Looking Back and Looking Forward

STAFF

Early Memories

Greta Cleghorn,

Foundation staff member

Foundation staff member, Ms Greta Cleghorn has many fond memories from her early years at the School, and strongly believes that the factors that made the School successful back then, are still the same factors that make it successful today.

“The bushland setting at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School was, and still is, something truly unique. I can often remember walking down from the Boarding house, looking up at the trees and thinking just how lucky we all were to be spending our days in this environment.”

Greta also thinks the small size of the School in the early days ensured that building relationships between the School and each family was important, and even as the School has grown, this has still remained a focus.

“There were only four full-time teachers at the beginning, so we became a very close and supportive group. All of us taught most of the students so we quickly built strong relationships with not only our students, but also their parents.”

Teaching at a new school was not without its challenges though.

“In the beginning there was a lack of facilities and equipment. All our sport was played in the sand or bush, and we had very limited sporting equipment. The Primary classrooms and Secondary classrooms were right next to each other and often caused disruptions with singing in the younger years while the older students were trying to complete a test.”

Some of Greta’s fondest memories are from her involvement with the School productions. Her favourites included Oliver, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Man of Steel.

“The productions back then had a way of bringing the whole School together, students and staff were involved in performing, and

many of the parents helped with costumes and building the sets.”

“I truly loved my job at the School, and although at times it was challenging it was always enjoyable and I will always feel grateful.”

Mrs Kym Ashby :: School Community Co-ordinator

Looking back & looking forward

When I arrived at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School in January 1999, the School had recently celebrated 25 years of service to the Bunbury community.

Looking back at my time at Grammar, 24 years further on, as the first female to hold the role as Head of Secondary and Deputy Head of the School, I reflect on the changes and innovations that have shaped our community.

When I arrived Dr Bruce Matthews was Head of School—or Headmaster as he was termed in those days—and Mr John Jeffreys was the Deputy Headmaster, looking after the academic program of the School. Mr Andy Cowan was the other Deputy, responsible for Pastoral Care. The vertical Home Group system had just been introduced and I was a proud member of Redding House looking after RD3!

As the School moved through the early 2000s there was significant development in our buildings and

facilities. The Chapel of St Francis and St Clare was commissioned and The Father Brian Newing Café, along with a new Library and Staff Centre, were opened and extended playing fields were laid. The bespoke and ground breaking Year 7 Centre accepted its first students, with an extension to the Bishop Ralph Hawkins Administration Building accommodating House offices and drawing together the Wellbeing team. The Tony Brooker Pavilion was built, and as a science teacher and then Head of the Science Faculty, I was thrilled with the Science block extension providing additional laboratory space, a new staff office and Prep room facilities.

Mr Jeffreys retired from his role on the Leadership team at the end of 1999 and in 2000 the School welcomed Mrs Carol Hogan, soon to become Dr Hogan, to the role of Deputy Head-Academic. Dr Hogan ushered in a new era for the School. She introduced digital reporting, dispensing of the old ‘Truth Books’ which were used up to that point. Teachers’ use of digital technology blossomed, and Dr Hogan inspired students with her calm, gentle and understanding disposition, her outstanding command of the written word and her love of learning. Dr Hogan was an outstanding teacher of English and Literature and complemented the leadership team as a counterpoint to the scientific mindsets of Dr Matthews and Mr Cowan! Dr Hogan was a mentor and guide

to many teaching colleagues and one of the many women who have shaped our School in the last 50 years.

As a foundation teacher, Greta has described some of the features that struck her when the School first opened. 50 years on, many of those characteristics continue and are now embedded within the culture of our School. The beautiful bush setting remains; providing a calm environment and a focus on nature that is still enjoyed by students and staff. The School has grown and developed but still retains very much the essence of what was originally imagined; a focus on excellence, providing exciting opportunities for students that mean they can stay in the region and not need to move to Perth for their education, and a focus on our Anglican values.

And why have I stayed so long?! Every year has been a new and inspiring one for me. The School is often at the forefront of innovation and continues to grow and develop. We embrace new initiatives, learning from educational research and current thinking. Each year we work with outstanding students and families, we share a strong community and the support and friendships we develop make this a very special place to be.

Mrs Kathy Chiera :: Head of Secondary/Deputy Head of School

BOARDING

No Timeto be Board!

To this point there have been many disruptions to our usual Boarding activities and living arrangements due to the ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to our families and staff who have adapted to the change and been very supportive. I would particularly like to acknowledge the Boarders who have been amazing during this trying period. They have accepted the situation and remained upbeat, respectful, and supportive of each other. As I write this piece, restrictions have been eased and tomorrow will see the end of mask wearing in Western Australia. As such, I will not mention COVID-19 again.

At the start of the year, we farewelled Mr David Sibly, our Catering Manager for many years. I congratulate, on behalf of the Boarding community, Mr Paul

Walker on his appointment to this role. We also warmly welcomed a new sous chef, Mr Zoo Sumi to our community and look forward to his input and culinary flare at our meals.

Mr Josh Williams has been appointed to the position of Deputy Head of Boarding. Josh has served our Boarding community tirelessly for nearly nine years, and will remain the Residential Year Group Co-ordinator for Years 9 and 12 but will take on extra responsibilities. Congratulations Josh!

As much as possible, we have continued with a full and diverse recreation offering. Students have been able to enjoy our staple offerings of beach trips and local shopping along with outings to mini golf, the cinema, roller skating, mountain biking, paddle boarding, sunset beach trips, BBQ dinners at the beach, shopping at Mandurah Forum, golf, spa nights, outdoor movies and speedway, to name just a few. We are so fortunate to have access to, and

be able to provide, such a diverse range of activities which has no peer to any other boarding school I have worked in.

Some works are underway as we look to another 50 years and beyond. The demolition and development of the central area of Boarding has begun. Refurbishment of bedrooms and units has commenced with a new couch and coffee table to replace the old dining table and plastic chairs and new cupboard, study desks and office chairs for rooms. Two Units will continue to undergo a prototype development which will include new lighting, flooring, internal painting, new artwork and sliding doors on each bedroom. This will complement the refurbished showers and toilets and new furniture. Boarders will be invited to give feedback as we continue to refit the remaining units. It is a very exciting time to be here!

Mr Justin Forbes :: Head of Boarding

- Around the School 11 -