Buninyong PS Newsletter

150 Celebrations

150 CELEBRATIONS

Just 3 sleeps until our 150 celebrations kick off on Friday.  We’ve achieved a great deal in the past week.  That has included:

  • The original school bell has been relocated and now should be in it’s final resting place, mounted proudly on the wall in the office foyer.  It’s now in a place where it can be appreciated by everyone and looks great. Thanks to the Community Bank for funding this project and to Chris Cvirn and Max Wood who mounted the bell over the weekend.           
  • A number of chosen photos have been printed off and framed. They look amazing and will be available for everyone to see on Friday and Saturday.  Once the 150 celebrations are completed, they will be hung on the walls as a constant reminder of the school’s proud history.
  • Other photos have been sorted properly and placed into photo albums, making it super easy for all who visit the memorabilia display to access a lots of photos that span the school’s 150-year history.
  • This might not be an achievement, but an archaeological dig was competed in the garden at the front of the old building, following a hot tip off on the possible location of one of our lost time capsules.  Alas, all that was found was an old can of Melbourne Bitter and coke bottle.
  • We’re just about set to go with Friday’s assembly. There are quite a few kids with roles and they’re all excited to be part of this important event.
  • Our 150 Anniversary book has arrived and is ready for people to look through and purchase.
  • We completed the last of the interviews of past students and staff.  Everyone will get an opportunity to view those when they are ready.
  • Classes have been busy making sure each student has the opportunity to contribute at least 1 item to the time capsule.  Our grade 5-6s have also been asked to prepare some final items representing pop-culture to go into the time capsule. These will be added at Friday’s assembly before Russel Williams and his helpers from the Men’s Shed ceremoniously screw the time capsule shut.

In terms of Friday and Saturday, there’s a lot going on and the following information is designed to help you understand what’s happening and how you can get involved.

Merchandise

Commemorative medallions- 

For sale at the school office until stocks last. If you have ordered medallions via Qkr, they will be delivered to your child’s classroom on Wednesday.

150th Book-

We have compiled a book containing a selection of photos from the school’s history titled, ‘An Unofficial History of Buninyong Primary School in Images 1873-2023’.   This book is available via Qkr and at the general office for $15.

September 1st

Dressing up-

We encourage all students to dress up in a decade of their choice from 1873 through until current day. Some year levels have specified which era that they would like students to dress up in, so please check with your child’s classroom teacher if you are unsure.

 

Assembly-

Friday will commence with a whole school assembly in the gym with special guest speakers, a performance from our school choir and a ceremonial locking of the time capsule. We anticipate that the assembly will commence at approximately 9:10 am and run for about 60 mins.

 

After assembly, we will gather on the basketball court area for a costume parade followed by a whole school photo which all visitors to assembly are also encouraged to be part of.

 

Open House-

Memorabilia will be on display in the original school building for our visitors and students to peruse. School tours will run throughout the day, starting from the original building.  Those looking for a tour just need ask anyone in a fluoro vest. Grade 6 students will be leading tours.

 

Morning and afternoon tea-

We will have morning and afternoon tea available throughout the day for our visitors. Thank you to the parents and carers who have already signed up to volunteer to set up, serve and clean up.  If you can assist with this, we would be very grateful- please add your name to the roster HERE.

 

We are also asking for donations of a plate of food from our families for this event.  If you are able to provide something, please send along your contribution next Friday morning, September 1st.  All food should be dropped to the kitchen in the administration building please.

 

Sausage Sizzle-For the 150-year Celebration Day on the 1st of September we are going to run our once a term sausage sizzle and donut day.  Orders have closed for students. There will be sausages available for purchase from the BBQ by visitors. Toffee Apples-We have partnered with Sovereign Hill to run a Toffee Apple Drive on the 150-year Celebration Day.  Orders have now closed.  Toffee apples can be picked up After School from the canteen on Friday.  We may even have a guest appearance from a confectioner from Sovereign Hill to help with the orders.

Shuttle Service and Parking

Easy Access to the School on September 1 - To assist with accessing the school and getting around, we have a few plans in place, which include:

  • Parking Close By - Elderly visitors will provided with priority parking. There are 2 options:
    • On the school grounds on the edge of the oval - Drive through the staff carpark and park on the edge of the school oval, which is nice and close to the gym.  This area will be roped off and Simon (our maintenance person) will be on hand to manage parking.
    • In the Bowling Club Carpark – A parking attendant will be at the entrance of the Bowling Club carpark to ensure this parking space is saved for those with mobility issues.
  • Shuttle Service - We’ll have a shuttle bus service running to and from the Buninyong football oval / recreation reserve in Forest St.   on the morning of September 1.  Visitors will easily get a park in that area and then wait for the bus to arrive.  This service will run between the 2 venues for as long is required on Friday.  When wanting to return to leave the school and return to your car at the football oval, simple wait at the bus lane in Simpson St.
  • Moving from the Gym to the Original Building - We will have a golf cart on hand to ferry guests up to the original building after the assembly.  Thanks again to the Burke family for allowing us to use their golf cart on the day.

Evening Event

All members of the school community are welcome to join us for a gathering in the Bowling Club commencing at 7pm on Friday evening. Plenty of tickets have been sold, so we know this will be a great night. There are a few last tickets remaining, so please contact the office if you would like to attend.

Saturday, September 2

For those that cannot make it on the Friday (or for those that would like a second catch up), there will be an opportunity to visit the school on the Saturday morning to catch up with old friends, look through the memorabilia and take a tour. Please meet at the main entrance of the original building from 10am. 

 

Tours will commence at 10 am and 12 pm. 

 

The canteen will be open from 9:30am to purchase a coffee or merchandise on this day.

 

We would encourage anyone wishing to continue their reunion with old friends to head to the Buninyong Botanic Gardens with a picnic to enjoy the afternoon after the tour.  Please note, if you wish to picnic in the gardens, this will not be a school organised event, but rather, an opportunity to catch up with others at your leisure.

 

We thank everyone for all your support and contributions to this special event and we look forward to catching up with many of you throughout the celebrations.