Headmasters......

and later......Principals of CHS

Dr. A.V.G.James, B.A., D.Sc., Dip. Ed.

Headmaster from 1941-1947

(This Valedictory was written by a "contemporary Old Boy" - 1947)

The retirement of Dr. A.V.G. James marks the end of a distinguished career, begun at a time of great significance for Victoria education. The State was recovering from the effects of the depression of the nineties when Dr. James served his apprenticeship in the teaching service at the Alfred Crescent school, North Fitzroy. In 1902 he entered the recently opened Teachers' College. There he came under the influence of the late Dr. Smyth, a Christian gentleman of very high ideals, who has left an abiding and uplifting influence upon those privileged to study under him.

In his studies in Arts, Science and Education, and in Sport, Dr. James was indefatigable. Whatever he undertook, as a student, whether in work or play, was done wholeheartedly. This characteristic still persists.

After a period as head teacher of a rural school in Moliagul, Dr. James returned to the Teachers' College in 1907 as a member of a special Nature Study class under Dr. J.A. Leach. Most of the members of this class (known to their contemporaries as "The Insects") subsequently occupied important educational posts in the Commonwealth.

Then followed a period as special visiting teacher of Nature Study and allied subjects in various parts of the State. In 1910 Dr. James entered the secondary branch of the service. Following appointments on the staffs of Geelong, Melbourne, Coburg and Bendigo High Schools, Dr. James successfully filled the position of head master at St. Arnaud, Colac and Dandenong High Schools.

A period overseas coincided with the coronation of the late George VI. After his return from abroad, Dr. James was temporarily attached to Northcote High School, and on 13th May, 1941, was appointed head master of the newly established Camberwell High School. Except for part of the war period, when Camberwell High School was occupied by the Melbourne Boy's High School, following the taking over of the latter school by the Defence Department, Dr. James has continued as head master at Camberwell.

In the long vacations and in other rare moments of leisure, Dr. James pursued his geological researches. His work was finally rewarded in 1937 by the conferring of the Degree of Doctor of Science by his Alma Mater, the University of Melbourne. His geographical publications, both for primary and secondary schools, are well known in educational circles throughout the Commonwealth.

Dr. James has seen the Camberwell High School gradually expanding and improving, a worthy foundation being laid for the future development of the school. The inscription "Si monumentum requiris circumspice", which appears in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, as a tribute to Sir Christopher Wren, might well be applied to Dr. James as the first head master of Camberwell High School.

On the eve of his retirement from active service as head master he is able to look back upon a long period of very worthy educational service in Victoria. All who have known him for nearly half a century wish Dr. James every happiness in the years to come, and trust that he will belong spared to do many of the things he wished to do, free from the calls of the daily duties of a head of a large metropolitan secondary school.

We feel with Browning that "the best is yet to be".

Mr. Roy W. Andrews, B. Sc., B. Ed.

Headmaster from 1948-1952

Roy Andrews trained at the Melbourne Teachers' College and specialised in Science and Mathematics throughout his teaching life. He taught these subjects at Ballarat, Essendon, Mildura and Kyneton; became headmaster at Warrnambool High School in 1940, before coming to CHS in 1948. In 1952, the school was classified as "Special Class", and this necessitated a move to Dandenong High School for Mr. Andrews so that a more senior person, Mr Ebbels, could be elevated to the new position of Principal.

Mr. A.T. Ebbels, Dip. Ed., B. A.

Headmaster from 1953-1957

A graduate of the Melbourne Teachers' College, he taught at many schools including Collingwood Junior Technical School, Swan Hill High School and Coburg High. He was promoted to headmaster at Wangaratta High School before he came to CHS, leaving to become a temporary teacher at Burwood until he retired at age 70.

1957 PROSPICE VALEDICTORY

Five years ago, a stranger to most of us came to take charge of our school. He came to us with a reputation for efficiency and with a long record of experience. He assumed control in an unobtrusive manner, and within a short time the school, under the stimulus of this new energetic personality, was making further progress on the foundations laid by its two previous headmasters. Now, no longer a stranger to even the newest arrival, but having reached the statutory age for retirement, Mr. Ebbels relinquishes his post and enters upon a period of retirement which we know will be full of activity in some cherished direction. It is to wish him happiness and true satisfaction in the years ahead, commensurate with the hard work and enthusiasm of the years behind, that this valedictory is written.

