Jervois Primary School calls out for old photos ahead of centenary celebration

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Jervois Primary School is asking all past students and staff for old photos from their schooling or teaching days as it prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Finance officer Jo Flett said the school planned to create a book filled with pictures from over the years.

“At the back of the book there will be a list of names of all the students and staff that have been at Jervois,” she said.

“We’re also hoping to gather old stories from past scholars, which we will hang up with the photos to decorate the hall.”

The photos will also be displayed on a new decorative cow, to be placed in the school yard near a newly shaded area that will soon have commemorative pavers.

Administration officer Michelle Afford said the school had wanted to put something in the school yard that celebrated the centenary.

The book and pavers will be available for purchase around the time of the centennial celebrations, which will take place over the October long weekend, starting with an open day on the Friday.

It will be in the theme of an old-style school day, with a variety of old school games and crafts on offer for students and the wider community.

“We’ll unearth the time capsule from (2000), and then replace it with a new one,” Ms Afford said.

The Saturday will be a reunion at the school and the hall for past scholars, staff and families that were involved with the school over the years; and centenary gates will be unveiled, connecting the hall with the school.

This will be followed by drinks and nibbles at the local sporting club for those who still want to catch up.

In the town over, Wellington will hold their annual Strawberry Fair on the Sunday, which Ms Afford said will be a great way to end the weekend.

“It’s all about the community supporting each other, and helping each other be successful,” she said.

For those that will not be able to attend the festivities, JPS students will create virtual tours of the school.

Ms Flett and Ms Afford said it would be good for the students to hear how the old scholars talk about the school.

“Around 75 per cent of our students come from Murray Bridge, so their social circles are not here,” Ms Flett said.

“The school used to be the hub of the community, now it is purely a place for education.

“For the people that grew up here, when they visit the school, it’s feels like they’re coming home.”

Some notable old scholars from Jervois Primary include former AFL player Grant Tanner, singer Vanessa Shirley and Murray Bridge Deputy Mayor Wayne Thorley.

Leading up to the centenary celebrations, lessons will have a particular focus on the school’s history.

“We wanted to put that in the curriculum to instill in the kids why it is important,” Ms Afford said.

• Share your Jervois Primary School photos or stories: Email Michelle Afford at dl.0194.info@schools.sa.edu.au or join the Facebook group “Jervois PS centenary”.

Correction: This post has been updated to reflect the fact, discovered by staff at the school since publication, that the time capsule was buried in 2000, not 1992.

Clarification: The reunion will take place at both the school and the hall, not just the hall.

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