 and 1885-86, and the (teachers') Training College. She taught (1880-86)
and was acting headmistress in 1885 at the Advanced School for Girls. She died at home on 18 March 1947. The family
were well-known in Adelaide as hostesses to governors, bishops and clergy. Embodying their period's refinement and
values, they were conscious of the challenges and difficulties imposed by distance from England.

The school began to fail with the spread of government secondary education and the sisters' increasing age. In 1907 they
handed over to a former staff member, Caroline Jacob, then headmistress of Tormore House; she remained in charge until
Unley Park School closed in 1911. Its unusual longevity, its quality and, above all, the personalities of the Thornbers had
made it a leading school, although it did not make the owners rich. All four lived to advanced years in their home at 39
Thornber Street, Unley Park. The Thornber bursary for women at the University of Adelaide commemorates Miss Catherine
who died at home on 30 September 1924.

Select Bibliography
H. Jones, Nothing Seemed Impossible (Brisb, 1985); Register (Adelaide), 16, 17 May 1894; Observer (Adelaide), 19 May,
29 Dec 1894, 24 Dec 1898, 23 Dec 1899, 6 Dec 1924; Advertiser (Adelaide), 4 Oct 1924. More on the resources

Author: Janet Scarfe

Print Publication Details: Janet Scarfe, 'Thornber, Catherine Maria (1812? - 1894)', Australian Dictionary of Biography ,
Volume 12, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp 217-218.

(A-Z) Thorby, Harold Victor Campbell (1888 - 1973) (A-Z) Thornber, Catherine Maria (1837 - 1924)

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Copyright
Janet Scarfe, 'Thornber, Catherine Maria (1812? - 1894)', Australian Dictionary of Biography , Online Edition,
Copyright 2006, updated continuously, ISSN 1833-7538, published by Australian National University
http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120240b.htm

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