ONE hundred and fifty copies of Sebastopol Historical Society\u2019s new book were produced for Sebastopol Primary School\u2019s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.<\/p>\n
Put on sale during celebrations, each of the books co-authored by society members Margaret Phyland and Sue Parker sold within moments.<\/p>\n
Society president Bruce Harris said Sebastopol School Days proved popular with former students and staff, so they\u2019ve printed more for people to buy.<\/p>\n
The publication shares the history of school number 1167 from its establishment in 1873 to 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful chronicle with so much information in it,\u201d Mr Harris said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMargaret and Sue have extensively searched records. State archives, the education department, old school council minutes, everything going back over 150 years. They\u2019ve left no stone unturned.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey collated and formatted the information, and conducted interviews with past students, collecting anecdotes which are so meaningful, giving a personalised sense of the history of the school.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe book promotes the school and the Sebastopol Historical Society so well, and we\u2019re extremely proud of the authors and everyone who contributed.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the school opened in 1873 on its original Yarrowee Street site, there were 954 pupils, and by the next year, enrolments exceeded 1000 children.<\/p>\n
The book features class photos, sporting team details, comments from school inspectors, and sombre content, like information from during the Great Depression, and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the early 1880s, teachers were responsible for reporting infectious diseases like whooping cough, ophthalmia eye infections, and measles,\u201d Mr Harris said.<\/p>\n
\u201c1880 and 1881 were particularly difficult for the school with outbreaks. At one point the total attendance dropped from 460 children to 200.\u201d<\/p>\n