The newest members of CBC Fremantle were officially welcomed into the community this morning with the traditional Year 7 welcome assembly.
After being delayed by COVID-19 restrictions, the weekend's easing of rules meant the time-honoured tradition could now go ahead unimpeded.
As crowds of parents gathered in the Bob Rose'Meyer Gymnasium, their eager sons were preparing themselves in the Cloisters for one of the most symbolic moments in their time at the College.
As the music that every CBC family knows began to build, their Year 12 buddies, who have guided them through their first week at the College, proudly formed a guard of honour, just as their student mentors did six years ago to welcome them to the journey.
Then came their new Year 7 mates, walking tall and beaming with pride as they strode into their new community.
Griffin Williams, who had just clapped his brother Taliesin into the College, joined Marcus Hayden to deliver a brief prayer and Acknowledgement of Country before Mr Domenic Burgio addressed the community.
"The next six years are going to go past very quickly," he said.
"It's really important you take advantage of every opportunity you have at this College, and the most important opportunity is that your parents have sought a partner in the development from a boy to an adult.
"The most important way you can do that, gentlemen, is to start standing on your own two feet."
Mr Burgio also urged the boys to consider where their CBC journey will take them.
"When you leave here, hopefully you'll leave with an academic education. You'll have been given all of the sporting and artistic opportunities you want, but most importantly, we hope you will leave a CBC gentleman."
"One whom your parents and families will be proud to call their son or their brother or their grandson, because the world needs more good men," Mr Burgio said.
From today, the Year 7 gentlemen move into their first week of regular classes, having enjoyed five days of transitional activities, including a Retreat and camp that encouraged them to step outside their comfort zones.
Their Year 12 buddies will continue to guide them through the rest of the year, until the Year 7 boys form a guard of honour for the Class of 2021 at their final assembly in September.
