History of Education and Social Work at the University

The Faculty of Education and Social Work, established in 2003, continues the long tradition in Education and Social Work within the University and the amalgamated institution (the Sydney Institute of Education, formerly Sydney Teachers College).

The first teacher training colleges in Australia were established in Sydney in the late 19th century. In 1906 several teachers colleges were amalgamated to form Sydney Teachers College at Blackfriars, in close proximity to the University. In the University's Faculty of Arts lectureships in Education had been established by the turn of the century. In 1922 Sydney Teachers College moved onto the grounds of the university (into the current Old Teachers College building), where it remained until the 1980s as a separate institution to the University.

The first chair in Education at the University was established in 1911, when Alexander Mackie, the foundation principal of Sydney Teachers College, became a professor in Education in the Faculty of Arts. In 1940 Education was established as a department in the Faculty of Arts, and continued to be part of that Faculty until 1986, when it became a Faculty in its own right, comprising three schools: the School of Teaching & Curriculum Studies, the School of Educational Measurement, Psychology & Technology, and the School of Social and Policy Studies in Education. The founding foundation Dean of the Faculty of Education was Professor Cliff Turney.

In 1990 the Sydney Institute of Education (formerly Sydney Teachers College, and then part of the multi-campus Sydney College of Advanced Education) was amalgamated with the Faculty of Education, greatly increasing the size of the Faculty's staff and student bodies. The enlarged Faculty moved into two new Education buildings adjacent to the refurbished Old Teachers College building in 1994.

In 1998 the Faculty of Education was re-structured to form 3 new schools: the School of Educational Psychology, Literacies and Learning, the School of Professional Studies, and the School of Social, Policy and Curriculum Studies.

In 2001 the Faculty was again re-structured to form two schools: the School of Development and Learning, and the School of Policy and Practice.

In 1940 Social Work was established as a Board of Studies administered by the Faculty of Arts. Social Work remained as a Board of Studies within the Faculty of Arts until 2002.

In 2003 Social Work was amalgamated with the Faculty of Education to form the School of Social Work and Policy Studies in the new Faculty of Education and Social Work.

Distinguished members of staff of the Faculty of Education and Social Work (and it's precursors) include:

• Brian Booth - Australian cricketer (Captain and Vice-Captain). Lecturer in Physical Education.
• Sir Herman D. Black CBE - Chancellor of Sydney University 1972 - 91. Lecturer in Economics.
• Professor Tony Blake AM - Vice Chancellor University of Technology, Sydney 1996 - present. Principal Kuringai CAE 1988 - 89.
• Professor M. S. Brown - Foundation Dean of Faculty of Arts, University of NSW 1957. Director of Social Studies Department Sydney University 1955 - 57.
• Professor William F Connell OBE, FASSA - Professor of Education 1955 - 76. Mackie Medal 1977. University Professor from 2004.
• Dr Percival Cole - Vice Principal Sydney Teachers College 1900 - 44.
• Professor Kenneth J. Eltis FACE- Dean of Education 1994 - 97; Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney 1997 - 2003; Sir Harold Wyndham Medal 1997.
• Frank Hinder - Artist.
• Professor A.D.Hope - Poet and Professor of English at Canberra University College. Lecturer in Education.
• Professor Alexander Mackie - First Principal of Sydney Teachers College (1906 - 1940) and first Professor of Education at the University of Sydney (1910 - 1940).
• Professor Christopher R. McRae - Principal of Sydney Teachers College 1940 - 1947, Professor of Education and first Head of Education Department at Sydney University 1940 - 55. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Sydney University 1955 - 61.
• Dr G. E. Phillips - Principal of Sydney Teachers College 1947 - 1951, Vice Principal 1944 - 47.
• Professor Geoffrey E. Sherington FRAHS - Dean of Education 1997 - 2003; Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney 2003.
• Professor Don Spearritt AM - Professor of Education 1968 - 86.
• Christina Stead - Novelist and Lecturer in Education.
• Thistle Stead (nee Harris) - Botanist, conservationist and author.
• Dr Ivan S. Turner - Principal of Sydney Teachers College 1951 - 67.
• Professor Clifford Turney - Foundation dean of the Faculty of Education 1986 - 93.
• Ken Unsworth - Artist; Lecturer in Art Education.
• Professor E. G. Waterhouse - Professor of German and world authority on camellias.
• Sir Harold Wyndham - NSW Director General of Education; Lecturer in Education.