Carnivals-Old and New 

A few years ago, we received an email from a former student, John Dean, and John has recently contacted us again after he read our last newsletter which included a carnival report.  

'My name is John Dean and I attended MPS from 1940 until 1946. (I am now 87.)

I’m just writing to say that I enjoy receiving/reading the newsletter each month as it keeps me up-to-date with activities at your school.

The mention of the MPS carnival brought back vivid memories of the Murrumbeena School fete as it was then called. 

My parents took an active interest in the school, my mother being a member of the Mothers’ Club and my father fulfilling an active role in its activities, especially on the day of the fete.

 Way back then, two popular features of the fete (set up in the quadrangle where the main hall is now located) were a large Merry-Go-Round and another feature which was called the Ocean Wave. 

The latter was manned by volunteer fathers who pushed around the circular structure to the enjoyment of the children who were seated on it. The only way I can think of describing this “ride” is a crude circular timber platform (not a disc but the circumference thereof , something like the hem of a crinoline), suspended from a central pole and being about 12 feet (4 metres), in diameter. As it was being pushed around, the men caused it to dip and rise, thus giving it the name of Ocean Wave!

I hope I haven’t bored you with these details Chellee, but I wanted share my pleasure and memories of being a student at MPS during those very worthwhile formative years of my life.

 Best regards to you in your role as principal of a great school."

  John 

*We thank John very much for contacting us and for recounting his wonderful memories of MPS.