The year 2018 marks 160 years of education on this site. The school has had many different names and purposes; however, we are very proud to still be delivering education to young people after 160 years.

2015-present Mount Alexander College

Mr Wayne Haworth was appointed the school principal in 2015, and in doing so, he turned the school around with a new focus. The focus shifted from a secondary school delivering traditional education, to an authentic student-led, student-centred education. A vertical curriculum was created with students being able to choose from over 100 electives. While this is still a fairly new change, it is a change that has had significant impact on student happiness and achievement, and overall enrolments.

2012-2015 Mount Alexander College

The school was rebranded in 2012 marking a new era for the school. Principal Allan Davis brought in a compulsory uniform and changed the direction from a school that catered mostly for students who had English as their second language, to a school for the local community. The name, Mount Alexander College, references the school’s long history in its current location, and its landmark position in the Flemington community. When Mr Davis left the school in 2014 to take a regional role in Geelong, Ms Jane Wignell, the Assistant Principal, took on the role as Acting Principal until her retirement when Mr Haworth was appointed.

1983–2011 Debney Park Secondary College

1973–1983 Debney Park High School

A single was produced Fable Records in the early 1970s by Bert Newton and the Debney Park High School Band, a Xmas-themed release which reportedly reached #11 on the Melbourne charts. DPHSB drummer Bill Kio went on to become a professional musician and is now a member of Melbourne band The Wish.

1966–1972 Flemington Girls’ High School

1931–1966 Flemington Girls’ School

1925–1931 Flemington School of Domestic Arts

The upgrading and rebuilding of Flemington State School No. 250, saw the school reopened as Flemington School of Domestic Arts, which catered exclusively for girls in Forms 1-3 (Years 7-9). A navy tunic, white blouse, hat and gloves became the school’s uniform.

1873–1923 Flemington State School No. 250

On 31 March 1885 the school was closed due to increased competition from newer neighbouring schools in Ascot Vale and Kensington. The school was reopened later the same year to relieve overcrowding at Kensington State School.

1862–1872 Flemington Common School

The Common Schools Act was passed in the Victorian Parliament regulating the state’s education. The Act set up a new Board of Education. The school’s name changed to Flemington Common School and was given the number 250, which was carried on by Flemington Primary School. George R Macadam and Mary A. Gladwin continued as the teachers. The first permanent building for the the school was erected in 1858 and was paid for by the local community (50%) and the Board (50%).  In 1869, Fredrick Hayden took on the role of head teacher. He campaigned strongly for improvements to the school as ‘…the building (a brick one) stands on a level with the footpath and is unfenced in the front, consequently the children when dismissed are on the street immediately, which is extremely dangerous particularly as the mail coaches pass about the time of dismissal, and there is continuous traffic all day long…no playground, only two miserable little yards…Every inspector who has visited the school has condemned the building unsuitable…’

1858–1862 Flemington National School

On 1 December, 1858, Flemington National School was established in an iron building owned by Hugh Glass. It was known locally as the ‘iron pot’ because of the very hot conditions in the building during summer. The enrolment was 54 children aged from 3 to 15 years. The head teacher was Joshua Mason and his wife, Mary Mason, was the workmistress. Joshua retired on 28 February 1861.

In 1861 when the enrolments were up to 65 children, the school was closed temporarily by the National Board of Education as the rent was considered too high. Hugh Glass offered the building rent free and the school reopened. The new teachers were George R Macadam and Mary A Gladwin (Probationary Assistant Teacher).