Marking 150 years of education in Meredith

MEREDITH Primary School students, staff, and parents, past and present, are getting ready to ring in the institution’s one-hundred-and-fiftieth birthday.

The school community will celebrate 150 years of teaching and learning in the town with an event on 13 December.

Principal Lachlan Day said the occasion will mark an incredible achievement.

“Our motto here at the school is achieving together so we’re celebrating 150 years of doing that at Meredith Primary School,” he said.

“On the day, we’ll have the school open for people to come back, past and present students, families, community, anyone who’s had an involvement.

“We’re going to have some historical elements available with a photo presentation in our old 150-year-old bluestone building which is the original classroom and school.”

“There’ll also be a bush band on and we’ll have the kids involved with those activities during the day which they can teach their parents during the open event.”

Official proceedings, including a school tour and photo display will take place from 2.30pm to 3.30pm after which attendees can return from 5pm to 7pm for festivities and bush dancing.

School staff are working with the Meredith History Interest Group in preparing archival photos and artefacts for the event.

“They’ve also provided us with a book on the school’s centenary and 120th anniversary,” Mr Day said.

“They’ve made a book on our traveling school bell which started at Morrisons State School until it made its way here, from 1874 to 1961.”

Plans are underway to have a book on the school’s 150 years available during the event, as well as for sesquicentenary shirts for students to wear throughout term four.

Until Friday next week, the school is also selling personalised bricks for $20 each which will be used to construct a new entry and pathway prior to the celebration.

The school’s bluestone flagpole donated for the institution’s centenary is also set to be updated.

Mr Day encouraged those with a connection to the school to get in touch.

“We’re hoping for as many members of our community to come and get involved in celebrating the school and its footprint it has here in Meredith itself,” he said.

“We’re hoping to welcome some ex-principals and students to come speak to everyone on the day.”

The school has nearly 70 students. To express interest in attending or being involved in the 150th celebrations, call the school on 5286 1313.