Kentucky Public School, one of the oldest primary schools in New England, is holding its 150th birthday bash on Saturday.
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“It takes good staff, good parents, and a good community to make a great small school,” principal Danny Spillane said. “We’re pretty lucky out here. We’ve got all three!”
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A funfair will run from 10am to 4pm, with school tours, a catch-up with old friends, performances by the marimba ensemble, a jumping castle, face-painting, and a cowpat lottery.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall will unveil a plaque at the official opening at 2pm.
Two hundred people will attend a special dinner at the Kentucky Memorial Hall at 6pm, with a slide show of ‘Kentucky Memories’.
Many families have sent their kids to the school for generations – such as the Wards, related to the infamous “Captain Thunderbolt”.
More respectably, they number two school secretaries, and the PM&C president.
The 43 students at the school keep busy. Several performed at the Sydney Opera House on Monday as part of the State Small Schools Marimba Ensemble based at Kentucky Public.
They also work hard growing fruit and vegetables in their kitchen garden, set up eight years ago with $5000 from the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
Parents, Mr Spillane said, jumped at the innovations, and have been really enthused about coming onboard to help.
“As a principal,” he said, “I love working here, because of the great kids, the great staff, and the great parents. Onwards and upwards, and more of the same!”