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Christ Church Grammar School

CCGS opened in 7 February 1910 as a preparatory school.

Battye 1912-13:
CHRIST CHURCH PREPARATORY SCHOOL.
This was established some three years ago by the Rev. Canon W. J. McClemans as a preparatory establishment for boys not sufficiently advanced or too young for the higher secondary schools. After three years’ experience the success of the school has fully justified the hopes of the principal. At the recent Naval Cadetship Examinations, one of the Christ Church boys had the distinction of being close to the top of the list.

Wikipedia (edited):
Christ Church Grammar School is a multi-campus independent Anglican single-sex early learning, primary and secondary day and boarding school for boys. Located in Perth, Western Australia, the school's main campus overlooks Freshwater Bay on the Swan River, in the suburb of Claremont.
Christ Church Grammar School was founded in 1910 by Canon W. J. McClemans. The school opened on 7 February 1910 as Christ Church Preparatory School with a single classroom and a dozen boys. In 1917, the school's status was raised from a preparatory school to university junior examination level and renamed Christ Church School. In 1931, it became known as Christ Church Grammar School—from the name of the church on the opposite side of Queenslea Drive, which served as the school chapel until the present one was built in about 1971.

There were three original houses: Highbury, Queenslea, Romsey. Two boarding houses were McClemans and Walters. There are now eight houses: Romsey, Queenslea, Craigie, Wolsey, Jupp, Noake, Moyes, Hill.

Wikipedia:
In 1911, requests were made to Canon McClemans to take boarders. Initially, there was no boarding house and the first boarders resided with the McClemans family in the rectory. Boarding reached its peak in the 1980s when almost a quarter of the student population were boarders. Today, there are 110 boarders who live in the Walters Residential Community. The residential community at Christ Church is organised to facilitate integration between the boarders and day boys enabling boarders to be more involved in the wider school community.

References and Links

Battye, J.S. 1912-13, The Cyclopedia of Western Australia, Cyclopedia Co., Perth, vol. 2: 78.

Edward, Peter & Wendy Hillman 2010, A School with a View: A Centenary History of Christ Church Grammar School Perth 1910–2010, Christ Church Grammar School, Claremont.

Sharp, Patricia & Laurie O'Hara 1992, A Goodly Heritage: Christ Church Claremont 1892-1992, Anglican Parish of Claremont, with ECU.

Wikipedia page for CCGS.

History — from the CCGS website

Foundations – the McClemans years

Christ Church Grammar School opened on 7 February 1910 as the Christ Church Preparatory School. The founder, Canon W.J. McClemans, Rector of Christ Church Claremont, ran the School while carrying out his parish duties. He strongly promoted the need for an Anglican school in the main metropolitan residential area of Perth and believed Claremont was an ideal location.

McClemans' objective when founding the School was to produce men of light and learning – Deus Dux Doctrina Lux – and he hoped it would be every boy’s ambition to become an educated Christian gentleman.

The initial enrolment was nine day boys who were taught in a single classroom on the corner of Queenslea Drive and Stirling Highway. Later two more classrooms were built and the strip of land up to College Avenue was purchased.

Soon after the establishment of the school, requests were made for Christ Church to take on boarders. The first boarders lived in the rectory with the McClemans family. Demand increased and in 1914 McClemans leased Lucknow, a large colonial residence, for student accommodation. In 1914 Governor Sir Harry Barron laid the foundation stone for an expansive boarding house.

School House, built at a cost of three thousand pounds, was opened in 1915. Boys were admitted to the boarding house from the age of six years. McClemans left Christ Church in 1915 to serve as a Captain-Chaplain in the Australian Imperial Force in France.

Growth and setbacks

At the end of 1915, Mr SC Noake was appointed Headmaster. In 1917, the status of Christ Church was raised from preparatory school to university junior examination level. During this year, the Old Boys’ Association was established, the inaugural edition of The Mitre was published and a school library was founded.

In 1918 the main school oval was levelled, and in 1920 the School acquired Mr Higham’s property, Nanutarra. This was a large two-storied house on 2.5 acres providing accommodation for 20 boarders and greatly desired access to the river.

Legislation by Synod during 1917 brought Christ Church and Guildford Grammar School under the control of one representative council. Christ Church did not have any representation on the Council until 1920, and during this time the existence of the School came into jeopardy and the Council threatened to close it. A committee of parents offered to take over the management of the School and the Council agreed to keep the School open. The pressure and stress of this situation forced Mr Noake to resign in
December 1921.

Mr H.S. Thompson took over the role of Headmaster in 1922 and was faced with the pressure of increasing the School’s enrolments. That year the School’s enrolments stayed level at 94 boys. Christ Church struggled with retaining students in the senior years, with boys leaving to complete their Junior, Sub-Leaving and Leaving years at rival schools.

