The thriving rural school that has helped shape the lives of thousands of young Gresford children is preparing to celebrate 150 years of education this weekend.
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Gresford Public School’s Big Birthday and Spring Fair on Saturday, September 22 will be both a celebration and a step back in time.
The community event is expected to bring together a range of people – students, teachers, volunteers, parents, grandparents – who have forged a connection with the school since it was established in 1868.
One of those former students is Noel Saddy, now aged 93, who plans to drive from his home in Coffs Harbour and will be asked to help cut the celebration cake.
The full day of activities will include guided history tours, stalls and displays, memorabilia, roving minstrels, maypole dancing, games and special puppet performances by Frank's Fantastic Fairy Tale Theatre. Food and drinks will be available to purchase.
Each class has a stall of goods for sale including plants and the school’s honey recipe book.
The students will dress in period costume, sing folk songs from the 19th century and play tea chest bass, washboards and lagerphones as part of the entertainment.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to compare a 19th century classroom with the high-tech, open learning opportunities in today’s classrooms.
The school will pay its respects to the original inhabitants of the land the school sits on, the Gringhai people, with the unveiling of a mural which all students have helped create.
The research involved in the celebrations has covered all aspects of the school curriculum, captivating the students’ enthusiasm as they learn about the past.
Fun facts uncovered in the research:
· The first school at Gresford was established in 1868 as a parish school in the grounds of St Anne’s Church.
· The first teacher at Gresford School, Mr John Bush, was also the local postmaster.
· The original enrolment was 18 boys and 16 girls.
· While the 1881 school buildings were being erected classes were conducted in a tent. The buildings are still in use today.
· Today’s school office building was the original teacher’s residence.
· A piano presented to the school by the P&C in 1921 is still in use today.
