JO HARRISON
HUNDREDS of people touched by the unique school experience that Kelly’s Plains Public School has offered over the last 150 years gathered to celebrate last Friday at a special school assembly to mark the school’s sesquicentenary.
An assembly marked the beginning of festivities with the launch of a book on the school’s history by local historians Graham Wilson and Judith Grieve.
A 150-year celebratory cake was cut by former student Elsie Faddy (Willis) who turned 100 this year and the youngest student enrolled at Kelly’s Plains School Winter Hogwood.
Current students and teachers performed a colourful play depicting the history of the schools principals over 150 years.
President of the school’s P&C Shane Pickett said the day was a wonderful occasion for their small school.
“One of the things that makes 150 years such a great achievement is the way parents and teachers work together for the best outcomes for the kids,” she said.
“There is a really beautiful feel about this school that has a lot to do with its history.”
Planning for the 150 milestone began more than 12 months ago with small committee formed.
“There has been a lot of preparation, however it really all came together over the last few months,” she said.
“It has been a bit of a sprint to the finish line with the kids especially working very hard on the play that they just performed.”
Former students and sisters Judith Lewis (Brett) and Barbara Brett remembered their time fondly when they attended the school in 1942-43.
“We only had one teacher that taught all us kids in one room,” Ms Lewis said.
“We rode our horses to school from Saumarez Station and there was a paddock at the school we could leave them in for the day. The headmaster’s wife would teach us sewing and the Post Office was at the school too.”
During the sisters’ time at the school it was thought the school would close with dwindling enrollments.
However with the increase in small mixed farms more families moved into the area.
“More kids came to the school after we left and of course it expanded,” Ms Lewis said.
Acting principal Richard Cotter arrived at the school this year and said he has been overwhelmed by the interest and support for the sesquicentenary celebrations.
“My time so far at the school has been busy and a great learning curve for me,” he said.
“I have been made to feel really welcome and a part of the school community because I have had to learn about the history, I have met so many past students and it has been a great year,”
A small school still in operation so close to a large city like Armidale is becoming rare, he said.
According to Mr Cotter, these schools still have a place and a strong future.
“Small schools are really important as there are certain schools that suit certain students,” he said.
“Your big in-town school may not suit a certain type of child and it just offers something else for families who choose that for their children.”
Festivities continued on Saturday with a school fair and bus tours of the district.