Despite only staying in the Headmaster role for one year, Thompson had great plans for changes at the school including development of the school grounds, additional accommodation for students and masters, and the construction of a gymnasium. Some of the highlights of the 1922 school year included successful fundraising to build a boatshed, the formation of the school scout troop and end of term picnics to Point Walter and Point Resolution.

The Parry years

In 1923 L.W. Parry was appointed Headmaster and during first term it was noted that there was no official school badge. With heraldic advice from the Royal Society of British Architects WA, Miss F.C. Ross drew several designs upon which the current school badge is based.

During 1924 the Council for Church of England Schools was reluctant to fully support the School and Reverend L.W. Parry took on the lease until 1929. While some initial progress was made, 1926 and 1927 were financially difficult years and Parry was not prepared to renew the lease. He offered to continue as Headmaster if the Council took over the School.

His offer was accepted on 1 January 1930, and the School reverted to full council and changed its name to Christ Church Grammar School. The Council invested in the School by acquiring new land and buildings and performing alterations and improvements to existing property.

The financial stability was short lived. With the onset of the Depression, enrolments dropped, resulting in the reduction of salaries and the number of staff at the School. The Council threatened to reduce its financial support and it was suggested that Christ Church cease taking on boarders and return to preparatory school status.

The stressful conditions resulted in the resignation of Canon Parry in 1932. He was replaced by Mr B.T. Walters, who managed to save the boarding side of the School by making it a private venture. Enrolments dropped to 78 pupils – the lowest for many years.

Once the Depression passed the School grew again – in 1936 there were 147 boys and by 1939 there were nearly 200.

War and its aftermath

The Second World War brought significant set backs for Christ Church including financial difficulties, staff shortages, and in 1942 Queenslea house was taken over as nurses quarters. Mr Walters experienced the same pressures as previous Headmasters of Christ Church. This, combined with the tragic drowning accident of two Christ Church boys, caused him to resign in 1942. He was succeeded by Reverend L.A. Jupp, an Old Boy of the School.

During the war years there was little maintenance or development of the School property and by 1945 the grounds were in a poor state. Luckily that year the Synod took an interest in Church of England Schools and the Statute for Church Schools was revised.

In 1948, Mr A. Todd replaced Reverend Jupp as Headmaster and two Old Boys were elected to the Council for Church of England Schools. In 1948 work began on improving the School grounds. Sadly, later that year, Mr Todd became seriously ill and died in October 1949. For a year the School had no Headmaster - resulting in Archdeacon (formerly Canon) Parry and the School Chaplain, Reverend J.F.A. Dobson, sharing the leadership role.

The year 1950 is considered a turning point in the history of Christ Church. The Archbishop appointed a commission to research the prospect of Christ Church becoming self-supporting. The commission recommended the Council for Church of England Schools be disbanded and replaced with three separate Councils, one for each school within the district (Christ Church, Guildford Grammar, and St Hilda’s). The commission’s recommendation was implemented in 1951, coinciding with the arrival of a new Headmaster, Mr P.M. Moyes.

The Moyes years

In 1951, Mr PM Moyes held the role of Headmaster and throughout the post-war period, Christ Church boomed. Enrolments increased from 250 in 1951 to 850 in 1967.

During this period, a large number of buildings and facilities were built and developed including new classrooms, two new tennis courts, Memorial Hall, new Science wings, and the Memorial Building which included the addition of a second storey comprising a library and a staff common room.

Two houses were purchased – these would later become the McClemans Boarding House and the Headmaster’s residence. A block of land next to the Claremont campus was acquired, as well as 20 acres in Mt Claremont that were used as playing fields.

The students experienced academic and sporting success. In 1956 the School was invited to join the Public Schools’ Association; in 1957 the School won its first Government Exhibition award; the Head of the River race was won in 1958; and in 1967 Mr Peter Edwards was the School’s first Old Boy to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship.

In 1967 a plan to modernise the School was initiated. The plan incorporated four stages of development and resulted in new teaching, administrative, sporting, and cultural facilities, including a school chapel – the spiritual heart of the School.

Moyes' commitment to education, and integration of students with learning and physical disabilities led to the development of the Educational Support Unit. This enabled students with varying disabilities to participate in mainstream school life.

Moyes retired in 1981 after serving 31 years as Headmaster.

The Hill years

Mr A.J. de V. Hill succeeded Mr Moyes in 1982. One of his first duties was to invite Mr Moyes to open the new McClemans Boarding House.

