Oh, the Places You’ll Go: 11 Key Locations to Visit at BBC

It’s the beginning of a brand-new school year, and, as always, that means there are plenty of new faces on the BBC campus.

Whether your son is a Preppie coming to school for the very first time, a Year 7 boy making the transition to high school, or even if you’re a new staff member just beginning your BBC journey, the first few weeks can be a little confronting. One helpful way to get in the swing of things is to know where all the important places are, so we’ve put together a list of 11 key locations you need to know at BBC.

1. Main Reception

Our Main Reception is located at the Kensington Terrace entrance to the campus. It’s very important-looking – you can’t miss it – but things are a bit different at the moment. Renovations are currently underway to update our reception area, so in the meantime, you’ll find Temporary Reception directly to the right of the front door. If in doubt, just follow the signs.

2. Student Services

Student Services is accessed through the Bell Balcony next to the Chapel. For boys in the Secondary School, this is the place to go if you need any administrative assistance (or help finding a lost boater).

3. Junior School Office

The Junior School Office is conveniently located near the pick-up and drop-off zone, making it easily accessible to all Junior School students and families.

4. College Hall

If something really important is happening, there’s a good chance it’s happening in College Hall. From Assemblies to concerts to the occasional all-staff morning meeting, this 750-seat space is an important community hub.

5. Tuckshop / BBC Cafe

Easily the most important place on this list as far as most of the boys are concerned, our Tuckshop is right at the heart of the campus alongside our brand-new BBC Cafe for parents and staff. Try the garlic bread and chicken nuggets – we hear good things.

6. Boarding House

As a home away from home for boys from across Australia and around the world, our Boarding House Precinct offers residential spaces, communal areas, and a dining room for 150 BBC students. There are even some big TVs so the boys can armchair referee the football together.

7. Birtles Library / IT

If Secondary School students are after some study material or just a really good book (and the occasional comic), they can be found at the Birtles Library, named after our fourth and most Hogwarts-coded Headmaster, Mr Alfred Birtles. If you’re having any tech issues, you can drop in at IT on the way – if turning it off and on again hasn’t worked, this is your next port of call.

8. Prototype Classrooms

All right, let’s talk shop. Our Prototype Classrooms, opened for use in Term 4 last year, are where BBC’s staff and students are testing new ways of teaching and learning to figure out what works best for the boys. What we learn here will inform future development across the campus. It’s pretty spiffy – there are even walls you can draw on. Just keep it G-rated.

9. Noblet Oval

Noblet Oval, formerly known as Main Oval (we’re very good at naming things), is arguably the most iconic of our sports fields; you’ve probably seen it many times when driving down Moggill Road. It is adjoined by our tennis and cricket facilities, and it’s named for Old Collegian Mr John Noblet (OC 1942), whose generous bequest to the College allowed us to refresh and resurface this oval in 2013.

10. Miskin Oval

Continuing our unbroken streak of dynamite oval names, this one sits directly alongside Miskin Street on the College’s western boundary. It’s the hallowed grounds of our rugby program, the site of many a victory for the Green, White, and Black. On the sidelines sits the Graham Thomson AM Grandstand, named in honour of BBC’s much-loved fifth Headmaster.

11. Barbara Helen Thomson Sports Centre

This massive sports centre is packed with spaces and equipment for boys to try their hand at a wide variety of sports. Whether you’re looking to stretch yourself in gymnastics or take to the basketball court, this is the place to do it. The Centre is named after Barbara Helen Thomson, who devoted herself to the betterment of the College and its students during her husband’s tenure as Headmaster.

With these key locations memorised, you’ll be a campus expert before you know it. In the meantime, if you get a little lost, just ask one of our friendly staff or students for a point in the right direction.