Toongabbie Christian College

GENEVIEVE AND GARY BRUMMELL (continued…)

In 1992 Garry Gannell was appointed Principal of TBCCS and I became Assistant Principal. I remained in that role until I was called to be Principal of Christian Community High School in the year 2000. To this day I hold very fond memories of the staff, students and parents. It was a significant learning curve, with a heavy and challenging workload. It was also a period of great fun and one in which I laughed regularly (often at my own expense). It was an honour to serve with the staff, many of whom are the best teachers I have had the pleasure to work with. Becoming Assistant Principal opened opportunities to become directly involved in the wider Christian School movement through serving on State and National Councils. It is not surprising that TCC has developed and provided more future principals than any other Christian school in NSW. In 1992, I (Genevieve) decided to become a full-time classroom teacher and over the following years I enjoyed teaching some amazing students in many grades. There were many highlights including coaching the School’s debating team, which won the CCS Debating competition two years in a row, trips to Canberra, school camps with Year 6 and rich learning experiences with the students. The 2000s saw my role change from teacher to K-2 Coordinator and then to Assistant Principal, Primary. This was a period of huge change for the school as the Primary grew from double stream to triple stream. There was also the exciting purchase of new land in Octavia Street. That facilitated the building of the fabulous new classroom block with spacious, light- filled classrooms and a great open space which could be used for chapels, drama and dance. We commenced our involvement in the school in 1983 and remained involved until my retirement in 2016. That meant the Brummell family was involved in TCC continuously for over 34 years. It is a great joy to reflect on the young seedling that commenced in 1981 and today is a thriving and highly regarded Christian school. It really emphasises the original school motto: Grow Up Into Christ. How does a school move from one location to another? Toongabbie Baptist Christian Community School moved from Dunmore House to its present site by walking. Can you imagine a long line of students, each carrying a chair or a box of books or papers, walking along the road, crossing streets, turning corners and finally arriving more than three kilometres away at the new buildings? This is how the Secondary Department moved. There was such a buzz of excitement. The big day had finally arrived! Our new buildings were ready for us to occupy. The school gathered on the lawn in front of the old house. After a prayer and some announcements, each student picked up their burdens and started off down the street. Teachers were stationed at each intersection to ensure the students passed in safety. Heavy items were conveyed in the conventional way, but this method meant that each member of the community was involved. On arrival at the new site the students delivered their items and they enjoyed the freedom which comes from a job well done. The next day lessons resumed but it took a while for us to take our new quarters for granted.

ROBYN CLUNAS Teacher 1984-2002 Board Member 1984-2011 Parent 1988-1996

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