Brisbane Boys' College Explained

Brisbane Boys' College
Motto:Latin: Sit Sine Labe Decus|link=no
(Let Honour Stainless Be)
Established:1902
Type:Independent, single-sex, day and boarding
Denomination:Presbyterian and Uniting Church
Headmaster:André Casson[1]
City:Toowong
State:Queensland
Country:Australia
Enrolment:~1,550 (P–12)[2]
Num Employ:~121
Colours:Green, white and black
Homepage:www.bbc.qld.edu.au

Brisbane Boys' College (BBC) is an independent, Presbyterian and Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Toowong, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[3]

Established in 1902, the prestigious college has a non-selective enrolment policy and caters for approximately 1,500 students from Prep to 12,[2] including 150 boarders from Years 7 to 12.

Brisbane Boys' College is a school of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA),[4] and is affiliated with the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA),[5] the Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA),[6] and the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA).[7] The school is also a founding member of the Great Public Schools' Association Inc (GPS).[2]

Some of the Brisbane Boys' College Buildings are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and are beloved by its students and the surrounding communities.

History

Brisbane Boys' College was established in 1902 by Arthur Rudd.[8] Rudd arrived in Brisbane in 1901 by boat from Melbourne and started a school in Clayfield. The school officially started in March 1902 with just four students.[9]

In 1912, the school moved to a new location on the corner of Bayview Terrace, near the tram terminus, needing more room. Even with the new land, due to space constraints sporting activities were out of the question, so for many years the boys walked to the nearby Kalinga Park.[10] In 1908, there were 80 students and a cadet corps was formed with the impending 1914–1918 war. The school suffered the losses of eight Clayfield Collegians during the war.[11] In 1931, the school was moved, again due to a lack of room for new facilities, to its current site in Toowong with support from its owners, the daughters of the late Premier of Queensland, Sir Robert Philp.[12] [13] The Clayfield campus became a primary school department of Somerville House, which later developed into the independent Clayfield College.[9]

Today BBC is owned by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association, which was formed in 1918, and owns other private schools in Queensland.[4]

Headmasters

Ordinal Officeholder Term start Term end Time in office Notes
Arthur W. Rudd 19021930align=right years
Patrick M .Hamilton 19311946align=right years
Dr Thomas Ross McKenzie 19471955align=right years
Alfred J. Birtles19561973align=right years
Graham E. Thomson 19741989align=right years
Mr George Milton Cujes19901995align=right years
Graham E. Thomson 19961996align=right years
Michael G. Norris19972001align=right years
Graeme E. McDonald20022017align=right years[14]
Paul Brown20182021align=right years[15]
André Casson2022incumbentalign=right years

Campus

BBC's campus is located in the Brisbane suburb of Toowong on land bordered by Moggill Road, Kensington Terrace and Miskin Street, with the main entrance from Kensington Terrace.[16] [17]

The main building dates from the early 1930s, when the school moved to the site, and is characterised by its arches and clock tower in the Mission Revival architecture style. The Rudd and Hamilton wings, built in 1963, form a T-shape extending away from the main building, and the modern glass fronted Resource Centre, built in 1996, fills the quadrant. Other buildings on the site include McKenzie wing (built in 1983), Barbara Helen Thomson Sports Complex (opened in 1987), and the Birtles wing (built in 1973). The main Junior School precinct was completed in early 2008, and a separate building catering exclusively to Prep students was completed in mid 2007. The Junior School precinct was designed in light of the introduction of Years Prep to Grade 3 in 2007.[18] The old college hall (built in 1979) was demolished in late September 2009 and a new college hall was constructed and opened in early June 2011. The present college hall includes an air conditioned auditorium capable of seating 695 people, the Phil Bisset Gallery, and facilities for the music department.[19] In 2014, a new state of the art Middle School precinct was completed, which is situated next to the Junior School buildings.[20]

There are three ovals included within the BBC grounds: the John Noblet Oval, the Parents & Friends Association Oval, and Miskin Oval. BBC also makes use of the Oakman Park ovals, Toowong College (QASMT), University of Queensland and St Lucia, Queensland playing fields. The school plans to build new sporting facilities in a location detached from the main school, possibly in Corinda, though this has sparked local residents' concerns about traffic problems and noise pollution.[21]

In 2022 it was reported that Brisbane Boys' College, in partnership with the Presbyterian Methodist Schools Association, settled on the purchase of the neighbouring 1.23ha Goldicott, outlaying 17 million.[22] [23]

House system

The school is divided into a house system with ten houses.

