A Century of Memories

A few weeks back at Essendon North Primary School, we were delighted to receive a message from Gary, nephew of former students Betty and Les, and son of their late brother Archie. Betty Eller (nee Lear), Leslie Lear and Archie Lear attended ENPS during the 1920s - 1930s! For a school that proudly marked its 100th birthday in 2020 (though our celebrations were during lockdown), hearing from a family so connected to ENPS' earliest years was an absolute a gift.

When Gary reached out to us, we were thrilled to learn that his aunt Betty, now 105 years old and very spritely, continues to speak glowingly of her days at ENPS. She loves reminiscing about the memories made during her time at our school. Betty attended ENPS a century ago (from around 1925 to 1930) and although she no longer lives locally, her loyalty to the Essendon Bombers remains strong!

Betty's younger brother Leslie, aged 96, attended ENPS in the mid to late-1930s. Les is of great health in body and mind, also enjoys sharing recollections of his school days, and proudly continues the family tradition of supporting the Bombers.

Their brother Archie (younger than Betty, but older than Les) also attended ENPS, around 1929 - 1934. He later bravely served in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. Sadly, Archie passed away at 81 years of age in 2005 from Mesothelioma, an illness linked to his wartime service. The photograph below of Archie in his Navy uniform was taken in 1942 when he was just 18 - not many years after leaving ENPS, and far too young to be heading into war, though he enlisted by choice and was not conscripted.

We sincerely thank Gary for getting in touch and for also sharing these wonderful recent photos of Betty and Les, proudly holding copies of our school’s 75th Anniversary Yearbook and our Flavours of ENPS Cookbook. (Shoutout out to Emma in the school office for organising this special delivery!)

In a marvellous twist of timing, our Year Two cohort's recent second Unit of Inquiry was 'Our Community Through Time'. When these students were shown photographs of Betty, Les and Archie, they were incredibly excited to see real people who had attended ENPS during the same era as the historical school images they'd been exploring. Once they heard that Betty and Les were happy to share their memories, they eagerly prepared interview questions to discover what school life was like back then (there were also numerous requests for Betty and Les to attend as guest speakers)! This opportunity to connect generations of ENPS was truly magical.

We extend our warmest thanks to Betty and Les for sharing their memories and their enduring connection to ENPS. Their correspondence has enriched our community, reinforcing our learner attributes of reflective, curious, communicators, and shown how powerful it is when generations stay connected through shared history.

Please enjoy Year Two's very special interview with Betty and Les below!

Year Two Students Ask Betty and Les… What Was ENPS Like Back Then?

How did you know it was time for lunch, or the end of recess?

Betty & Les: The teacher would advise.

Where was your favourite place to play?

Betty: In the play area at the bottom (back) of school.

Les: Within the school grounds.

What kind of games did kids play at lunchtime?

Betty: Girls played skippy (skipping with a rope), rounders and spinning tops.

Les: Boys played football, cricket, marbles and spinning tops.

How quickly would the ink in the inkwell run out?

Betty: Not often, as it would be filled every day.

Les: Not often, as it would be filled every day, and my job to wash out the holders every Friday before going home.

What was your favourite subject?

Betty: Arithmetic (Maths).

Les: Drawing and Arts.

We have sessions like phonics, literacy skills, text study, maths inquiry, science, and wellbeing. What kind of sessions did you have?

Betty & Les: Just the normal grades like Arithmetic, English and Social Studies. No special sessions.

What did you wear to school?

Betty & Les: Civilian clothes, there was no uniform.

How did you get to school?

Betty & Les: We walked, it was not that far.

How many kids were in the school?

Betty & Les: We don’t know numbers, but school went from Prep (Preparatory), called “Bubs” back then, plus Years One to Six, called “Grades One to Six” back then.

How did you cool down on a hot day if there weren’t air conditioners?

Betty & Les: We opened classroom doors and windows, there was no air conditioning.

Was there a canteen or cafeteria?

Betty & Les: No, there was no canteen or cafeteria.

Who was the Principal?

Betty: I think it was something like Mr Cadwalader?

Les: I can’t really remember. It was a male, maybe Mr Chambers?

Was there a newsletter?

Betty & Les: No newsletter.

Did you have assembly?

Betty & Les: Yes, every Monday morning.

Was there a playground?

Betty & Les: There was no playground equipment, just open playing areas.

What sports equipment did you have?

Betty & Les: No sports equipment, students would bring their own to play with other students.

Did you have specialist subjects like Mandarin, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sport, Health & Wellbeing?

Betty & Les: There were no specialist subjects, only sports within the school which was tunnel ball, and there was no inter-school sports.

What did the school look like?

Les: A “U” shaped brick building with bitumen area, big flag pole and a shelter shed at the back.

Who was your best friend?

Betty: No one in particular, everyone played together.

Les: Les Cousins and “Nuts” MacKinnon.

Did you get to have a fire in your classroom in winter? Could you toast marshmallows on it?

Betty & Les: There was an open fire place in all classrooms burning wood. Could have toasted marshmallows on it but we didn’t.

Who was your favourite teacher? Why did you like them?

Betty: I didn’t like the teachers much but I remember Miss Date, who was very mean and nasty.

Les: Mrs Oliver from 4th grade. She was always kind, happy and supportive.

Thank you Betty and Les for answering our questions, they were nice answers. We were surprised that the teachers got to decide when play was starting and ending. We loved learning about the history of our school. 

– Xavi and Fletcher (Year Two students)