Jondaryan State School to celebrate 150 year anniversary
A long-standing Jondaryan family has spoken on their memories of a 150-year-old school ahead of the anniversary. Check out historic photos of the school’s life here.
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As the 150-year anniversary of the Jondaryan State School nears, four generations of a family have reminisced on their attendance at the historic facility.
Gail Hannam nee Grundy, attended the school from 1954-1959 and remembered feeling anxious after being a correspondence school student, now known as distance education.
“I didn’t know what a head master was … I was scared of Mr Weber when he fired questions at me on my first day,” she said.
Mrs Hannam said her schooling experience changed once she was taught by Year 5 and 6 teacher Bernard Hammer.
“He was young and could be fun, he had a different way of teaching, but could still discipline the class,” she said.
Her nephew Russell Grundy attended the school in 1970-1975, and remembers the centenary of the school in 1972.
Head Master Edward Adams reportedly had the students “march around and around the school grounds”.
Anita Polzin, formally Grundy, admired her schooling so much she would later become a teacher.
A student from 1993-2000, Mrs Polzin said she looked forward to finishing her school holidays so she could return to the classroom.
Her son, Miles Polzin, is a current student of the school.
During the school’s operations, teaching expectations had changed dramatically.
For a time, discipline involved a cane, and teachers were expected to teach more than 40 students at once, without the technological advantages of today.
“Gone are the days of rote learning, and copying endless amounts of information off the old chalk board,” Mrs Polzin said.
The school’s 150-year anniversary will be celebrated Saturday, September 3 from 8am-4pm on the school grounds.
Jondaryan State School past students
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