SUTTONTOWN Primary School is preparing to take a trip down memory lane as it gears up for its 150th birthday celebrations.
Current school principal Josie McBain has delved into the history books to highlight the educational facility’s numerous major achievements since its establishment in 1869.
“A big milestone in the school’s history was the two dates in 1980 and 1974 of when there was talk of the school closing,” Ms McBain said.
“The families were very vocal in keeping this school open and we are still here today.”
Ms McBain also said when the Tarpeena Primary School closed in 2011, Suttontown Primary School became the school of right for its students.
“Tarpeena is now a part of our community,” she said.
Throughout the school’s extensive research into its past, Ms McBain said some interesting discoveries were made.
“Long-serving principal of 39 years Allan Haddy said he walked to the school everyday from the centre of Mount Gambier,” she said.
“Back then, this school would have been out of town so it you would think that was a huge distance to cover everyday.
“There are so many things that have happened throughout the history of the school and you just look around now we are just so lucky.”
Teacher Katie Marshall said the school had also celebrated some more recent highlights including a revamp of the school classrooms.
Held on March 22, Ms Marshall said the anniversary celebration would centre around how schooling was “back in the day”.
“Students are looking forward to a walk to the original location of the school as I do not think they knew it was originally located somewhere else,” she said.
“They will also be dressing up in old-school clothing and some interactive activities will be held which were popular back in the day including marbles, elastics, hand-writing and tomboy stitch.
“It is a very special thing and I really hope they enjoy the day,” she said.
On March 23, Ms Marshall said an open day would be held for anyone who would like to tour the school.
“All the memorabilia and photographs will be on display in the gym and classrooms will be set up modernly,” she said.
“We are thinking we will set one classroom up with robotics and STEM aspects.
“For the older people we hope this will allow them to see how schooling has changed since they were at school.”
Ms Marshall said students would be involved in designing a mural to mark the occasion.
“The kids have already put together ideas of what they think about school and have started forming designs,” she said.
“It will sit on four panels along the gym wall in the heart of the school.
“Each panel will be a different era showing how schooling has changed.”
Ms McBain said past, present and future students can reflect on how the school when viewing the mural.
“It will be a permanent reminder they can come back to in later years,” she said.
“We will do an unveiling of the artwork on the Friday.
“It will be a bit of old and a bit of new and will be something that we last forever.”
Celebrations will start at 1.45pm on March 22 with a walk to the school’s original location, followed by the open day on March 23 from 1pm to 4pm with formal ceremonies from 2.30pm.
A dinner will be held later that night at the Commodore on the Park from 6pm with tickets to be purchased from the school before February 22.
Ticket prices are $55 a head for a three course meal.
