Christian Brothers' College, Perth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christian Brothers College |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
|
| Location | |
|
,
|
|
| Information | |
| Type | Independent |
| Motto | Latin: Signum Fidei (Sign of Faith) (First college crest 1894–1922) |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Established | 1894 |
| Status | Closed |
| Closed | 1962 |
| Employees | ~50 |
| Key people | Anthony O’Brien (first headmaster) |
| Enrolment | ~700 |
Christian Brothers College (CBC), also known as CBC Perth or The Terrace, was a private school for boys. It was located on St Georges Terrace in the heart of Perth, Western Australia. The school opened in January 1894.
CBC Perth was an important school in Western Australia. It was the second high school and the second boarding school in the state. In 1905, it helped start the Public Schools Association. In 1938, many students and the headmaster, Brother C.P. Foley, moved to a new school called Aquinas College in Salter Point. Brother Foley took the school's crest, colours, and history with him to Aquinas. He believed Aquinas carried on the legacy of CBC Perth from 1894 to 1937.
Most day students stayed at CBC Perth. The school continued as a day school until 1961. In 1962, CBC Perth moved to a new location in East Perth. It was then renamed Trinity College.
Contents
The Story of Christian Brothers College
The Christian Brothers started their first school in Western Australia on January 31, 1894. It was on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Victoria Avenue in Perth. They named it Christian Brothers College Perth. Matthew Gibney, a Catholic Bishop, invited the Brothers to the area. He knew about their schools in other places.
The first headmaster, Anthony O’Brien, spoke to the students on opening day. He said the Brothers wanted to help young people become good Christians and good citizens. They wanted students to be ready for any job in life.
Early Years and Growth
At first, only day students attended CBC Perth. But during the gold rush, many people moved to Western Australia. This meant more students needed a place to live at school. So, in June 1896, CBC Perth started accepting boarding students.
The school's location in the city had limited space. In 1917, the headmaster, Paul Nunan, realized they needed a much bigger property. They looked at land away from the city center. They thought about buying land at Point Heathcote in 1928. Later, they bought a large area called Clune Park near the Canning River. However, plans to build there were stopped because of the Great Depression.
Moving to Aquinas College
In 1936, a new plan came up. They bought land at Mount Henry Peninsula in Salter Point. This land was much bigger. In 1938, the boarding students and some day students moved to the new Aquinas College campus. Most day students stayed at CBC Perth.
The first stone for Aquinas College was placed on July 11, 1937. The new school opened in February 1938 with 173 boarders and 55 day students. C.P. Foley was the first headmaster of Aquinas.
The Final Move to Trinity College
Perth was chosen to host the 1962 Empire Games. The Perth City Council wanted to build a large hotel near CBC Perth. Soon after, the council wanted to buy the CBC site. They needed more space to make St Georges Terrace and Victoria Avenue wider.
At this time, the school realized its site was too small. The buildings were also getting old and not good enough for modern education. The Council bought the site from the College for a large sum of money. They also gave the Brothers a new, bigger site by the river. This new site was near the Western Australian Cricket Association grounds (WACA).
A brand new school was built there. Building work started in November 1960. The new school, renamed Trinity College, opened on time for the 1962 school year. The official opening was on March 25, 1962. J A Kelly, who was the headmaster of CBC Perth in 1961, became the first headmaster of Trinity College.
Before the old CBC building was torn down, the Christian Brothers asked to save some items. They were allowed to move some important things. The original foundation stone, the school bell, and eight chapel windows were taken to Trinity College. The top part of the water tower's spire went to Aquinas College. Other windows also went to Aquinas. One special window, the "Signum Fidei" from 1911, was thought to be lost. But it was found and restored later. It was given to Trinity College in 1994.
School Activities
In the early days of CBC Perth, students could take extra classes in music, dancing, and public speaking. These activities were seen as important additions to their learning. Teachers who visited the school often taught these subjects. The Brothers also created talented verse-speaking and singing choirs to help students enjoy the arts.
Famous Former Students
- Frank Bryant – A Western Australian cricketer and cricket leader.
- Ignatius Boyle – An Australian politician.
- Ernest Bromley – A former Australian cricketer.
- David Fenbury – A public servant.
- Sir Thomas Meagher – A former Lord Mayor of Perth.
- Thomas Molloy – A former politician and Lord Mayor of Perth.
- Percy Rodriguez – An Australian rules football player who died in battle during World War I.
