Known as Frances Craig, she was born in 1888 at Swansea, Tasmania.[1] However, her father, Rev. William Waters Craig who was a Presbyterian clergyman was sent to Singleton, New South Wales, and so Frances completed her primary school teaching there.[1]
Frances Craig began teaching in 1912 at a school based in Newcastle, but later enrolled at the University of Sydney and studied there.[1]
Teaching career
Soon after, in 1917, Craig transferred to the University of Queensland in order to take a position as resident mistress at Brisbane High School for Girls (called Somerville House in 1920) where she finished her degree in 1919.[1] After some time abroad where she undertook further study and experience, in 1932 Craig accepted the invitation at Somerville House to become vice-principal following the retirement of Constance Elizabeth Harker. She was appointed principal of Somerville House from 1 January 1941.[2]
From January 1942 in World War II, the premises on which Somerville House was located was commandeered by the Australian Military Forces,[3][4] and later used as a headquarters by a supply section of the United States Army. Day pupils were divided between Drysllwyn in Auchenflower and Queen Alexandra Home in Coorparoo, while the boarders were relocated to Mioiminda in Stanthorpe.[5][6] Due to Craig's persistence and effort to keep together dispersed centres, students were able to return to the former school grounds in January 1945 where classes commended on 6 February.[1][7]
