Eastern Creek Public School pupils ring bell to honour 150 years

A PRIMARY school will put on a movie night, special fete and reunion dinner this month to celebrate its 150th birthday.

Student Nathaniel Guzman 12, rings his schools 150-year-old bell to celebrate the milestone. Picture: Justin Sanson

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Eastern Creek Public school is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, with festivities coming to a climax this month with a special fete, reunion dinner and movie night.

Throughout its long history, the school has been renamed and relocated at least three times — but its spirit always has remained strong.

The school, originally named Wallgrove Public School, was established on October 15, 1886, at a site further south of the school’s current location.

The school moved again sometime between 1925-35 before it finally arrived at 200 Rooty Hill Rd in 1958.

The small but spirited school gathered to celebrate its special year..

Local legend suggests a convict by the name of William ‘Lumpy’ Dean (lumpy was a reference to his size) ran a small class out of an inn attached to his house near Eastern Creek in the early 19th century.

The teachers believe this was the very first ‘version’ of what is now known as Eastern Creek Public School.

Year 3 and 4 teacher Elizabeth Wallace said 150 years was a big milestone for such a small school.

“Not many schools get to 150 and I think it’s great for the community to know this little school has kept going, and moved three times,” Mrs Wallace said.

“It’s never got much bigger than we are now — we’re 12 classes, we may have made it to 13 or 14, but that’s about the size of it.”

An old photo of the school established in 1866, taken for its 100th anniversary.

The school of 332 preschool to Year 6 students still rings the original bell from 150 years ago and proudly boasts a loyal following.

Former students send their children to the school even after moving out of the area.

Sheridan Shelton, who teaches English as an additional language and has worked at the school for 17 years, said it had maintained its family atmosphere.

Pupils Olivia Speed, 12, Jade Horn, 8, and Emma O’Toole, 10, ring the old bell. Picture: Justin Stanson

“Because it’s so small it’s just like a family and it’s got a charm and family feel to it,” Mrs Shelton said.

“People have got such warm memories of this school and a lot of people have said ‘my time at Eastern Creek changed my life’.”

Festivities

■ Saturday, October 15 — the school will hold a special fete with market stalls, memorabilia display, rides, putt entertainment and family activities from 8.30am to 4pm

■ Friday, October 21 — special outdoor cinema movie night for the school’s family on school grounds

■ Saturday, October 22 — a special reunion dinner at Rooty Hill RSL