The house system was introduced in 1931 by the headmaster at the time Mr Hamilton. The school was divided into 3 Houses - School House (Boarders), Wesley House (Day Boys A-L) and Knox House (Day Boys M-Z).

Due to increasing numbers of boarders School House was sub-divided into Rudd and Campbell House in 1950. However due to boarding numbers once again declining, the two houses were briefly managed together, before the decision was made to continue with only Rudd House for boarders, with Campbell placed in hibernation until 1976, when it was reactivated as a day house. Five new day houses were introduced in 1980, (Flynn, Hamilton, McKenzie and Wheller). Birtles was house was introduced in 1998, and Cole House was introduced in 2020 after the retirement of long time chaplain Reverend Cole the previous year.

House nameNamed afterColoursIntroduced
BirtlesFormer Headmaster[24] Azure blue, white, gold1998
CampbellSecretary of PMSA in the 1940s[25] Yellow, black, white1950
Cole Former Chaplain Rev'd Graham ColePurple, white2020
FlynnJohn Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service[26] Blue, red1980
HamiltonFormer Headmaster[27] Royal blue, black, white1980
KnoxJohn Knox, leading Reformer of the Church of Scotland; major influence on Presbyterian churches worldwide[28] Red, white, black1931
McKenzie Former Headmaster[29] Orange, black1980
RuddFounding Headmaster[30] Gold, black, green1950
WesleyJohn Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church[31] Light blue, dark blue, white1931
Wheller Long-serving Minister of Albert St Church[32] Maroon, black, white1980

Co-curriculum

Music

The music department hosts string, orchestral and vocal ensembles, as well as concert and stage bands throughout the levels of the school.[33] Brisbane Boys' College maintains the tradition of conducting a pipe band,[34] which plays at public events such as the annual ANZAC Day March in Brisbane and the 2018 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh and in the special 2019 Sydney Tattoo.[35]

Sport

The college offers rugby, football, rowing, gymnastics, cricket, basketball, volleyball, chess, tennis, cross-country, Australian rules football, athletics, swimming, waterpolo, golf and sailing.

They have a number of former representative players and coaches as directors and coaches at the college.

Cricket head coach: Hamish Gardiner – current batsman for the Scottish national cricket team

Recent sporting achievements

Brisbane Boys' College has achieved sporting success as a GPS school in the following activities:

Rowing club

The BBC Rowing Club is active throughout the year however the primary season is during terms 1 and 4, and is open to boys in Years 7–12. The boathouse is located on the Brisbane River, near the University of Queensland at St Lucia. The club has been successful since its first race in 1918, winning more Queensland Head of the River races than any other school.[46] The club's most recent wins were in 2002, 2003, 2021, 2022 and 2023.[47]

The club was founded in 1916, by school founder A W Rudd. The first shed was built on Breakfast Creek in 1918, with the club winning its first Head of the River the following year. The shed was moved to the banks of the Brisbane River near the Regatta Hotel in 1930, where it was destroyed by flood in 1974. A new shed was built near the University of Queensland at St Lucia in 1976.

The club is split between quad sculls and eights, with Years 8, 9 and 10 racing quads, with Year 11 and Opens racing eights. The 1st VIII has been successful at the Head of the River on 23 occasions, winning in 1919, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2021 and 2022. The club's 1st VIII also won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in 1993, becoming the first Australian crew to do so.

In recent times Brisbane Boys' College rowers have gone on to represent Queensland and Australia in Regattas worldwide. John Dickson (Alumni 2005),[48] Scott Laidler (Alumni 2007),[49] Harrison Westbrook (Alumni 2008)[50] and Cameron Stitt (Alumni 2008) are just some of the examples of old boys who have performed at representative level.

