7 minute read
From the Principal
CBC Fremantle has its origins in the Oblate St Patrick’s school for boys built in 1882 and has had many iterations, over time waxing and waning in numbers and reputation. The late 1990s saw an existential moment where there was some doubt about the ongoing future of the College. Thankfully at that time a number of planets aligned, and the success of CBC Fremantle today is built on the shoulders of all the staff, parents and students who have given their best since the College’s inception.
One of the most prescient decisions at that time was the building of the gymnasium. It is my understanding that the sale of the CBC Tuckfield Street Primary School campus was used to fund the gym. It was a gamble at the time, and could have resulted in a white elephant. The Tuckfield Street site had been purchased from the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in order to establish a primary school that would feed the secondary site. This dream did not end up providing the student numbers that were anticipated and it was the view of the decision-makers at the time that, if CBC Fremantle was to have any chance of survival as a boys’ school, it needed a firstclass gym. Whether this version is apocryphal or totally accurate I will leave to those of you who may have a greater first-hand experience of those times than me, but as they say in the classics, the rest is history.
It is a source of frustration to me that many outsiders regard CBC Fremantle as primarily a strong pastoral school without the same emphasis on academics. This opinion both disturbs and slightly offends, me. I can’t imagine a single school where the Leadership Team deprioritises academics. It is, after all, the reason for our existence. ATAR scores primarily reflect a school’s cohort, and can also be massaged. CBC enrols all-comers, be they outstandingly gifted, like the more than 100 boys who have achieved an ATAR above 95 in the last 10 years, or have learning difficulties requiring the kind of support that we provide through Academic Care. CBC does not offer academic scholarships and, even in my short Principalship, we have lost several outstanding students to elite Colleges who do.
The reasons parents enrol their sons at CBC are explicit and I believe our families are amazing in their support and understanding of what we are attempting to do in partnership with them. The reasons for not being attracted to CBC Fremantle should be out of our control – things like a co-educational student population, proximity and certain specialist programmes. However, I believe some of the reasons parents choose other schools are within our control, and we have taken the first step in addressing these impressions.
A narrative often given for boys who do not come here are some of our facilities, therefore it is my pleasure to announce that we have Council approval for the building of a new Arts’ precinct. Together with another land acquisition we hope to complete at the end of the year, we will have consolidated a footprint that will hold the College in good stead for the future. The Arts’ facility will have a theatre, classrooms for visual arts, media and music and a green room for performers. Retractable seating for 200 will provide us with a professional place to meet with our parents and staff, as well as cater for lecture theatre style learning opportunities for the boys in senior school.
Architect’s impressions of the campus from above, with the Arts’ precinct at the top right.
In order to complete the required work on the more tired parts of our school, we have taken up tenancy in renovated premises at 223 High Street. Our Year 12 students will move in next term and there is already a buzz of excitement among all boys who recognise this latest initiative as a rite of passage, and are looking forward to the amenity and the challenge.
Back on the main campus, the western side of the Cloisters will be re-developed.The dark and narrow stairs will be totally replaced with a new, modern glass stairwell and a lift. Together with some aesthetic touch ups, this will improve both the optics and amenity of our beautiful Cloisters.
On the north-west corner of our campus on Ellen Street, the Marshall Building will be extended and the building completely reconfigured and fitted out. At ground level, the uniform shop will be moved and a sit-down enclosed cafe will become an extension of the Canteen. The old 1970s eyesore will become a modern and exciting learning facility that, alongside our beautiful old Federation buildings, will provide a proud streetscape.
As stated, CBC Fremantle is currently enjoying excellent enrolment trends and has healthy assets, and these plans will not come with exorbitant fee increases. CBC Fremantle is committed to remaining an affordable five stream boys’ school with a rite of passage context, working in partnership with our parents to help form the best possible young man.
Buildings alone, without human and social capital, without deep relationships and without excellent, reflective staff, will not cut the mustard, and the quintessential CBC Fremantle spirit, culture and community will continue to be the secret ingredient that binds everything together.
With the new and refurbished buildings scheduled over the next three to four years, we have not forgotten the other important things. The Honour Boards that once hung proudly in the old hall and were removed when it became Blessed Edmund Chapel, will be restored and updated so that they will be on display in the foyer of our new lecture theatre, highlighting that our heritage and tradition is at the backbone of any of our endeavours.
Marshall Building on Ellen Street.
The Arts’ precinct from High Street.
Which brings me to this. The original school building experienced an interior restoration about eight years ago to provide us with our beautiful sacred space and it is now the turn of the exterior to be addressed. Over the past couple of years, the Alumni Association committee, under the leadership of President Terry Iannello, has been working with a heritage builder to determine the work scope and costs of such an undertaking. I thank Terry Iannello and his committee for their support with this project, which we intend to commence toward the end of the year and complete in six months.
What I am asking for now is that should you feel, as an Old Boy, or a current family, that you would like to contribute to this noble cause, we would gratefully accept donations towards the restoration costs. CBC Fremantle does not rely on its past students for fundraising as many other schools do, and I guess that is a two-way street. Giving is an emotional investment that leaves a lasting legacy – an example of the Greek proverb that suggests we grow great when we plant trees in whose shade we shall never sit. What we have tried to do in the past decade or so is provide authentic opportunities for our alumni to be engaged with their College and each other so they can celebrate their achievements and be reminded of their youthful ambitions and adventures. Events like the annual awards, anniversary reunions and incredibly wellattended Over 60s’ Morning Tea are designed to keep the fabric of our community strong, provide support, reignite friendships and acknowledge the incredible contribution of our Old Boys to the world. The original school, in which every single CBC student has trod the old wandoo floors, is the heart and soul of our campus, and with your support will stand like a beacon of everything that has always been good about this place that we love. I hope the response is commensurate with that affection and the next time I write to you will be to extoll the beauty that currently hides behind that render.
Thank you in anticipation for your generosity – there is more information on how to donate on page 31 and please, as always, you are welcome to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.
