Birthday Patch party

THE Patch Primary School is notching up its 30th birthday and inviting parents and staff to join the celebrations.
The school started not with the Education Department, but through forward-thinking locals.
A small, committed community group formed in 1975 and over seven years planned and achieved their dream of building a community centre at The Patch including a primary school, preschool, childcare centre, room for daytime community use, and sports facilities.
They wanted to cater for working mothers and provide for all socio-economic levels.
The Patch School cost $750,000 to build, was designed to fit in with the natural environment, and officially opened on 3 February 1982.
The school has continued to value its environment and the school council chose two recently-added buildings because they complemented the original structure and grounds.
There were 106 students when the school started in 1982 with class sizes ranging from 25 to 28. There are now 295 pupils.
This year’s Grade 5 and 6 students are studying the history of the school and producing projects about it and the area.
The school’s first principal, Mac Craig, recently visited and spoke to students about its early days.
It’s had six principals since opening in 1982 – Mac Craig, John Granland, David Ross, Ian Simpson, Michael McClare and current principal Debra Herrmann.
The Patch Primary School warmly invites any ex-students, staff or parents to attend an afternoon tea on Monday 8 October from 1pm to 3pm.
There’ll be school tours, photo displays, presentations, a whole school assembly including a rendition of Happy Birthday, and an afternoon tea with old friends and colleagues.
The school will hold its annual Patch Valley Fair on Saturday 13 October from 10am to 3pm, featuring food, stalls, activities, musical performances and fun.