FEATURE STORY
Kobeelya College celebrates 100 years Merilyn Orchard Archivist In December 2021, I took a drive down to Katanning with the aim of finding out more about Kobeelya, the school that I had read and heard so much about – I was very excited to have the opportunity to learn more about its historic connections with Penrhos. The unique relationship between the two schools was originally established in 1976, when Penrhos College began managing Kobeelya, which it continued to do for a full decade until Kobeelya closed in1986. This year, Kobeelya Girls’ School celebrates 100 years since first opening its doors in Katanning and, as I now know very well from my visit, it is obvious there is still much interest and love for this school in evidence in the area even 36 years after its closure. The foundational footprints of Kobeelya can be traced back to 1917 when, in the home of Reverend William Burbidge and Mrs Mary Eleanor Burbidge, a small group set out with the determined ambition to provide a wide and thorough education for the children of Katanning. The school they founded was formally registered with the Education Department in 1919 as Katanning Church of England Girls’ School. By 1921, the school had 21-day students, including 14 boarders, and was rapidly outgrowing its original home at the St Andrews Rectory. Kobeelya (an Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of rest’) was the name of the home of former Katanning MLA, Hon Frederick Henry Piesse – it was one of the area’s most significant buildings, with extensive grounds. In 1922, Kobeelya was bought by the Bunbury diocese of the Anglican Church for £5,000 with the purpose of moving the school and its boarding house to this location on Tuesday, 12 September 1922 with 22 students, 17 being boarding students.
years and again during WWII. A small number of boys were once again enrolled at Kobeelya during the Penrhos era, as day students. Students came mainly from the nearby regional farming areas as well as from Perth and areas to the north of WA. A small number of girls from Singapore, Malaysia and other overseas countries also received their schooling at Kobeelya. In 1976, after a few challenging years with enrolments, Kobeelya became part of Penrhos College, aiming to provide students with the opportunity to enjoy the best of both a ‘city’ and ‘country’ education. After struggling with declining enrolments in a time of economic recession, the difficult decision was made to eventually close the school 10 years later, in 1986. The Old Kobeelyans Association, founded in 1929, brings together a group of former students and staff (from both Kobeelya Church of England Girls’ School 1922 -1975 and later from Kobeelya Penrhos 1976 - 1986) whose aim it is to keep the Kobeelya story alive. Old Kobeelyans Association president Jill Clarke says the group is this year looking forward to celebrating both its unique history and the special friendships that were formed over the school’s 60 years. “We are fortunate to have so many Old Kobeelyans who are still very much connected to and passionate about our school - we are equally proud of our continuing connection with Penrhos College,” says Jill. Our Penrhos Principal, Kalea Haran, spent some time with Association members in 2021 and plans to revisit later this year for the centenary celebrations, further strengthening the links between the two schools.
Unlike other schools of the time, Kobeelya offered a unique educational opportunity for students, with a purposeful balance between academic, agricultural and physical activities. Horse riding was a special feature of Kobeelya and at one time there were as many as 40 horses stabled at the school.
“Our commitment is to keep the Kobeelya and Kobeelya Penrhos school history, friendships and connections alive,” says Kalea. “In 2021, we invited Kobeelyan alumni to register with Penrhos, giving them access to all the benefits available to our Penrhos alum. There is no doubt that we consider Old Kobeelyans to be part of our Penrhos family.”
Although mainly a boarding school for girls, a number of boys did attend the Kindergarten classes in the early
The Old Kobeelyans have been working hard on plans for their 100-year anniversary celebrations, including a
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