Schools
26 May, 2024
Fernvale State School celebrates 150-year anniversary
More than 2000 people flocked to Fernvale State School on Saturday May 11 as the school staged its 150-year anniversary event on a fine and sunny day.
In his 25th year as principal of the school, David Raine said the occasion was “a wonderful way to celebrate 150 years” while he was “absolutely overwhelmed with all the support and the positive feedback”.
Mr Raine was involved in the cake-cutting with the two eldest students who attended on the day, as well as the two youngest prep students.
The eldest was Joyce Barbara Jackwitz who turns 97 later this year, and the second eldest was 92-year-old Thora Smallwood.
A music performance also came from former Fernvale State School scholar Kodie Sloane, who has played at various places such as Tamworth during her career as a musician.
Vehicle displays, school tours, an ‘old’ classroom display, ‘old school teacher lessons’, historical displays, time capsules, photo memories and merchandise were among the attractions, with Mr Raine saying the colonial classroom “was a wonderful hit”.
State Member for Lockyer, Jim McDonald, said it was “an incredible privilege” to be at the event.
“Together we celebrated the proud history of this school, a pioneer in student education, starting back in 1874,” he said.
“Congratulations to the organisers of the event, you just needed to look around to see the work that had gone on behind the scenes.
“It was wonderful to see community members and families connected to the school come back and reminisce, absorb the history, and the impact Fernvale State School has had on the fabric of the community today.”