Much could be said of the growing complexity of the task of running a school in these post-war days, of coping with a rapidly-growing school population in more or less static accommodation, of constant staff changes, of the problems presented by the enrolment of Asian and other migrant students. There is so constant a strain from many directions that the effects on health are considerable. Yet, remembering all these factors, the most enduring impression of Mr. Ebbels will leave with us will be that of a man of sympathy, understanding and humanity. Efficiency alone can be a cold quality: tact can be a mask: but to a man of goodwill there cannot fail to be a warm response. Through the years he has shared with us, rather than merely directed the manifold activities of this school, he has indeed displayed qualities of a man of good will, and from staff and pupils alike there has been that warm response which culminates in this expression of appreciation and the very best of good wishes. Included in these we should like to include Mrs Ebbels who, as a headmaster's wife and behind the scenes, has shared the burdens imposed by her husband's position. We hope that, with him, she will be long spared to enjoy the rewards that are now at hand.

 

Mr. Roy W. Andrews, B. Sc., B. Ed.

Principal from 1958-1965

Mr. Andrews returned to the school in 1958 following the retirement of Mr. Ebbels, and took up the position of Principal as he was now experienced enough within the department. In my 1970 Prospice, the obituary on Mr Andrews best sums up the Andrews Era:

OBITUARY - MR. R.W. ANDREWS (PROSPICE 1970)

It was with the deepest regret that the school learned of the death on April 30th, 1970 of Mr. R.W. Andrews, B. Sc., B. Ed., principal of Camberwell High School from 1948 to 1952 and from 1958 until his retirement in 1965.

It would be difficult to recount here adequately the contribution made by Mr. Andrews in that long period of service, to the growth and traditions of Camberwell High School. He was first appointed as principal soon after the school was established and devoted himself to the day of his retirement to its welfare and the maintenance of its high standards and reputation. Many hundreds of ex-students and teachers will remember his wise and kindly guidance, his quiet sense of humour and his personal concern for each boy or girl or member of staff.

His keen interest in inter-school sport, particularly in rowing, is commemorated in the school racing shell named for him. In the years after his retirement, he continued to be an enthusiastic supporter of Camberwell High School at the Victorian High Schools' Rowing Regatta.

To Mr. Andrews and his Advisory Council and parent bodies, we owe the original planning and negotiation for the erection of a school assembly hall. Before his retirement, he had the satisfaction of knowing that their preliminary plans had been approved. It would have given him great pleasure to have been present at the Official Opening of the new hall and class room block this year.

The school extends its sympathy to Mrs Andrews and to his son, Mr. J. Andrew, and dedicates this issue of Prospice to his memory.

Mr. C. Ivor Gazzard, B.A., B. Ed., M.A.C.E.

Principal from 1966-1967

I have my 1967 Prospice here in front of me with the following article, which reflects on the two years of Mr. Gazzard's term as Principal::

RETIREMENT OF MR. GAZZARD

At the end of February, 1968, Mr. Gazzard will retire from his position as principal of Camberwell High School. It is fitting, therefore, that we should refer to the occasion in this year's copy of "Prospice".

When Mr. Gazzard retires, he will have completed 47 years in the service of the Victorian Education Department.

Educated at Ballarat High School, Mr. Gazzard became a student teacher at Auburn Central School in 1921. In 1922, he entered The Melbourne Teachers' College. After completing his training Mr. Gazzard was appointed, in 1925, to Colac High School. Since leaving Colac, he has taught at Warracknabeal, Castlemaine, Seymour, Essendon and Numurkah; he has been headmaster of the high schools of Foster, Kerang, Benalla and Camberwell.

We, at Camberwell, were fortunate to be able to have Mr. Gazzard's last two years in the Education Department, for when he came to us from Benalla, he brought the wisdom and understanding gained from many years experience in schools of many areas and of many sorts and conditions. His ability to identify himself with the traditions and ideals of Camberwell High School and his encouragement of an even greater endeavour to maintain and reassert these traditions and ideals, are among his most notable contributions to the school's life.

To his position as principal, Mr. Gazzard has brought worth, good humour and understanding.

It has been qualities such as these, no doubt, which have earned him the respect of his colleagues in the teaching service. During his last year in the Education Department, Mr. Gazzard has held the important office of President of the Victorian High School Principals' Association.

