Blast from the past as school turns 120

By MARLENE MILLOTT

SASSAFRAS Primary School is celebrating its 120th anniversary with a special event this Sunday 16 November, from 10am to 2pm.
The celebrations will be in the style of a small fete, including a sausage sizzle, Devonshire tea, snow cones and choir performances.
The school’s history will be on show, with displays photos and memorabilia from each decade of the school’s existence. The trip down memory lane will allow past and present students to reflect on the resilience of the small school.
Principal Cathy Jones said that Sassafras Primary had excelled these 120 years because of its strong academic reputation and welcoming learning environment. Although the school was small, with only 60 pupils, it had a strong and supportive community.
“We are a fantastic community … our motto is ‘nurturing excellence’ and that’s what we are proud to do,” Ms Jones said.
Sassafras Primary School was first built in 1894 and located in an old shelter shed in the Sassafras valley. It was relocated twice due to poor facilities and was established on its current site in 1915. The original building for the current site is still in use.
Past students are encouraged to come along to the celebrations and be part of the school’s history. A birthday book including students stories from the past 120 years is being put together to commemorate the event.