Celebrating 30 Years

A look at Casey Grammar School's most significant milestones through the decades.

1991

The first meetings took place to discuss establishing a non-denominational community school in Cranbourne. The meetings were led by Joan Reid with the support of other interested members in the community. An interim committee was set up with Rev. John Leaver, Rev. Richard Trist and Joan Reid. 

01 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
02 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
1994

Cranbourne Christian Community College (CCCC) opened at the beginning of the year in the Cranbourne City Complex building, with three partitioned classrooms. 

The first year of operation was a true community project, especially in terms of fundraising to pay for a permanent home. A dinner was held to launch the Building Foundation with students becoming ushers for the night and guests watching a video promoting the potential benefits of the school. 

1996

On 5 February, the school began a new era at 3 New Holland Drive. Now with two main buildings, it was able to provide an education for Years Prep to 7.

The road was inaccessible and students had to arrive at school each morning cross-country! However, the enrolment figures continued to climb to 216 students, including the first group of secondary students in Year 7. 

03 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
04 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
1999

While the college’s name changed to Cranbourne Christian College (CCC), its ethos and values remained the same. The year’s enrolment of 408 students included the first Year 10 cohort and a double stream of classes began for Year 7. 

2001

The year started with 506 students and 51 staff, including 14 new staff members. The school’s first Year 12 cohort began the challenging final year of their studies and included three founding students from 1994:  Shelley Hoskin, Sarah Willems and Trent Riley-King. 

 

05 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
06 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
2007

While the Board changed the school’s name to Casey Grammar School (CGS) to better recognise its aspirations, the school's vision, ethos, purpose and culture remained the same. 

The Board also looked at the demand for a similar school in the Mount Martha area, and, as a result, CSV Limited was founded, and Balcombe Grammar School was launched. Evelyn Sayers was the Principal of both schools, while Margaret Buttigieg became Head of School at Casey Grammar School.

2009

The Senior School introduced a third stream of Year 7 classes and 2009 was the final year as Principal for Evelyn Sayers. Under her guidance, Casey Grammar School had grown from a humble 57 students and three staff to a thriving school of more than 600 students and 70 staff. 

07 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
08 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
2010

Margaret Buttigieg was commissioned as Principal of Casey Grammar School by Rev. John Leaver, and Years 3 to 6 students moved into new classrooms. The multipurpose sports facility was completed in July and work then began on the Performing Arts Centre. Expanding the school’s facilities, the new science building was also officially opened. 

2013

In May, Marie Ormandy was elected Chair of the CSV Ltd Board. She replaced long-serving Board member, Rev. John Leaver, who had been Chairman since 1996. 

In October, the slab was poured for the new VCE Centre and land adjacent to the school was purchased from the Salvation Army to create a large carpark. 

09 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
10 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
2014

Planning began to develop the Senior School’s ‘Casey Common’. 

In July, students moved to the new VCE Centre while the former VCE Centre was refurbished and became the Evelyn Sayers Year 7 Centre.

2017

At the beginning of the year, the school’s second chaplain, Monique Riviere-Pendle, joined Casey Grammar School and immediately formed a hands-on and practical Social Justice Group. Working with the Salvation Army, the group volunteered in various programs, including the Companion Club.

In December, Margaret Buttigieg retired after dedicating 24 years to the school, including eight years as principal. During her leadership, the school saw a growth in enrolments and curriculum expansion, and the Senior School grew to encompass four streams. 

 

11 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
12 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
2018

Richard Baird became the new principal of Casey Grammar School. He was commissioned on 3 February and began his leadership of a school that now numbered 855 students and 120 staff. 

A third stream of Preparatory students joined, and the Primary and Secondary Schools became known as Junior and Senior Schools. 

2020

After joining Casey Grammar School as Deputy Principal in 2019, Fiona Williams became Principal in 2020. 

The world was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns had forced students into remote learning from home. Fiona made it her mission to send regular video messages to staff and students to keep the school community connected under difficult circumstances. 

13 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
14 Casey Grammar School - Celebrating 30 Years
2023

With the pandemic behind us, Casey Grammar School marked its landmark 30th anniversary in November with a ceremony that welcomed local MPs, founding principal Evelyn Sayers, and her successor, Margaret Buttigieg.

Two music ensembles were named in honour of former principals — the Sayers String Ensemble and the Buttigieg Concert Band. 

During the ceremony, Casey Grammar School unveiled a new school tie and revealed plans to bury a time capsule within the school grounds.

The school then looked ahead to building a new Learning Centre that will ensure Casey Grammar School continues to evolve and deliver a rich and contemporary educational experience to every student.