The next five years saw significant developments in the school curriculum and system of pastoral care. A focus on music was promoted with the School joining with St George’s Cathedral to provide the Cathedral Director of Music and the Cathedral Choir. The outdoor education centre at Kooringal, near Dwellingup, was extensively redeveloped and its courses became an essential part of each student’s education.

Broad changes were made to the education curriculum, including compulsory study of a foreign language from Year 1 to Year 8.

The School Council established a new Computing Centre, a new building at Kooringal, a greatly extended Music School in the old Preparatory School, a fully-equipped Drama Workshop and Media Studio in Memorial Hall and a new Preparatory School. Financial support from parents and Old Boys enabled the School to spend more than $2 million on new facilities in less than three years. A major appeal in 1984 yielded $850,000.

After serving as Headmaster for six years, Mr Hill left in December 1987.

The Madin years

Mr J.J.S. Madin was appointed Headmaster in January 1988. His time in leadership saw the development of Staff Enterprise Bargaining Agreements, the Parents’ Association and Auxiliary grants, and the establishment of the Centre for Ethics.

Mr Madin managed the next major projects in the School's development. A new Science block and the redevelopment of the Senior School was a $4 million project that had commenced in June 1987. The Science block was officially opened on Founder's Day 1990.

The nineties saw further developments both on the Claremont campus and at Kooringal. A $5 million Boarding House redevelopment was completed in January 2000, providing boarders with extensive new facilities and living quarters.

The School's sporting facilities received significant investment during this period. A Strength and Conditioning Facility in the Physical Education Centre was built with an exercise physiology laboratory and a weights room. The Old Boys Association contributed significant funds towards the purchase of equipment. At the end of 1999, CCGS Playing Fields Pty Ltd purchased a portion of the former Brockway Tip site for development as playing fields.

Christ Church opened its Early Learning Centre in February 2000. The bright and colourful learning space included a water playground.

Mr Madin resigned at the end of 2000.

The Wynne years

Mr Garth Wynne was Headmaster of Christ Church from 2001 to 2015. In his first year, the Council introduced the School Mission – Boys Educated to Know, to Do, to Live with Others and to Be (UNESCO, 1996). The School Mission together with the School Values, published in 2006, have shaped the culture of the School to meet the needs of today’s school community.

During his time in the role, Mr Wynne oversaw further significant developments within the School. These include the heating of the swimming pool using a geothermal system; construction of the Collaborative Learning Centre; and the conversion of L Block into an archive facility, gallery, new classrooms and a state-of-the-art information technology facility, the FutureSphere. Other developments included the refurbishment of Sandover Dining Hall and the relocation of the Health Centre and Uniform Shop.

The innovative, environmentally designed Visual Arts, Design and Technology Building was completed in 2008, providing boys with a stimulating, flexible and functional space where students can explore their creative skills. The Preparatory gymnasium, completed in 2010, provided a covered sports area and a place where the whole school could meet together.

Initiatives to improve the boarding experience saw greater integration of boarders and day students. Since 2004, boarders have been allocated to school tutorial and organisational groups and are part of a residential community known as Walters. These measures have allowed students to become more involved in the wider school community.

In 2009, the Phases of Learning framework was introduced – a core framework of each age and stage with an educational approach that develops from childhood through to graduation. Boys take an educational journey through six phases beginning with Play with Purpose (Pre-Primary to Year 2) and culminating in Excellence and Expertise (Years 11 to 12).

On 7 February 2010, Christ Church Grammar School celebrated its 100th birthday, which was marked by a series of commemorative events. They included a fun-filled Birthday Carnivale; the Dedication of the Torch of Learning, a symbol of the School Motto ‘Deus Dux Doctrina Lux’ – God is our leader, learning is our light; and the Centenary Celebration at Challenge Stadium, attended by more than 3,000 members of the school community.

As the School entered a new century it examined the Strategic Plan, identifying areas on which to focus. Research into motivational drivers in education in the previous year led the School to focus on the first strategic theme – motivating boys to achieve at their best. This led to the introduction of the Christ Church Pedagogy, an aligned, whole school approach to motivation through partnering with teachers and parents.

Mr Wynne also extended the education experience beyond the classroom. Initiatives such as the Pilgrimage of Hope (now Service in Action), the introduction of the Indigenous Student Program and Beyond Queenslea Drive, have enabled students to gain a wider view of the world.

Between 2001 and 2014 student numbers have increased from approximately 1,220 to 1,600 and in 2010 Year 7 transferred to the Senior School.

Christ Church boys consistently achieve outstanding academic and sporting results, including a high number of General Exhibitions and Subject Exhibitions in the WA Certificate of Education (WACE) Examinations. In 2011 the School set a new school and State record with 10 students achieving General Exhibitions.

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