HISTORY OF CAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Associated Schools of NSW

 

Brief History of the Early years 1922-1944

1922	Mr Archer, Headmaster of Trinity Grammar School, made the first attempts to formalise the sporting association between Barker, Cranbrook, St Aloysius and Trinity.  Barker and Cranbrook were adamant however, they would be eventually accepted into the AAGPS.  The matter was dismissed
1928	Mr N MacNeil, Headmaster of Knox, raised the issue again of forming an association between four of the schools.  Realising the possibilities of AAGPS acceptance was remote, the four schools agreed to establish their own association.
1929 Mar -May	Meeting between representatives of Barker, St Aloysius, Knox and Trinity to discuss the idea of forming a formal alliance.  Cranbrook reserved their decision to join the association.  Articles for the association were drafted and the name, “The Associated Schools of NSW” was agreed upon.
1929 Oct	Annual Track and Field Championship held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, between Barker, Knox, Trinity and St Aloysius – First winner of the Challenge Cup for Athletics - Knox Grammar
1929 Dec	Cranbrook apply for admission to the Associated Schools.  Application accepted.  Waverley College apply for admission - application denied.
1930	Rugby competition begins.  “The H Plume Shield” donated by Mr D Bobart, D Campbell and W Moodie (old boys of Barker College) for the rugby competition, in memory of the founder of Barker College, Rev Henry Plume.  First winner of the Plume Shield - Cranbrook.
1930	Cricket competition begins.  “F H Archer Shield” donated by The Old Trinitarians Union donated in honour of the former HM of Trinity, Mr Archer, for his early attempts to establish the CAS.  First winners of the Archer Shield - Barker College.
1931	First military camp held - only Knox and Cranbrook attended
1931	First drill competition
1932	Annual Swimming Championship held in 1932 at Manly Municipal Baths - First winner of the Andrew Reid Shield for Swimming - St Aloysius’
1932	CAS Debating competition introduced.  First won by Barker College
1933	Waverley College apply for admission to the Associated Schools.  Application denied.
1944	Waverley College invited to join the Associated Schools of NSW.  Invitation accepted

 

A Brief History of The Associated Schools of NSW

• The Committee of the Associated Schools of NSW (CAS) was formed in 1929.
• The Association arose out of a desire to formalize sporting contacts between a number of interested schools (originally Barker College, Cranbrook School,  Knox Grammar School, St. Aloysius’ College, and Trinity Grammar School). Waverley College became the sixth Associated School in 1943. The membership has remained stable since that time, though in the late 1990’s the General Committee investigated the possibility of inviting additional schools to membership. 
• Once sporting contacts were formalized, the CAS became a forum for wider consultation between schools on educational issues generally from the first meeting in 1929 when the Headmasters’ General Committee was formed.  While The General Committee initially ratified the Sportsmasters’ Committee work, there was also interest in subjects such as Cadets, Public Examinations, Acts of Parliament relating to Education, and the war-time involvement of the Associated Schools in issues of National Security. This form of contact on non-sporting issues later became the business of the Headmasters’ Conference of Australia (HMC - formed in 1931) although frequently questions relating to the place of  sport and games in the life of boys’ schools were also discussed at HMC meetings. It is significant to note that in Australia sporting associations such as the CAS, GPS and APS of Victoria pre-dated formal contacts between Headmasters.
• The General Committee of The Associated Schools of NSW established an Athletics competition in 1931, as well as competitions in major team sports such as Rugby Union, Cricket, and in Swimming.  Gradually, as the schools themselves have grown, and the diversity of their communities has increased, other games have been added to CAS competitions, including Tennis, Basketball, Association Football (Soccer) and Volleyball. Chess and Debating competitions were also initiated in the early years of the Association.

• Since 2001 the General Committee of The Associated Schools of NSW has deliberately broadened the range of its interest once again beyond sport, and at each meeting of the Committee, discussion centres on a major area of the life and work of member schools other than sport and games.  Academic department heads and pastoral leaders join Headmasters in regular (quarterly) meetings to share programmes and insights, and to encourage collaboration.
• In 2002 an ecumenical church service was held, commencing a new annual event in the Association’s life.  In some years it is conducted as a Christian leadership forum rather than a service.  In 2002 the first of a regular programme of major art exhibitions of student work was also mounted, and joint leadership development activities for both senior and junior leaders and a CAS Cadet Drill competition were inaugurated.  A CAS Music Festival was organised in 2004, and is now a regular fixture, as are CAS Drama Festivals, first held in 2005.

General Convener's of the Association have been - 

1934 -1934	Mr K. Stewart	Trinity Grammar
1934 - 1959	Mr S W Seaberg	Barker College
1960 - 1960	Mr A J Hood	Knox Grammar
1960 - 1965	Mr K C H Surridge	Trinity Grammar
1966 - 1988	Mr A A K Gifford	Knox Grammar
1989 - 1990	Mr D N Carlos	Trinity Grammar
1991 - 1995	Mr G A Vanderfield	Cranbrook School
1996 - 1997	Mr K O Dobbs	Trinity Grammar

 

From 1997 the Association has employed Mr Martin Haywood as its full-time General Convener.