90 years strong

By Bridget Cook
FROM 38 students to now boasting a school of 350 children, Hampton Park Primary School has come a long way since it opened 90 years ago.
To celebrate its development and more importantly the school’s 90th birthday this year, a number of festivities have been planned to mark the milestone occasion.
School principal Leonie King is encouraging past students, staff and friends of the school to attend the festivities at the main celebration on Wednesday 22 February.
“It will start with a whole school assembly, where we will sing happy birthday and have a great big birthday cake,” she said.
“The students will then be going out on the oval and play some school games that children in 1922 would have played, while guests will get a tour of the school and new building.”
Ms King said while she was relatively new to the school, she was privileged to be involved with a school that was proud of its history.
“There are lot of people at this school who are quite proud of the traditions that underpin the school,” she said.
Ms King said people who attended the event this month would be able to notice both old and new features of the school.
“We still have the original old school house, which is nice,” she said.
“People will be able to notice the huge change in technology over the years.
“There use to be blackboards now we have interactive whiteboards, data projectors and a computer room.
“We also have a new building with a library, two big open spaces, computer lab, six classrooms and two kitchen areas for students and staff to use.”
Ms King said the school’s growth over the years was made possible by the vision of the school’s original planners. “The original planners had great forethought of were they positioned the school,” she said.
“One thing I’ve noticed was when the sub division was originally made and land put aside for the school, they have allowed for the school to grow and have great open, play areas for the children.”
The school will also host a number of events throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary including a fair towards the end of the year.
For details about the school’s history and upcoming anniversary festivities, visit www.hpps.vic.edu.au.
People wishing to attend the first event on Wednesday 22 February, which will kick off at 11.30am, call the front office on 9799 1440 for catering purposes.