ATKINS DRIVE

A DRIVE TO REMEMBER: HONOURING PETER ATKINS

During our Centenary year, we sought to celebrate a number of seminal people who helped shape St Mary’s into the wonderful school that it is today. One of those influential individuals was Mr Peter Atkins. Peter, a lawyer who was appointed as Western Australia’s first criminal injuries assessor, served on the School’s Board of

Governors from 1955 to 1982. He was Vice Chair from 1957 to 1962 and Chair from 1962 to 1971. Upon replacing Reverend

Allan Macdonald as Chair, Peter became the first non-clerical appointment to hold St Mary’s highest position.

As Chair, Peter developed a new constitution that advanced

St Mary’s from a parish school to a Diocesan School, which appointed Board members from the wider community. An astute businessman, Peter invited parents who brought business experience and other expertise onto the Board.

As Chair of the Church of England Schools’ Trust, Peter was instrumental in identifying suitable land and liaising with the Diocese and State Government to instigate the School’s move from West

Perth to Karrinyup. Additionally, he lobbied the Government for loans and played a significant role in the fundraising and financing for the building development at Karrinyup. Peter also established a St Mary’s Foundation to assist country families and families in need with the funds from a bequest of a fellow board member in the mid1980s. These funds were transferred to the St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School Foundation in the early 2000s. Peter maintained his interest in St Mary’s for many years after retiring from his board roles and was a regular attendee at school events before his passing on 31 July 2017. The Peter Pan statue that was installed near the Lady Treatt Centre for Music and Dance in 2019 is a nod to Peter and now we are pleased to reveal that his legacy has been honoured again. On 17 August 2021, the Board of Governors unanimously supported a proposal to name the new internal roadway that winds its way around our playing fields, Atkins Drive. A signpost now takes pride of place at the entry point to the perimeter road, so that staff, students and other members of our School community can reflect on Peter’s magnificent contribution to St Mary’s as they make their way around our idyllic campus.

LEFT: The Atkins family – Luke, Peter, Annie, Milly, Phoebe and Elizabeth – admire St Mary’s new Atkins Drive signpost.