PRIMARY SCHOOL’S
90
th
Birthday
ZEERUST PRIMARY SCHOOL’S
90
th
BIRTHDAY
Happy birthday to Zeerust Primary School Schools follow cycles — many, many cycles. There is the daily cycle of opening up, assembly, meet and greet and first classes. Then there are weekly and fortnightly cycles with Monday morning music and the visiting art van every other week. School council is required to meet twice each term and the teachers write school reports at the end of each semester. Then we come to annual events like athletics day, swimming week, school camp and the end-of-year concert. The school’s birthday is an annual event but many pass with little fanfare while others take on a particular consequence. A significant birthday for a school is its 50th, and Zeerust Primary School celebrated this milestone in 1978. The students, teachers and parents of that time might have expected that the next important birthday would be its centenary. However, 20 years later — under
2014 prep students Audrey Walker and Mia Ponting.
threat of closure during Jeff Kennett’s tenure as Victorian premier — the school community decided to celebrate its 70th birthday, as it might not make it to 100. So by accident, 20-year intervals between birthday celebrations became our tradition and another cycle was born. So here we are in 2018 and Zeerust Primary School has been teaching children for 90 years In some ways the schooling has not changed and in other ways there have been profound changes. For most of its life the school has had a small enrolment, and the head teacher of the day has always had a significant teaching load and a small staff. The children at Zeerust are vertically integrated, being taught both in multiage groups and all together. During my tenure some names have come back onto the roll over the generations — Dempster, Wisely, Willmott (Shreck), Strang and, more recently, Boschetti.
I taught Dale, Piper’s father, when I started here as head teacher in 2003. With the exercising of parent choice, Zeerust has changed from being just a local school to one that attracts families to it from places far and wide — including Shepparton itself. When I started we had farmers’ and share-milkers’ children and now our families do other work and don’t live on farms. Technology has made a big change to how students can learn and tell others about what they have learnt. All our students have their own laptop computer, however, I still make regular use of the blackboard — although I do take pictures of what’s on it with my phone. If we were to imagine the school as a person then we would say that 90 is a good age to have reached and even though the 100th is out of cycle, it is our challenge to reach this next goal. We are currently raising our profile with the wider community. Starting this term we have re-
A 1998 reunion of students enrolled from 1929 to 1939.
Zeerust Primary School principal Dr Peter Farrell.
introduced Monday morning playgroup, and this year the children are putting on performances at a number of local playgroups. The performing arts are a particular strength of the school. So happy birthday Zeerust Primary School, and may you have many more. By Dr Peter Farrell, Zeerust Primary School principal
Zeerust Primary School entrance in 1998.
SUZANNASHEEDMP
INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR SHEPPARTON DISTRICT
Happy 90th Birthday Zeerust Primary School Congratulations to all past and present staff, students and families on this impressive milestone. It is so important our young people have access to the best quality education and I will continue to advocate on your behalf for the schooling needs of our community. 03 5831 6944 03 5831 6836 suzanna.sheed@parliament.vic.gov.au www.suzannasheed.com.au Suzanna Sheed @SheedSuzanna Funded from Parliament’s Electorate Office and Communications budget. Authorised by: SUZANNA SHEED, 5 Vaughan Street, Shepparton. VIC 3630.
ZEERUST PRIMARY SCHOOL’S
90
th
BIRTHDAY
The life and times of Zeerust Primary School 1928
Originally destined to be called Cromer, on March 22 the area was officially named Zeerust after a settlement in South Africa. The school’s first head teacher was Lillian Trewin and of the original 22 students, the boys far outnumbered the girls. Benjamin Rahley became the first permanent head teacher in May.
1929
A hare shoot was held to raise money for the new school.
1933
The Zeerust Social Club was launched with the first meeting being held on November 1.
Tom and Stuart played a game of cricket using the fire shovel for a bat and in one glorious stroke the fire shovel flew through a window.
1931
Douglas Spowart had a second stint as head teacher with enrolments increasing to about 60 students.
1937
The polio epidemic hit Zeerust Primary School and because so many were stricken the students had to take up correspondence courses for some time.
1940
The school was painted khaki-brown to transom height.
