by Lorna Gordon

Schofields Public School is turning 100 years old this month , and there will be celebrations galore . The school originally operated in the local church hall in 1918 and it continued there for several years before getting its own building , which is still standing and used as the school library .

The timber building was opened by the Minister of Education on 10 November 1923 . The new school was split into two class rooms , which shared a fire and were divided by a folding partition . In 1945 a tree was planted at the front of the school to commemorate Prime Minister John Curtain Land , and the tree is still

standing today .

With the growth in the community , land was purchased to extend the school in the 1950s but construction was delayed . One new building housing two classrooms was opened in 1960 and the remaining buildings were built throughout the 60s .

A school hall was finally built in 2010 , and the old school buildings from the 60s were knocked down . The school was rebuilt to accommodate the growing suburb and the 1,000 students who now attend .

While the majority of the school is modern , the original school building still takes pride of place and now houses the school library , so all children who attend

the school get to visit its original building .

On 11 October the school was excited to unearth a time capsule which had been buried at the 80th anniversary of the school . Penny was a student at the school and sports captain of the Cockatoo ’ s was welcomed back to help with the capsule and share her memories of being at the school .

The capsule included photos of all the classes and teachers at the school at the time , along with artwork and writing from the students . The contents of the capsule will be displayed in the school library for all the students , teachers and visitors to see .

The remaining Centenary celebrations will take place on 10 November . The

school gates will be open from 4.30pm for a self-guided tour and food trucks will be onsite for you to get snacks . From 6.30 pm it ’ s the official welcome to the school , performances by students and a raffle and at 8.30pm . There will be a fireworks display .

On Saturday 11 the gates open at 12 mid-day for a self-guided tour of the school . There will be a BBQ and coffee van on site and seating available so past staff and students can take their time to catch up with old friends .

The school is looking forward to welcoming past members of staff and students along with our local families and neighbours to celebrate this wonderful anniversary .