History of Bowden Brompton Community School
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BOWDEN BROMPTON CENTENARY - 1976-1985: INNOVATION AND CHANGE
The pursuit by pupils, parents, school council and staff for “establishing the school classrooms and playing grounds as one entity, properly planned as a school should be’ was vindicated.Just as the dynamics for the outstanding transformation of the school’s physical environment emerged out of the despair of the sixties and gained momentum in the seventies, the thrust for a more meaningful, more relevant, enjoyable and effective curriculum for children in the eighties began to gain form in the seventies.
Two Government schemes gave the impetus for this.
The Australian Schools Commission declared Brompton a Priority Projects school in 1975. This meant that additional funds and personnel were available to the school for the development of programmes which aimed to adapt school curricula and make school programmes more relevant, enjoyable and effective for students.
The three main objects of the Priority Projects scheme are:
- Equality of opportunity – with more equal educational outcomes for all children
- The need for positive discrimination to bring about a more relevant, effective and enjoyable school programme
- A closer interaction and involvement with parents and more openness and participation in relation to the community
In 1978, the Ten Schools Project accepted Brompton’s application to become a member school after most of the staff made a commitment in writing to the aims and objectives of the project: the modification of the organisational structure of the school and adaptation of curricula in order to reflect the multicultural realities of Australian Society.
Grants and advisory support are available to the school in order to assist programmes initiated in response to the needs of the children currently at school.
THE BEGINNING…
Originally was Bowden Brompton Community Workshop School, now Bowden Brompton Community School, commenced in 1977 on the site of the old Brompton Primary School, after approaches were made through submissions, lobbying and presentations to the Education Department by local parents. Their aim was to form a school for students who were dropping out of school or not successful in the mainstream schools.An establishment grant was provided, a major proportion of which was allocated to the Primary School to purchase portable buildings to be located on their own site across the road. This was to be used to house the Junior Primary students who were currently using the original site on the corner of West Street and Torrens Road.
Thus the school commenced on a limited budget and resources, much of which came from several schools who were closing, for an enrolment of 50 students (now 75).
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Over the years the school has changed slightly with some small additions to the original site. One of which was the Brompton Parent/Child Centre being established on the grounds at the back but basically the character of the original building remains today.On the 23rd of November 1989, the school buildings and site were placed on the State Heritage Register.
The old home on the corner of Wattle Street and Torrens Road was originally the first “Head-master’s” home where students were taught cooking in the kitchen and other “Domestic Arts” subjects in the laundry area, etc. Several years later the front four rooms were converted to one large room to become a Drama Room but last year changed to the Meeting Room for students, Counsellor’s Office, Outreach Coordinator’s Office, C.A.F.H.S. Nurses Office and P.E. Teachers Office.
The entrance to the school was off Torrens Road, but with the increase in traffic on the road, it was decided to make the entrance via West Street.
The main Administration Area of the school is now housed in two tin sheds which were used as cloakrooms. Later to be used as a store for timber when Bowden Brompton Community Workshop School started teaching Tech. Studies.
Inside the main areas of the school have changed dramatically from the original Primary School and information gained from past students (some quite elderly) have advised us that eg. the Tech Studies Room was several classrooms and other rooms likewise. The only rooms were the “Teacher’s Room” and “Bookroom” which are now part of one large room, the “Art Room”.
Toilet facilities have changed little, the toilet block on the Wattle Street side is the original “girls” toilets and the “boys” toilets, now removed, were in the middle of the yard. This is now a Volleyball Court and Parent/Child Centre.
One thing that remains from those early days is our magnificent Pepper Tree.
PHILOSOPHY
Over the years a philosophy has grown and still remains today.Students should be treated as important individuals, whose social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual growth are all valued
To provide a safe learning environment and to encourage students to once again value themselves as individuals and their achievements
