Principal's Message
WARRNAMBOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL’S 150TH CELEBRATIONS ARE IN FULL SWING!
What an exciting week it has been as we celebrate 150 years of Warrnambool Primary School! The celebrations are well underway, and we are looking forward to a fantastic couple of days as we build towards the grand finale of our 150th anniversary.
Today, students and staff stepped back in time with our 1800s dress-up day, bringing a little piece of our school’s rich history to life. It was a wonderful sight!
Students have also participated in a school-wide treasure hunt and Guess the Faces activity, in addition to time capsules and old-time sports.
The celebrations will culminate tomorrow, with our special anniversary assembly and Open School Day, welcoming past students, former staff, families and community members back to Jamo. My advice is to arrive early, as seating for the assembly is limited. Please allow up to an hour for the assembly, which will feature our special guests, stories, memories and celebrations of this wonderful school.
There will be plenty to see and do throughout the day, including:
- Vintage car displays
- Student performances
- A free barbecue
- Fairy floss and popcorn
- Coffee, tea and scones
The Open School will undoubtedly be a highlight, providing a wonderful opportunity to wander through our historic buildings, explore displays of photographs and memorabilia, share memories and reflect on the many generations of students and staff who have made Warrnambool Primary School what it is today. I am particularly looking forward to catching up with former colleagues, past students and members of our wider community. These celebrations are about more than marking a significant milestone; they are about recognising the people, friendships, stories and experiences that have shaped our school over the past 150 years.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this special occasion possible. We are incredibly proud of our history and excited about the future of Warrnambool Primary School.
Happy 150th birthday, Jamo! I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Saturday as we celebrate this remarkable milestone together.
WE’RE BACK IN OUR HISTORIC MAIN BUILDING!
After 17 months, we are delighted to be back in our magnificent 150-year-old main building, just in time for our 150th anniversary celebrations!
The extensive refurbishment has been a massive project, with the completion of the roof works and drainage, followed by a complete interior refresh, including painting, new carpets and furnishings. The result is a beautifully restored building that is ready to welcome our students, staff and visitors for many years to come.
As part of the same project, our library has also undergone significant improvements, including roofing, drainage and interior refurbishment. These works have made a wonderful difference to our learning spaces and the overall presentation of our historic school.
I would like to sincerely thank our staff and students for their patience, flexibility and cooperation throughout this lengthy process. Working around major building works is never easy, and everyone has had to adapt, assist with repairs and make use of alternative accommodation while the project progressed. Their willingness to work together has been greatly appreciated.
I must also acknowledge the persistence and dedication of our staff, particularly Sharyn Fary and Danielle Toone, who have worked alongside me throughout this complex undertaking. Coordinating the many contractors, designers, engineers and other professionals involved has required considerable time, communication and perseverance. Their support has been invaluable in helping us bring this project to completion.
With our 150th anniversary celebrations taking place this week, the timing of our return could not be better. I am particularly looking forward to showing former colleagues, past students and community members through the refurbished building during Saturday’s Open School Day. It will be a wonderful opportunity to share memories, reflect on the school’s history and showcase the improvements made to our much-loved Jamo.
Our main building has stood as a significant part of Warrnambool Primary School since the 19th century, and it is wonderful to see it restored and ready for the next chapter of its history.
A special building, a proud history and an exciting future — welcome back to Jamo!
Have a great weekend and we hope to see you tomorrow at our 150 Year celebrations.
Peter Lee
Principal