The Girls' High School or G.H.S was established in 1892 by Sarah Walker, daughter of George Washington Walker and Poppy Clarke, daughter of the Congregationalist minister George Clarke. Both women had a strong interest in women's education and Sarah had already been teaching at the Hobart Proprietary Ladies College (also known as the Hobart Ladies' College, or simply, Ladies College) since at least 1883. Both Sarah and Poppy wanted a school with a 'high tone' and befitting to cultivated, well- mannered ladies, not a school to 'suit publican's daughters.' Discipline, therefore, was strict and unladylike behaviour was punishable.;;With Sarah as Principal and the more academically - minded Poppy second in charge, the school quickly gained a respectable reputation for both academic results and for having a high tone. Religious teaching was non- denominational and there was little mention of religion in connection with the school. ;;While the majority of students were girls, there were also a few boys in the lower grades. At the school's height in 1910, there were about 140 students. Male teachers also taught at the G.H.S but weren't allowed to teach the female students without a female colleague being present in the classroom. ;;In 1897 Sarah Walker stepped down as Principal, owing to health problems and Poppy Clarke or 'Miss Clarke' became the new Principal. ;;After the school's inception in 1892 the G.H.S occupied several different sites, starting out at rooms on the corner of Davey and Antill Streets, before moving to a building in Barrack Square at the Anglesea Barracks. In 1905 the school was based at 'Westella' in Elizabeth Street and in 1909 the school moved to its final location at 'Roydon' in Patrick Street.;;The 'Girls' High School Magazine' was launched in 1911 and this publication gives the reader a fascinating insight into school life. ;;In 1916 Poppy Clarke retired and the G.H.S was purchased by the Misses Rea, who were Presbyterians. A year later the school's name was changed to Hobart Ladies College and amalgamated with several smaller schools including Wahroonga and the Ladies' Grammar. The school's popularity began to decline and by the 1920s school enrolments had dropped significantly. By the time Hobart Ladies College closed in 1932 the school had become quite small. ;;Several decades later, in 1958, an Old Scholars Association was founded. Members met regularly and organised an annual fundraising day to raise funds for the Lillian Martin Home in Mornington. This association continued until September 1993, when members, faced with the problem of an ageing and declining membership voted to disband the organisation. The association's memorabilia, which had previously been stored at the Lillian Martin Home, was then transferred to the Friend's School, while the official records were donated to the Archives Office of Tasmania (now Archives Tasmania).