16 Nov 2015
Friday 6th November was a special day at Taree Public School - our Sesquicentenary Celebrations began at 10am with a special assembly. Our special guests were Mr Peter Sheargold, Mr Stephen Bromhead MP, Mr Paul Hogan, Aunty Wilma and Aunty Isabel. Many former pupils and staff were also in attendance.
The assembly began with a 'Welcome to Country' performed by Aunty Wilma, flowed by a cleansing dance performed by the senior boys, assisted by Uncle Russell Saunders.
After a speech from Mr Bromhead the senior students performed the old School Song, followed by the school Pledge both of which are performed at all our school assemblies. We believe there was an earlier school song but we were unable to find a copy.
Following a speech by Mr Sheargold the Infants classes performed folk dances from the past - The Shoemakers Dance from 1913; The Farmer in the Dell from 1940's and Bluebird Bluebird in and out the Windows from the 1950's.
Following a speech from Mrs Clark, our Executive Principal, the Sesquicentenary Plaque was presented to the school, and a plaque honouring the service of Aunty Faith Saunders to Taree Public was presented to Uncle Russell Saunders by Geoff Dumas. Aunty Faith was the very first AEA (Aboriginal Education Assistant) at Taree Public School. She was a very well respected and inspirational gentle lady who supported all students. She paved the way for those who came after, in the role of Aboriginal Educators and acted as a role model for generations.
The culmination of the assembly was a performance by the senior ACMF music group. The signing group was followed by drumming which was a fitting conclusion to the formal part of our assembly.
Finally the Sesquicentenary Cake was cut by our former librarian Leila Brown from many, many years ago and our youngest student Milly Read.
After the assembly, visitors toured our newly renovated school and visited the displays before having lunch.