HISTORIC Bellata Public School next week celebrates its 125th anniversary, and communities from across the north-west are invited to reconnect and reflect on the remarkable milestone.
Parent Zara Lowien said the school will open its doors to the public from midday on Friday, September 27 to celebrate 125 years of educational excellence.
“We are thrilled to invite past students, teachers, and parents to reconnect with our vibrant school community in the heart of the north-west and reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve shared over the years,” Mrs Lowien said.
The school will showcase open classrooms as well as displays and performances.
“Our classrooms will be filled with excitement and creativity, and feature a special student-prepared school history display highlighting our journey.
“We’ll have captivating performances from our local eisteddfod-winning whole school choir, as they showcase their repertoire. Plus, our talented senior class – Years 3-6 – has something special in store for all our guests,” she smiled.
A barbecue lunch will be followed by a commemorative cake-cutting ceremony to mark the significant event.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends, reminisce about cherished memories, and celebrate the bright future of Bellata Public School,” Mrs Lowien said.
The school was established in 1899 and has seen significant changes through the decades.
In 1909, Narrabri builder Alf Hulbert was awarded the contract to erect a teachers’ residence at the school.
In 1938, the NSW Education Department announced a new school would be built after an inspection the previous year by Narrabri Shire Council health inspector Gostwyck Hingston found the building unsuitable for educational purposes.
“It is erected low on the ground, the flooring on the northern and western end being below ground level,” Mr Hingston said.
“During rain, surface water flows under the building on the western and south-western end, thereby causing a pool.”
Mr Hingston told councillors the structure was generally in a state of disrepair.
“A number of the blocks have sunk, with the result that the flooring is uneven, and many of the boards broken and defective,” he said.
“In view of the circumstances, I would suggest the Council approach the Department of Education with a view to having a new school erected at Bellata,” he concluded.
The new building, costing approximately £2000, was of the “ultra-modern variety”, according to the Warialda Standard and Northern Districts’ Advertiser, and was constructed on piers 12-feet high.
“This is a great consideration in the hot summer months, bringing down the temperature and also allowing the children to seek shelter during wet periods.”
Today, the school captures students from the Bellata, Gurley and Edgeroi districts, with Bellata families having multiple generations attend over the years.
Zara Lowien’s husband, Grant, is a former student. He said having a school close to home was critical to the family.
“We are not sure if my grandmother attended the school or not, as the school records don’t go back that far but we know she moved to the district as a primary school-aged girl from Melbourne in the 1930s,” Mr Lowien said.
“It’s incredible to think our school has had a number of local families, like ours, have multiple generations attend and to consider the role it has played in shaping our community.
“When I look around town, most of the business people, farmers and volunteers that run our little town, are former Bellata School students.
“It was a special moment to walk our children through the same gates and offer them a unique and hands-on school experience, close to home, in our family’s footsteps,” Mr Lowien said.
Bellata Public School 125th birthday celebrations
When: Friday, September 27, 2024
Time: Midday until 3pm
Where: Bellata Public School (Gurley Street)
Words: Bill Poulos
Image: Supplied
