By ALESHA CAPONE
THREE generations of the one family all have different memories of St Martin de Porres Primary School in Laverton.
However, grandmother Mona, aunt Michele and pupil Ashlee Haley all agree the school – which this month celebrated its 40th anniversary – has done a wonderful job across the past the decades.
Mona’s children Michael, Michele and Bradley all attended the school – plus her grand-daughter Brooke was also a student.
Brooke’s sister Ashlee is now in Grade 5 at the school.
Ashlee’s great-grandmother Frances worked in the school office before volunteering in the parish office and her great-grandfather Patrick was the parish sacristan.
“I myself volunteered at the school a few years ago where I got to know many of the teachers and admire them for all their hard work and dedication,” Mona said.
When Michele began at the school in 1974 an order of nuns called the Presentation Sisters taught with the help of lay teachers.
“There was no canteen at the time so lunch orders were placed in a shopping basket and sent around to the Bladin St Milk Bar,” Michele said.
“Around 1979 the school canteen was added which we were all very excited about.”
Her graduating class of 1980 recently held their 32-year reunion.
“A lovely time was had by all as 32 years just melted away and we plan to get together again in the new year to support one of our fellow students who has breast cancer,” Michele said.
The reunion was attended by her former teacher Harry Johnson who is still at the school as a Grade 6 educator and student wellbeing co-ordinator.
“There’s been a great change in teaching – it’s no surprise but there’s hardly a blackboard in the school now,” he said.
“I enjoy the children because when you do something for them they are very grateful.”