Notable alumni

See main article: List of Brisbane Boys' College Old Boys.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Introducing Mr Andre Casson, 10th Headmaster of BBC. Brisbane Boys College. 5 January 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220104152015/https://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/news/introducing-mr-andre-casson-10th-headmaster-of-bbc/. 4 January 2022. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: 2006 School Report . 5 December 2007 . 2007 . Reporting . Brisbane Boys' College . https://web.archive.org/web/20071027154225/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/about/BBC_Schools_Reporting.pdf . 27 October 2007 . dead . dmy .
  3. http://studyinqueensland.studylink.com.au/display/provider/provider-info.html?pid=pid-mm-01-00491j Study QLD provider information
  4. Web site: Brisbane Boys' College . 5 December 2007 . Schools . Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080216001926/http://www.pmsa-schools.edu.au/content/standard.asp?name=Bris_Boys_College . 16 February 2008 .
  5. Web site: Brisbane Boys' College . 5 December 2007 . Schools . Australian Boarding Schools Association . https://web.archive.org/web/20071117110803/http://www.boarding.org.au/site/school_detail.cfm?schID=32 . 17 November 2007 . dead . dmy .
  6. Web site: JSHAA Queensland Directory of Members . 5 December 2007 . Queensland Branch . Junior School Heads Association of Australia . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080412150848/http://www.jshaa.asn.au/queensland/directory/index.asp . 12 April 2008 . dmy .
  7. Web site: AHISA Schools: Queensland . 5 December 2007 . November 2007 . Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia . https://web.archive.org/web/20071102165145/http://www.ahisa.com.au/Display.aspx?tabid=2232 . 2 November 2007 . dead . dmy .
  8. Web site: Brisbane Boys' College – Queensland Heritage Register . 15 June 2009 . West Toowong Community . West Toowong Community Association Inc. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090914151414/http://www.toowong.org/heritage_register/bbc.htm . 14 September 2009 . dmy .
  9. Web site: BBC: A brief history of BBC . https://web.archive.org/web/20020403221153/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/about/history.htm . dead . 3 April 2002 . 15 June 2009 . Brisbane Boys' College . Brisbane Boys' College .
  10. Web site: BBC . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20090829000701/http://ourtoowong.com/services/education/bbc . 29 August 2009 . 6 March 2022 . Our Toowong. OurToowong page for BBC
  11. Web site: Brief History . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091017041213/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/visitors_and_applicants/about_bbc/brief_history . 17 October 2009 . 6 March 2022 . Brisbane Boys College. BBC official brief history
  12. 22 July 2009.
  13. News: 28 January 1931 . STEADY PROGRESS. . 14 . . 22,777 . Queensland, Australia . National Library of Australia . 6 March 2022.
  14. Web site: Appointment of Paul Brown as Headmaster of Brisbane Boys' College. The Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20171202032727/http://www.pmsa-schools.edu.au/news?id=141. 2 December 2017. live. 2 December 2017.
  15. Web site: Our story. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305202734/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/our-story/our-story-page-iii. 5 March 2018. 5 March 2018. Brisbane Boys College. dmy-all.
  16. http://www.qagtc.org.au/cc2009/BBCmap.pdf
  17. Web site: Archived copy. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091002202253/http://www.marash.qld.edu.au/pdf/090126-Sport-Pamphlet-2009.pdf. 2 October 2009. 25 November 2009. dmy-all. CIC fields pamphlet
  18. https://web.archive.org/web/20090725220146/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/pages/campus_map
  19. News: October 2009. College Hall. 7. Sons of the College. Brisbane Boys' College. Brisbane, Australia.
  20. Web site: Brisbane Boys College – News & Media Centre – 21st century learning. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112214656/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/news/building-to-one-moment. 12 January 2018. 12 January 2018. Brisbane Boys' College. dmy-all.
  21. Web site: Brisbane Boys' College plans for expansion under fire - Council - News | South-West News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090926122740/http://south-west-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/brisbane-boys-college-plans-for-expansion-under-fire/. 26 September 2009. 11 October 2009. dmy-all. Southwest News – Brisbane Boys' College plans for expansion under fire
