When five residents of the Mornington Peninsula began talking of the need for a church associated boys’ school, there had been no new independent school opened in Melbourne for over 50 years. The year was 1957 and the Mornington Peninsula was developing very rapidly, with hundreds of new families moving into the area.

The dream was shared by an ever-increasing group of dedicated and enthusiastic men and women. Countless meetings were held to garner support for the new school and fairly rapidly, the dream turned into reality.

On February 5, 1961 the builders moved out of the newly completed single block of classrooms and the teaching staff moved in, shifting furniture and books in for the next day which would be the first day of school. The small team of eight Foundation Staff members was led by the school’s first Headmaster, the Rev. Dudley Clarke, who had an impressive ability to inspire wonderful commitment and effort in others.

On the morning of February 6, 1961 a total of 86 students ranging in age from Prep to Year 8 arrived at the new school. The official opening of The Peninsula School was very well attended, with over 2000 people completely filling the enormous marquee that had been specially assembled for the day.

Through thick and thin the Founders held on to their vision of a successful school which would provide a complete primary and secondary education for students on the Mornington Peninsula. The school thrived; by 1965 there were over 400 students in the school including the first group of Year 12 students and the very first Peninsula School Prefects.

On that first day of school in 1961 the Headmaster described the school community as pioneers working towards something new and important. There was a real sense of sharing in an adventure that was exciting and worthwhile.

The Founding Headmaster, Reverend Dudley Clarke, left the school in 1971 after a decade of outstanding leadership. The second Headmaster, Mr Harry Macdonald, led the School with distinction for twenty years until 1991 and saw the school go from strength to strength. In 1992 Mr Macdonald was awarded the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to Education. The current Principal, Mr Ray Hille, was appointed in 1992 and steered the school through a new era where laptop computers became an integral part of the school day. In 1994 girls were enrolled for the first time and by 1999 the School had girls in every year level from ELC to Year 12.

The now proudly co-educational Peninsula School has a near full enrolment of 1350 students. The school is still situated on the original site in Mt Eliza but now also has campuses at Mt Eliza House, Glenmaggie, Mt Baw Baw and the Melbourne Central Business District, as well as educational alliances with schools in China, India and France. The hard work and vision of the Founders continues to inspire those who work at the school.