Beechwood Public School students went back to the future when they dug up a time capsule buried 25 years ago.
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It was part of the school's celebration of its 150th anniversary. 1994 school leaders, Hayley Armitage and Michael Ellis, who helped to bury the time capsule 25 years ago, took a trip down memory lane when they returned to dig it up.
"It makes us feel old, but probably not as old as some of our teachers," said Michael.
"It's an amazing school and it's great to be back."
Hayley said she was really proud to bring her daughter back to her old school where she spent a lot of happy years. She brought the school Parliament minutes from 25 years ago, and asked if the basketball courts were marked out. She was reassured that it had finally happened.
Aboriginal leaders Uncle Amos, Jamie and Steve Donovan performed a smoking ceremony with dancers from Wauchope Public School as part of the time capsule ceremony.
Students wore period costumes they had been preparing in class and at a special assembly, they played games from yesteryear.
Relieving principal, Tracey Bromfield said they were really excited to share all their hard work with their community of parents, friends and ex-pupils.
"Today in the school, we talk about the Beechwood way which is how we do things, how we treat people, how we get in and have a go, how we are fiercely competitive but fairness always wins, how we listen, how we sort out disagreements.
"It is how we accept differences, how we celebrate other people's success, respect our elders, cheer for our mates and pull together as a community and support each other, how we respect our teachers and have lots of fun at the same time," said Mrs Bromfield.
"Most importantly, the Beechwood way creates great citizens. It is not anything new. We have a monumental legacy which we are proud to continue," and she paid tribute to the principal, Maurice Cook, who couldn't be there.
The school Parliament's Prime Minister, Josh Cole and opposition leader, Maddie Scott led a special assembly, telling the audience about the history of the school along with highlights of Australian history over the past 150 years.
Assistant principal, Sam Small acknowledged students, teachers, support staff, education authorities, parents and P&C members, past, present and future.
The children demonstrated dancing and singing through the decades right up to the present day, to the delight of the packed hall.
Jamie Donovan designed a special Aboriginal shirt to commemorate the occasion. Emma Jeffery from the NSW Department of Education said school are the heart of the community, nurturing young people's hopes, dreams and aspirations.
"This little hidden gem - Beechwood Public School - welcomes everyone," she added, praising the school for its warm as well as its achievements as it goes from strength to strength. Mrs Jeffery presented the school with a certificate to mark its 150 years of service to the community.
The celebrations continue with a Heritage Funfair at the school on Saturday September 21. Starting at 10am, the funfair is open to the public and will be a great fun day.
There's something for everyone including a full day of live music, rides and jumping castles for the kids, market stalls, a reptile display, historic cars and the 'Hastings Co-op Colonial Café' serving Devonshire teas, classic Timbertown Pies and Saxby's Soft Drinks (with a scoop of ice cream if you're keen for a Lime Spider).
Wauchope Historical Society will also be on hand helping during the day dressed up in their vintage costumes to help with the heritage feel.
The celebrations conclude in the evening with a formal celebration dinner at the Wauchope Country Club, where the 150 Year Anniversary Cake will be cut and past Beechwood School students, teachers and community members will have an opportunity to sit and mingle and reminisce over their time at Beechwood Public.