Historic Clarence Town Public School celebrates 175 years

The school community is celebrating its 175^th anniversary in 2024, and there are still many markers of what the school used to be like, such as the original buildings which now are the office and library.

To mark the anniversary, the P&C association has some exciting things planned.

This week some special commemorative merchandise has been released, including mugs, stickers, stubby coolers and drink bottles.

Community members and families can make their mark on the school with commemorative pavers also for sale, which will feature the buyer's name for future generations at the school to enjoy.

P&C president Sarah Beynon said Clarence Town Public School is special in many ways.

"We're special because we represent a small but growing community of really close knit family and friends," she said.

"There's a few schools that are turning 175 this year but we're one of the few who have been in continuous existence for that whole duration which is a pretty big claim.

"The school does a really good job of celebrating students, I think."

The school currently has almost 150 students.

Ms Beynon said the school has certainly seen a lot of changes in its 175 years.

"Obviously they've added some buildings over the years but there used to be a church in the grounds, I think it was the Presbyterian that's across the road, so they've actually moved a church building away from the school grounds to across the street at one point, I think to make room for more school buildings," she said.

"The original buildings are now the office space and library which are fun to look around if you're into old architecture. "We have an old school bell, I'm not sure if it's the original one or not, but that was recently in the last 10 years or so revamped and reinstalled."

Ms Beynon said there's also reminders of how some students used to get to school, and records of disciplinary action.

"There's the old hitching post for your horses because kids obviously used to ride their horses to school," she said.

"We are in possession of an old record book where they have names and disciplinary actions taken against students and some of the names are families or names that people would know, maybe the people aren't still with us but the families are still in town, that's fun to kind of peruse through and see who might have been on the records back in the day.

"I think there's a few slaps of the rulers."

The school officially turns 175 on September 23, and the P&C has planned a special assembly and open day for students and alumni on Friday, September 13 where the pavers will be laid.

Afterward, the whole community is invited to a back to school themed trivia night at Clarence Town Bowling, Sport and Recreation Club.