The Cathedral School Townsville principal Ian Gamack shares his views with the North Queensland Register regarding the school's centenary anniversary (being celebrated in July), its proud history and the values that are still held dear today. An eight page feature celebrating The Cathedral School’s history and 100 year achievement will be appearing in the May 4 North Queensland Register and can be viewed online.
The school was set up as a place for young North Queensland girls to live and learn under the direction of an order of Church of England Sisters known as the Society of the Sacred Advent(SSA).
Mr Gamack said in its first 62 years it was called St Anne’s Church of England Girl’s School and the Sisters single goal was to educate the students in their care in a Christian environment.
“As we head towards the 100th celebration of the school’s foundation on July 21 this year it’s a great opportunity to reflect on what the school stands for and if we’ve remained true to the goals set by those decision makers and leaders throughout our school’s proud history,” he said.
“Any school that has reached the centenary milestone has many important stories to tell, some inspired by outside forces ranging from two World Wars to the advent of technology; others directed by internal decisions, like the relocation of the school’s campus from Townsville City to its current location, or the introduction of boys to the school in 1980. The real test at these times is if the school’s positive and child centred culture continues to build through these changes,” he said.
Mr Gamack said while the collection of data has become the holy grail of education in the second decade of the 21st Century, longitudinally it’s very difficult to measure the ongoing success of the school’s early vision and culture in any other way but anecdotal evidence obtained through past and present students, staff members, parents, board members and community members far and wide.
“The feedback we receive is surprisingly consistent in its content and it would certainly give our founding SSA sisters and 1917 school community great heart to hear that we are still regarded as a school that values the individual needs of each of our students and that our school offers a caring and holistic education that prepares our students for what lies beyond the school gates when they graduate.
“In 2017 we are now a school that has aspirations across a broad spectrum of academic, vocational and co-curricular pursuits. Our day and boarding students have significant choice in their selection of programs, each designed to lead to authentic post school pathways.”
He said the centenary will provide an opportunity for past and present members of the St Anne’s and Cathedral School community to reflect on the place and influence that their time in the school had or is having in their lives.
“For me its most important outcome will be the bringing together of the people; some of whom will be present in person on July 21, others who will see the pictures and stories online and some who will be only here in memory and spirit.
“No matter what, they have all had a hand in shaping the very successful first 100 years of our school and they will have great confidence that the next 100 years will see The Cathedral School continue the traditions and pursuit of excellence that has been the hallmark of the school in its first century of existence.”
For information and booking enquiries regarding The Cathedral School’s centenary celebration events please contact Regina Blackburn on 07 4722 2026 or email marketing@cathedral.qld.edu.au. And visit The Cathedral School Centenary website.
