Published on: 1 March 2018





Over 1600 boys and members of the Christ Church community gathered this morning to celebrate the official commissioning of Nicholas Russell, Christ Church Grammar School’s new Chaplain.

The occasion, also celebrating the School’s 108th birthday, opened with a reading and prayer led by Father Peter Boyland, Priest of Christ Church Claremont, followed by a reading from School Captain Matthew Tissiman and an official introduction by Principal Alan Jones.

The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO, Archbishop of Perth and Metropolitan of the Province of Western Australia, was a special guest and led the official commissioning service.

“A Chaplain’s joy comes from seeing students engage with the story of Jesus Christ and the impact he has made on the world.  I am also looking forward to developing positive relationships with the students, their families and the staff of the School,” says Nicholas following the commissioning.

“I remember camping as a child and being taught to select drinking water from a moving stream and never a still one. My experience of this school over these first few weeks is that it is a moving stream, and at times a fast moving one.”

Long-serving staff members of the School were also acknowledged during the Assembly and included:

15+ years of service – Digby Gibson, Luke Farmer and John Price
20+ years of service – Peter Thorne, Bev Philippides and Jenny Joseph
25+ years of service – Alicia Hill

Special guests in attendance included Lionel Snell, The Archdeacon of Perth and Chairman of School Council, John Poynton AO.