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Two Headmasters in the life of BBC have championed
the creation and project development of new libraries at the College:
Mr A J Birtles (1956 - 1973) and Mr Milton Cujes (1990 - 1995).
Prior to 1973, the small Library collection with its band of
dedicated personnel, led a peripatetic existence, being ensconced
in various classrooms and other less salubrious "locations"
around the School!
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Mr A J Birtles (1956 - 1973)
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Mr Milton Cujes (1990 - 1995)
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However, the title, 'Birtles the Builder' was no idle boast, and in
1973 the building which was to bear his name featuring a state-of-the-art
Science facility and a modern Library (showcasing the latest in audio
visual and media facilities and an impressive collection to serve 600
students and their staff) was duly opened. It is a mark of the affection
and regard in which this educator was held, that the name 'Birtles Library'
has been retained in the existing Resource Centre.
Some 26 years later, BBC's new Resource Centre fulfils a core role
in the life of the College. Opened on 10th March 1996, by the then Governor
Mrs Leneen Forde, the Centre owes its existence to the vision and persistent
advocacy of Headmaster Milton Cujes, and to the generosity and support
of the BBC Parents and Friends' Association, who guaranteed and still
sustain the funding for the project.
The building of the Centre was one of the most ambitious projects embraced
by the College at that time, combining facilities for library print
and networked information technology resources, a lecture theatre and
pastoral care and careers and counselling amenities. In this sense,
the building was designed to cater for the all-round development of
the BBC student as reflected in the objectives of the School's Mission
Statement. In addition, it was intended that the Centre's Theatre would
be used by a wide range of groups for conferences, seminars and workshops,
thus extending the use of a School facility into the Community.
| The whole School witnessed the evolution of this marvellous building
during 1995. During 1994, Library staff had been heavily involved
in the planning of the Centre; but few were prepared for the magnitude
of the project! Events moved from the excitement of the unveiling
of the creative architectural concepts of Thomson
and Adsett, Architects for the project, the promotion and advocacy
by the Headmaster for the project, the massive excavation exercise
during the drought heatwave of December/January '94/95, and the
military precision and complexity of Hutchinsons building and concreting
operations of the 5 levels of the Centre. On completion, it was
obvious that the new building was a visual metaphor for change and
continuity. Ingeniously, Paul Brammer's environmentally sensitive
design had enhanced the Main Heritage buildings with a modern base,
affirming the Centre as the heart of the School and the epicentre
for future learning for the School Community for years to come.
ln this sense we would hope to be fulfilling the mandate given to
us by A J Birtles and by Milton Cujes. |
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Portal Reports
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Please contact Helen
Derrick for further information.
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