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The Founding Years

Central Coast �ڱ���Ƶ is a relatively young school, however our proud history is extraordinarily rich. Founded by a group of individuals who had the commitment, vision and determination to establish a top rate school on the Central Coast, many of the reasons the school was founded are the very same reasons that it exists today.

The early values, pastoral care and community spirit live on, due to the success of our founders in building such a strong school community in those early years.

In a special 35-year celebration, some of the individuals significant in the school’s early history have come together to make a video that reflects on those founding years. Visit our history page to hear Len Chambers, Geoff Kewley, Richard Lornie OAM, Judy Stokes and Dr John Irvine reminisce on the beginnings of CCGS.

Experiencing CCGS all over again

As CCGS celebrates its 35th year, many of our alumni have school aged children. For several of these alumni their own CCGS experience as a student is held in such high esteem, they’re choosing to send their children to CCGS too. As these alumni become parents (rather than students) in the CCGS community they get to experience CCGS all over again.

Jessica Dagger-Shaw (2003), twins James and Lucas (Year 1)

“Walking through the school grounds brought back wonderful memories of my time at CCGS. It was amazing seeing how much has changed since I finished Year 12 fifteen years ago, but also that there are still many familiar faces. The Library is very impressive, extending over two floors, as well as the new synthetic sports fields. I look forward to watching my boys grow and learn as they explore the new junior school facility next year and experience all CCGS has to offer with sporting and academic opportunities.”

Georgina Bickmore (née King, 1999), children Amelia (Year 1), Madeline (Kindy), Hugh (starting in 2022)

“There is a definite familiarity and sense of comfort that comes with having two of my children at CCGS. It’s wonderful to have them look forward to their days at school and come home to tell me that they played with each other, or helped each other in the playground, or to list the names of their cousins that they played with during recess or lunch. To run into their cousins in the carpark and watch all their little heads bob down the curly path together is endearing and wonderful. I feel privileged that they can foster these family relationships in a school setting alongside their other peers.

CCGS has seen a huge development in the grounds and facilities since I left school, such as the RLC and the new Performing Arts Centre with its auditorium, as well as the newly developed Library. I remember playing hockey on a lumpy grass oval riddled with divots and would have loved to play on the beautiful new synthetic turf that CCGS now boasts! There is so much anticipation surrounding the new junior school buildings opening next year – our children are extremely privileged to have access to such wonderful facilities and teaching staff.”

Brooke Cummins (née Mann, 1994), daughter Maeve (Year 3) and son Jonah (Year 6)

“It’s a really different experience going through as a parent, the school has changed in so many incredible ways. There is a lovely nostalgia to see your own family (both my children and their cousins) have the same opportunities I did but on a much bigger scale, but also know that the heart of the school is still the same. From my experience as a student I always remember the campus and landscape so vividly and the kids are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful green space that supports a holistic education.”

Julie Eaton (1987), daughters Amber (Year 12) and Indigo (graduated 2018)

The first time we came to Grammar with our girls 8 years ago, we were lost and looking for the office. The school was unrecognisable to me all those years later. We ran into the Year 11 and 12 students at the time, all looking very polished, all of them so open, confident and friendly. They walked us to the office, getting to know us along the way and blowing me away with their charm, humour and respect. Our kids ended up just like that when they finished their time at Grammar.

My second daughter has just finished at CCGS and it's been more than 30 years since I attended CCGS. What's changed? Many things! The school is significantly more sophisticated now, in terms of everything. Our 'kids' (now adults) have been exposed to incredible opportunities which we didn't have when I was at the school. They have spent time in remote Indigenous communities, been on humanitarian tours to Cambodia and Vietnam, participated in excellent camps including the Odyssey adventure, and my eldest daughter had the unique opportunity to act as Head Girl. They had amazing coaching in the sport teams they joined and built confidence through public speaking and debating. 
 
Back in 1987, our Year 11 and 12 school camps were at school in the classrooms! We swam in the pool on the school grounds and we sat our HSC at Erina High School where there was space. We had no ovals or basketball courts, no PAC or state of the art library and classrooms....I don't remember a canteen but I imagine there must have been one somewhere? We had to wear our hats and blazers on the way to and from school, no matter how hot it was, and the kids from other schools that took up most of the seats on the bus would frisbee our hats from one end to the other. Only a couple Year 12 students in those days travelled to school in cars. We came from everywhere and felt like pioneers and guinea pigs in those first foundation years of CCGS.