Past Students

MURRUMBEENA PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE 1940s

On Monday 16 May 2022, we had a visit from two brothers who are ex-students of Murrumbeena Primary School ( known then as Murrumbeena State School) from 1940 to 1949. 

Norman McDonald drove from N.S.W. to meet up with his brother, Graeme, from Glen Waverley, so they could both visit our school.  Both Norman and Graeme had a tour of the school and retold many happy memories of their time here at MPS.

They told us that back in the 1940’s:

• Students had to practise Air Raid Evacuation Drills in the trenches that were around the perimeter of the school. 
• That the swimming pool was an outdoor pool and rain, hail or shine, swimming was held. 
• The quadrangle that they had their assemblies held in was now our library and the hallways, both upstairs and downstairs in the main building were open verandas. 
• They also said their mother attended MPS in 1917 when the school first opened.  Her 7th grade classroom was in the tower above the office area. 

Both brothers enjoyed looking through a box of memorabilia from the 40’s and speaking to Mrs. Jeanette Baker – who had relatives attend the school with the brothers.  Mrs. Baker’s mother, Anne, went to school with Norman and Mrs. Baker’s Uncle John went to school with Graeme. 

Both men had such a lovely time while here at the school and Norman’s parting words were ….

“I’m very proud to say I am an ex-student of Murrumbeena State School.  You must have a lovely, caring Principal as the feel of the school is very friendly and welcoming”

Norman donated lovely books to the library, one being his own Memoir called From Donholme to Nareen Terrace-  A Memoir by Norman McDonald.  He has personally signed the book  … Presented to Murrumbeena State School on the occasion of a visit to the school in 2022.  Beautiful memories – a school to be proud of.