Historic milestones for our schools

Historic milestones for our schools

05 October 2023

Events and initiatives Public school life

We are celebrating more than 100 years of public education at some of our schools in 2023.

Beverley District High School recently celebrated its 150-year milestone, while Wooroloo Primary School will mark its 120th year next month. Cowaramup Primary School are also celebrating their 100 year anniversary. 

Beverley District High School student with class artwork

To celebrate the milestone, Beverley District High School was open for former and current students to take a step back in time and enjoy photos, memorabilia and historical artefacts spanning over the last century and a half. 

Many of the students and staff enjoyed seeing reports and schoolwork samples from the time and commented on the high standards of handwriting.

A report booklet from former student Keith Murray from 1959 to 1965 showed how reporting in education has developed over 60 years. Keith’s grandchildren now attend the school.

 “The Beverley community is a very strong community which works very closely with the school,” Principal Adrian Lister told ABC Regional Mornings.

“It feels like we’re one big happy family.”

Meanwhile, at Wooroloo Primary School, the community is abuzz with excitement as they celebrate the last 120 years of education in the area. 

Archive image from Wooroloo Primary School faction carnival

Education Assistant Penelope Barker has been working at the school for 17 years and has seen the school go through numerous transformations.

“Throughout the years that I have worked here, I’ve been teaching in kindy and pre-primary across the year groups to Year 7s, gaining valued experience,” Ms Barker said. “It's been a very rewarding time.”

Current students have decorated birthday hats and, throughout the year, each student has completed an artwork representing their time at the school which will be on display during the celebrations.

Wooroloo Primary School is celebrating with a community event on Saturday 21 October from 10 am to 1 pm.

The P&C are organising displays of historical photos and memorabilia and have invited the local fire brigade, Wooroloo Prison Farm staff and local police. 

Students at Cowaramup Primary School

If you attended or taught at the school, or have another association with the school, you are welcome to attend the event.

Another celebration occurred in the southwest with Cowaramup Primary School reaching 100 years. The week-long celebrations started with sharing a cake which was over a metre long. The festivities also included bush dances, decorating birthday hats and ended with a colour run.