We are happy that we have had the opportunity of working under Mr. Gazzard's leadership and we warmly wish him many years of healthful and enjoyable retirement.

Mr. H.J. Slattery, B.A., Dip. Ed.

Principal from 1968-1970

MR. SLATTERY: AN ERA (PROSPICE 1971)

During Mr Slattery's term as Principal of CHS, many developments and changes occurred in the school. Some of these activities were due to his sincere and perpetual efforts; while others were basically beyond his control.

Mr. Slattery was extremely interested in the curriculum within the school. It was his desire, along with some first form teachers, to change the role of first form in the school; that is, to make the first year an intermediate step from primary school to high school. This new method proved to be very successful as the students seemed to adapt very easily. Another of Mr. Slattery's ideas was the elective system in forms 3 and 4. He also advocated the abolition of exams.

One of Mr. Slattery's major tasks while at Camberwell was the supervising of the new building. Mr. Slattery himself, put a tremendous amount of work into the administrative side of the constructions which included continual liaison with the contractors. However, unfortunately, Mr. Slattery did not reap all the benefits from his endeavours, for the improvements to the school grounds have only begun this term.

Even though Mr Slattery did not encourage general sport at school, he took a great interest in rowing. He was instrumental in encouraging parents to donate money to the rowing club in order to purchase new equipment.

Music was another field which Mr Slattery was interested in. He encouraged both choral and orchestral activities.

In retrospect, it is obvious that Mr Slattery's term was a very difficult one. A great deal of his time was donated to the progress of the school. During his three years at Camberwell, he helped to minimise the necessary turmoil connected with the constructions. His arduous task was not fully recognised by many students at the school. However, Mr Slattery's reward must surely be that, due to his sincere effort, the school, as a whole, has been vastly improved.

Miss Margaret Joan Essex

Principal from 1971-1976

OBITUARY - MISS JOAN ESSEX

(penned by Elida Brereton, Principal of CHS in 2001)

Miss Joan Essex, Principal of Camberwell High School from 1971-1976, died recently after a long illness. In his official history of CHS, “Camberwell High School 1941-1991”, author Robert Ewins writes:- ‘Problems of lack of specialised staff, an inadequate staffing establishment and, at times, the poor quality (if not outright incompetence) of teachers were inherited by the next principal, Joan Essex (1971-1976) along with a school which was overcrowded and unsettled, perhaps by the recently completed building programme, but certainly by the general decline in respect for authority, and willingness to accept discipline and direction, which was the product of broad social and cultural changes….. Margaret Joan Essex began her career as a student-teacher at Cambridge Street Primary School in Collingwood in 1935 and subsequently taught English in a wide range of schools……. At Maribyrnong High School as Acting Principal, she demonstrated that a woman could successfully run a large co-educational school……… Joan Essex herself loved teaching and was therefore disinclined to accept slovenliness in others; as a result of her efforts, some staff were removed from the school……. For Joan Essex, the school was the workplace for both staff and students… The school should remain academic, in her view, but those who were not academic needed to be catered for….. In her 1971 Senior Speech Night address, she stated:

“If we are to turn our students from selfishness, unconcern and lack of commitment then we must look at the total experience in their schooling……… We seek to impart certain knowledge and skills, but we must include attitudes and values. I believe that the goals of education are pushing towards the goal of individual fulfilment in a rapidly changing society.”

In 1972, a five day period day was introduced to facilitate the introduction of new elective subjects, eg. First aid, pre-driver education, orchestra. Boys were encouraged to do cooking and girls to do metal work and wood work. Much encouragement was given to extra-curricular activities in drama and music…. In 1975, a careers programme of one period weekly was started for Form IV students…. Work experience was also started for Form V….. There was also a considerable expansion in the opportunities for parent/teacher contact. Ninety-nine parents attended a Parent’s Evening in March 1976 – a very high response rate…. On Sunday March 16, 1975, the school held its first Open Day with large numbers of students participating, most of the staff and overall about 1000 people attending……’ On behalf of the school community, I acknowledge Miss Essex’s unique and valuable contribution to Camberwell High School, and offer our condolences to family and friends.

Mr. D.J.Collins, B. Comm., Dip. Ed.

