Page 48 - Potted History 2017

1989
John Inverarity becomes Headmaster and begins an
unprecedented programme of building and development,
including the new Administration block, the Peter Wright Design
and Technology Centre, the John Inverarity Music and Drama
Centre and the Sports Pavilion on the northern bank of Craig
Oval.
Inverarity’s vision for the future of the School was definite:
A major aim of the School is to create an environment
in which worthwhile pursuits and enriching human
relationships flourish. It will be a place where there
will be whole-hearted, enthusiastic involvement in,
and commitment to, a balanced variety of worthwhile
endeavours. This involvement should be coupled with
a pursuit of excellence whilst taking great care not to
sacrifice the sensitive and gracious aspects of life …
High priority should be given to:
• Pursuing academic excellence
• Understanding, caring for and loving the boys
• Heightening the spiritual awareness of the students
• Maintaining an optimum range of activities which
John Inverarity should include music, drama, sport, out-dooring,
debating, crafts and a variety of hobbies in an
attempt to develop wholesome all-round boys with
good measures of self-esteem
• Having a purposeful, well-ordered, busy, optimistic,
friendly and encouraging tone in the School.
• Attempting to develop caring, tolerant,
independent, lively, capable, honest, service aware
and gracious school leavers who have a loyalty and
sense of belonging to the School.’ 24
The Outdoor Education programme was transferred from the site
at Wittenoom. after 19 years of operation. Whilst other sites were
readily available in the South-West, several staff were adamant
that a North-West location should remain at the core and spirit
of Hale’s Outdoor Education programme. After initially operating
from the Royal Australian Air Force base at Learmonth, the North-
West camps were first transferred to Old Boy Richard Shallcross’
wool shed and shearers’ quarters at Bullara Station, before finding
a more permanent base facility located at the Kailis Fisheries
premises in Exmouth.
The new gymnasium and squash court facility was opened by the
then Premier, Old Boy Peter Dowding.
24 Inverarity in article, ‘New Headmaster for hale School’, The Haleian, February 1989,
pp. 1-2
At the opening of the facility, Howard 1997
praised Peter Wright for his commitment
A new Sports Pavilion was constructed
1990s to agriculture and mining, particularly with on the northern extremity of Craig
his partner the late Lang Hancock (1925- Oval to overlook all the Hale sporting
26). He also thanked Mrs Angela Bennett, grounds. Inside, photographs of winning
Peter Wright’s daughter for her generous Hale School teams in Public Schools’
commitment to the project which would Association competitions since their
contribute much towards the training of inception in 1905, adorn the walls.
future leaders in business and industry
1990 in Western Australia and the nation as a The old Hale School site in Havelock
The new hockey complex was completed. whole. Street West Perth, is officially re-opened
Central to this development was the by then Premier and Old Boy Richard
hard work of Dr Scott Blackwell (Parent Within the Peter Wright Design and Court as the State Constitutional Centre.
and President of Hale Hockey) and Dr Technology Centre are several workshops He said, ‘… [the Building] provides a
Tregonning. sponsored by other Hale families. One critical focus for reflection on how our
is the Frank Noble Systems Workshop, constitutional and political processes have
dedicated by Michael Gregg and family;
evolved, where we are now and where we
1993 another is the E. Howard Wheatley are going …’ In so saying one wonders
26
Old Boy Richard Court becomes Hale Computer Suite, sponsored by Howard whether Court was reflecting a little,
School’s sixth Premier of the State.. and his family; and another, the Gerald at that moment on how much the old
F New Multi-Media Centre, a testament building had already contributed to those
to the generosity of Gerry New and his
1994 very processes.
family.
The Peter Wright Design and Technology
Centre was officially opened by Old Boy E Premier Richard Court opens the ‘new’ 26 Richard Court quoted in Edgar, From Slate to
Howard Wheatley (1931-1933), a long time WA Constitution Centre - October 1997 Cyberspace, p. 338
friend of the late Peter Wright (1922-26).
Headmaster Inverarity’s intentions
regarding the facility were first signalled in
the February 1990 edition of The Haleian
in which he stated:
‘… my great hope is to have
a major Craft, Design and
Technology facility within a
couple of years and take a lead
in Australia in this way”. Later
he added “The aim of having a
Design and Technology Centre at
Hale is to provide an integrated
centre for combining scientific
and technological principles,
with design, creative and manual
abilities … the aim will be to
prepare students to meet the
needs of the twenty first century
25
… ‘.
25 Inverarity in The Haleian, February 1990, p. 3.