Past and present students and staff of Herons Creek Public School are invited to attend a quasquicentenary celebration on Saturday, September 22.
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The event is on from 10am until 3pm at the school.
A spokesperson from the school said it’s an opportunity for people to come together and reminisce on their years at the school.
“For many it brings back happy feelings and renews relationships with old acquaintances,” she said.
For more information about the celebratory event people can contact the school on 6585 7125.
History
The first teacher at the school was 21-year-old Robert Dennis whose appointment date was January 6, 1893.
To take up his appointment, Dennis travelled from Sydney to Port Macquarie by steamer and then by coach to Kendall.
A problem at the newly-opened school, as Dennis had pointed out to the inspector on January 17, 1893 was there was no water supply.
The children had to carry their own drinking supply to the school in bottles.
A water tank was eventually erected at the school on October 25, 1893.
Memories
Eva Dykes (nee Baker) was enrolled from February 3, 1918 until 1922.
“I came to Herons Creek school when I was about nine-years-old,” she said in a historical account.
“Previously we attended the small school of Ralfe at Upper Herons Creek, a small school built to serve the needs of the timber getters.
“Mr Powell was the teacher, succeeded by Mr Kable.
“The old school building was near the site where the school residence now stands.
“The teacher drove from Kendall each day by horse and sulky.
“Discipline was strict but I can only recall one caning (punishment was standing in a corner facing the wall).
“All pupils left school at 14 years of age.
“The nearest high school was at Taree and as all parents were farmers or timber getters money was scarce so they could not afford train fares.”