Principal from 1977-1986

Beginning as a student teacher at Casterton HES, he did his formal qualifications at Ballarat Teachers' College the following year, 1948. He taught at Drumborg, Weerangourt, Heywood Consolidated School, Victoria Park, Brunswick Boys' High, Hillside Reform School and Pentridge Special School. When he first came to CHS, he taught History and English. He then went to University High, later doing a teacher exchange with Honeywood County Secondary School, Coggeshall, Essex. Following this secondment he became Deputy Principal of Williamstown High School, then Foundation Principal of Paisley High School. He returned to Camberwell High School as principal in 1977.

1994 PROSPICE VALEDICTORY - Mr Collins - A Decade of Outstanding Leadership

In announcing that he would not be returning to Camberwell High School at the conclusion of his long-service-leave, Mr. Collins brought to a conclusion a decade of progress and achievement under his leadership.

Throughout his term as Principal, Mr. Collins sought to preserve traditional features of the school, including its Choral Festival, Speech Nights, A.V.G. James Lecture, Musicals and this Magazine, as well as encouraging both students and parents to participate in innovative programs at the school. The annual S.R.C. Talent Quest and the S.R.C. Student Participation Day are examples of recent student-initiated and directed activities, whilst the CHS BE IN IT program has involved many parents in planning future directions for the school.

Improvements to the physical features of the school have included the painting of, and improvements to the school and gymnasium, development and improvement of the school grounds, the provision of computer facilities and the construction of the hall servery area.

Whilst parents, staff and students have all contributed, it has been the tireless energy and exceptional organising ability of Mr. Collins which has brought all of these programs to fruition.

Throughout the period of his Principalship, Mr. Collins has been ably supported by Mrs Collins, who has maintained a genuine interest in the school and its students and has participated in many school activities.

As a result of the leadership of Mr. Collins, Camberwell High School is now well placed to adapt to a future of change in post-primary education.

Mr. Collins will certainly be missed but not forgotten at Camberwell High School

Mr. Roy Coram, Acting Principal

 

Miss Anne S. Rusden, B. Sc., TSTC

Principal from 1987-1992

Gained her teaching qualification (TSTC) from Secondary Teachers' College in 1957. Miss Rusden taught at Nathalia HES, then Highett High School. She then spent two years teaching overseas at Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, and also Tidebrook, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. She returned to Australia and taught at Essendon High School and Kew High School. Miss Rusden came to CHS in 1965, specialising in science, mathematics and physics. She left to become Deputy Principal of Northcote High School in 1984 and returned to CHS in 1987 to become principal. Miss Rusden retired at Christmas, 1992.

(Might I say that I remember her fondly as my sixth form teacher in 1971 - Debs)

Norman Nugent

Principal 1993

(Profile to be posted soon.)

Geoff Sinclair

Acting Principal 1994

(Profile to be posted soon.)

Elida Brereton

Principal from 1994

"Elida Brereton is Principal of Camberwell High School. an outstanding secondary school where demand for enrolments exceeds available places. She has taught in government schools for over 30 years with a focus on humanities, particularly Geography. Elida is both a Fellow and President-elect of the Australian College of Education, an honorary Life Member of the Geography Teachers' Association of Victoria, and a member of the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals. During her career as a teacher, Elida was appointed as the first Regional Consultant (in Geography) to 44 schools in south-west Victoria, and for three years was a consultant in the Innovations section of the Australian Schools Commission. Elida was seconded to be a method lecturer at the Faculty of Education, Monash University in the mid 1980s. All three positions were held while Elida was teaching and heading faculties in her schools.

Between 1981 and 1999, Elida was appointed Chair of state committees in Geography, Earth Studies and S.O.S.E.., was the (Liberal) Minister for Education's nominee for three years on the Victorian Board of Studies, and Chair of the Board's Assessment Committee (1998-9). In 2000-01, Elida was the (Labour) Minister for Education's nominee on the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Victorian Institute of Teaching, representing all government secondary school principals.

Elida has represented the Department of Education in Korea, United Arab Emirates and China, has co-authored four best-selling Geography textbooks, written two Year 12 Geography textbooks, and has been commissioned over the years to write for major newspapers. She addresses Dip. Ed. students annually at Monash University, and has conducted workshops for aspiring principals for the Australian Principals' Centre.

Elida is involved actively in community service, supporting her football team (in vain), and enjoys theatre, classical music, reading, travelling and photography."

PS. When Elida Brereton took long service leave in her first year at CHS, Meg Lees was Acting Principal.