Vale Shirley King

Mrs Shirley King commenced work at Newcastle Church of England Girl’s Grammar School on 16 June 1970. When she joined the staff, there were approximately 130 girls and twenty five staff members. She was a key member of staff at Newcastle Grammar School from 1970 to 1999.

It was a very small community school and Mrs King was the 'go-to' person for everyone. Prue Fletcher, who was School Captain in 1977 said at the time,

“Mrs King used to keep everyone going - including us (the girls). Mrs King ran everything! She was the bursar, student affairs officer, secretary and probably the School media too."  

Mrs King was also the great link between the church ownership years and Pittwater House and later when the School returned to administration in Newcastle under Alan Green's leadership. Ms Judy Wotton, former Head of Primary, was fortunate to have worked with Mrs King and commented,

“She was one of the warmest, caring and thoughtful women I have ever known. She also had a lovely sense of humour.  

Working with five different principals during her 28 years of service, her contribution to the School was immeasurable. In a tribute to Mrs King on her retirement, Headmaster Green wrote,

“Words are hard to find to express her loyalty, diligence, dignity and calmness in the quiet unobtrusive way that she has gone about her job. Mrs King will be sadly missed by all.”

Ms Wotton added,

“NGS owes her so much. I would even say her being there helped the survival of the School. It was a small caring community, and she indeed was the lynchpin, a truly humble beautiful human being. Mrs King always thought of others, never herself and thus endeared herself to all."

On behalf of Head of School, Matt Macoustra, and the NGS School community, we share our deepest condolences to her family as they mourn her loss.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday 3 July 2025