  22. News: Allen, Lisa . Brisbane Boys’ College collects $17m 1800s homestead . real.commercial.com.au . . 15 April 2022 . 29 August 2023 .
  23. News: Brisbane Boys’ College Finalises Purchase Of The Iconic Goldicott House . Toowong News . May 2022 . 29 August 2023 .
  24. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 31.
  25. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 33.
  26. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 34.
  27. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 36.
  28. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 38.
  29. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 40.
  30. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 42.
  31. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 44.
  32. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 46.
  33. Web site: Music - Co-curricular Activities - Visitors and Applicants - Brisbane Boys' College. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091017050547/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/visitors_and_applicants/co_curricular_activities/music. 17 October 2009. 11 October 2009. dmy-all. BBC Music page
  34. Web site: 26 June 2009. Brisbane band here to learn. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110608215441/http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/dunedin/62780/brisbane-band-here-learn. 8 June 2011. 22 September 2011. Otago Daily Times. dmy-all.
  35. Web site: Pipe Band - Co-curricular Activities - Visitors and Applicants - Brisbane Boys' College. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091017043903/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/visitors_and_applicants/co_curricular_activities/pipe_band. 17 October 2009. 11 October 2009. dmy-all. BBC Pipe Band page
  36. Web site: Australian Rules Football - Co-curricular Activities - Visitors and Applicants - Brisbane Boys' College. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091017043120/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/visitors_and_applicants/co_curricular_activities/australian_rules_football. 17 October 2009. 25 November 2009. dmy-all. BBC Australian Rules Football
  37. Web site: The Great Public Schools' Association of Qld Inc. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121015011934/http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4691-0-0-0&sID=145368&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=9508578&sectionID=145368. 15 October 2012. 25 March 2012. SportingPulse. dmy-all.
  38. Book: Portal 2003. Brisbane Boys' College. 2003. 165.
  39. Book: Portal 2004. Brisbane Boys' College. 2004. 208.
  40. Web site: Gymnastics - Co-curricular Activities - Visitors and Applicants - Brisbane Boys' College. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091017053220/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/visitors_and_applicants/co_curricular_activities/gymnastics. 17 October 2009. 25 November 2009. dmy-all. BBC Gymnastics
  41. Book: Portal 2002. Brisbane Boys' College. 2002. 143.
  42. Book: Portal 2003. Brisbane Boys' College. 2003. 189.
  43. Web site: thinking.com.au. Brisbane Boys College wins team racing. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080813123132/http://www.boatingoz.com.au/?page=21787. 13 August 2008. 21 January 2010. Boatingoz.com.au. dmy.
  44. Web site: Tennis - Co-curricular Activities - Visitors and Applicants - Brisbane Boys' College. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091017053037/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/visitors_and_applicants/co_curricular_activities/tennis. 17 October 2009. 25 November 2009. dmy-all. BBC Tennis
  45. Web site: Volleyball - Co-curricular Activities - Visitors and Applicants - Brisbane Boys' College. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091017044023/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/visitors_and_applicants/co_curricular_activities/volleyball. 17 October 2009. 25 November 2009. dmy-all. BBC Volleyball
  46. http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/activities/rowing/history.htm
  47. http://www-static.sportingpulse.com/pics/64/71/6471337_firstfileFILE.pdf
  48. http://corporate.olympics.com.au/ayof07/athletes.cfm?AthleteName=John+Dickson&AYOFCountryID=1&AYOFSportID=14&x=0&y=0
  49. Web site: From the Headmaster Notice to users of the Brisbane. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120913134209/http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8210289/From-the-Headmaster-Notice-to-users-of-the-Brisbane. 13 September 2012. 2009-09-02. dmy-all. College News – 19 June 2009 (page 3)
  50. http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/hp_athletes_profiles_westbrook-h.shtm Athlete profile: Harrison Westbrook