BMG 2020 Grammarian Issue 3

6 Mr Holly’s main task was to secure funding. After significant lobbying by Mr Holly and the School Council, this was achieved in 1998 when the school joined the Victorian Ecumenical System of Schools. In the July of that year, Mr Holly left Bacchus Marsh Grammar to become Head of Kingswood College in Box Hill. During these formative years, the parents of the school community made an enormous contribution. Raelene Hawkins and Marcia Gage, in particular, were the driving force behind raising money for the day-to-day operations of the school. CONSOLIDATION In 1998, Mr Andrew Neal, who had been Director of Curriculum at Trinity Grammar, Kew, was appointed our third Principal. One of his priorities was to establish a sound curriculum and secure a strong enrolment base. This involved major changes to ensure the school could offer a curriculum and resources that would attract students from across western Melbourne. Such change is not easy but Mr Neal was able to progress with support particularly from School Council members and Life members Peter O’Day, Sheryl Tunnecliffe, John Cooke, Andrew Dickson, Andrew Conolly and Bruce Marshall. An almost entirely new School Council resulted. In 2001, work commenced in earnest to develop an achievable Strategic Plan to help move the school forward. Mr Neal‘s endeavours were supported by a new management team comprising Deputy Principals Elizabeth O’Day and Kevin Richardson, Business Manager Greg Gough and the School Council. The process was further assisted by the enormous contribution made by the Principal’s Assistant, Michelle Graham. The results were soon seen with significant improvements to curriculum policy, a more expansionary outlook, together with the consistency and a confidence that come with stable management and a united School Council. Ongoing curriculum consolidation, development, and innovation have been made across the Senior, Middle and Junior schools. This has been supported by substantial growth in the school’s infrastructure and resources, the size of the Maddingley campus and a flourishing co-curricular program. The process of growth has continued with the establishment of a campus on 200 acres at Staughton Vale and a Prep - Year 8 campus at Aintree/Rockbank. Academically, the school is proud of its reputation. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of students achieving at the highest levels, and we boast one of the most extensive Year 12 programs in the State. In many respects, Bacchus Marsh Grammar has come of age. This has been thanks to the enormous effort and hard work of many people including long-serving staff and parents committed to the moral and philosophical foundations of our school. The best still lies ahead. It is with great confidence the School is embarking on the next exciting phase of development to underpin its long-term future. – Ms Lou Callow, Artist in Residence