Abbotsleigh Website - G Gordon Everett

Miss G Gordon Everett (1931 - 1954)

A New Zealander with a BA and MA from the Victoria University College, Wellington, Miss Everett's given name Gladys was never used by her. Personal letters and documents were signed "Gordon Everett" and more formal things bore the signature "G Gordon Everett". Her girls called her Ev.

Miss Everett was vague, forgetful, eccentric and a dreadful driver, as well as an excellent and inspiring French teacher. She had been principal of PLC in 1920/21, resigned to study in France and returned in 1929 to be Head of Kobeeyla Church of England Girls' School in Western Australia.

Her major achievement was to nurture Abbotsleigh through the Great Depression. This was no mean feat and many other schools closed during this period. Miss Everett's purchases included Vindin House, which was bought as a Boarding House in 1931, and Read as a residence for the Headmistress in 1933. Adams House, which stood on the front lawn where the flag pole is now, was bought in 1937 but later demolished to make room for the expansion of the Ada Avenue block. The bite of the Depression is testified to by the fact that there was no further building activity until 1954, the year Miss Everett retired when the Junior School building named in her honour was opened.

Miss Everett also expanded the Library and introduced practical needlework and dressmaking classes.

After leaving Abbotsleigh in 1954 Miss Everett travelled extensively. She died in the middle of a journey to Russia in 1970 at the age of 83.

Incidents from Miss Everett's time
Related by an Abbotsleigh boarder
In 1949 Miss Everett spent a weekend with my parents in the country. When it was time for my four year old brother to have his bath, he announced "I want that lady to bath me", where upon Ev rolled up her sleeves and bathed Peter. He is a person who has always related well to people and had obviously enjoyed her company during the day.

School in those days was very convent-like so it was quite a surprise in 1950, the year I did the Leaving Certificate (there were only 14 boarders in the group), that Mr Leslie, the Headmaster of Barker invited us to the School Sports Day. We were allowed to go, but wore uniform. When we went to thank Mr Leslie at the end of the afternoon, he replied "That's all right girls, I didn't think the Old Duck would let you come".

A comment on this seclusion was that at that time as neither Abbotsleigh nor Barker had a Chapel we attended St Paul's, Pearce's Corner each Sunday morning. Abbotsleigh at 9am, Barker at 10am and the local congregation at 11am. The Barker boys were kept behind the church until the girls had left. Many girls had brothers at Barker but there was no way you were allowed to see them.

Despite Miss Everett assuming everyone was always well, when a girl was ill she was well looked after. However when an epidemic of mumps and chicken pox went through the boarders (at the same time) she referred to us as having hives and swollen glands!!!