1941
Ronald Saunders was head teacher for January and February. Meryl Fletcher (nee Roberts) became head teacher in the midst of World War II with 19 students. Extra school activities included teaching students to knit and knitted squares were turned into rugs, socks and helmet-liners to be sent overseas.
1942 Valda Thorn rode her trusty pony to school in the 1930s.
1961
Owing to a lack of interest and attendance the Social Club meetings were abandoned.
1939
Kathleen Kyne was head teacher in February and March before Lillian Trewin again took the top job.
1943
1965
Grades 3 to 6 in 1967.
1949
The first Zeerust Agricultural Show was organised.
1950
Douglas Spowart took on the job of head teacher with only two female students.
1951
John Isles became head teacher, staying in the role for six years.
1953
The school was closed for two days because floodwater made the roads impassable.
1954
1956
Ruth Dutro from Ball State College, Indiana in the United States, visited the school as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher.
1957
A mouse plague hit Zeerust and the students spent their recess digging out their holes.
Eleven snakes were found and killed during a cleaning of the grounds.
1932
1945
1958
A tree was planted at the school to commemorate Princess Elizabeth’s 21st birthday.
Trevor Oakley became head teacher before R. W. Dalgleish took over the role with 31 students.
Fords Shepparton Bus Service congratulates Zeerust Primary School on its 90th Birthday. The Ford Family would especially like to express their gratitude to the Zeerust School for not only using their bus service but for providing a great educational service to the area and for the care the school has shown towards the education of our children, Stephanie, Lucy and Alice and now Will. A great School – Worth the Drive. 19 Wheeler St, Shepparton VICN 3630
03 5821 3777
www.fordscoachtravel.com.au | E: fordsbus@fordsbus.com.au
John McInerney became head teacher, staying in the job for seven years. Grades 4 to 6 performed a Gilbert and Sullivan production at the Christmas break-up.
1969
Wendy Sidebottom (nee Robison) recalled the whole school crowding around the TV to watch Neil Armstrong become the first man to walk on the moon.
1970
Students enjoyed excursions to the Shepparton Butter Factory, art gallery, flour mill and Mooroopna Hospital.
1972
The teachers and students excelled themselves with the performance of HMS Pinafore.The Mothers’ Club made a new flag – it was gold with a purple Z.
1973
Terence Haines became head teacher. Zeerust participated in its first school camp, with students from Wunghnu and Bourchier St primary schools, at Caniambo.
Bruce Lloyd presented The students went to students with a new Deakin Reserve to see 1974 Queen Elizabeth and the flag in 1990. Murray Cornish caught a fish on the school’s Duke of Edinburgh. oval during a heavy flood.
Olive Ritchie became head teacher.
Lots of students at Zeerust Primary School went for their Qualifying Certificates.
Because of a rapid increase in enrolments a second classroom was added to the school. The Zeerust Mothers’ Club was formed.
1936
Teresa Swalwell was head teacher from May to August. Myrtle Ford became head teacher and would become deeply involved in the school’s history, writing a book for the golden jubilee.
1959
1960
The Dental Treatment and Health Inspection Authorities attended the school.
A holiday was granted for the Zeerust Picnic, which was held at Mailer’s Bend with the ladies competing in a sack race.
1930
The students visited the Dookie Agriculture College.
1934
1938
The first Zeerust Primary School students, Emily Dempster, Bob Watson, Beryl Montgomery (Longson) and Duncan McDougall in 1988.
1946
1975
Gillian Jamieson was head teacher from February until September when Helen Stewart (nee Bryden) took over.
1976
Terence Haines became head teacher for a second time during February to June with Mrs Keogh taking on the job June through to September before Gillian Jamieson saw out the rest of the school year in her second stint as head teacher.
ZEERUST PRIMARY SCHOOL’S
1977
Keith Burden became head teacher. The students went on a trip to the snow.
1978
Zeerust Primary School celebrated its golden jubilee on Monday, March 27 with a thanksgiving service, an official opening and unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the setting of a time capsule and a roll call of teachers and pupils. The surname Dempster had appeared on the attendance roll every year.
1979
The boys’ shelter shed was converted into an art room. The Zeerust CWA marked 50 years; the only original member, Alice Dempster, unveiled a bird bath at the school.
90
th
BIRTHDAY
1982
1984
Noel and Glenda Dempster donated a special plaque to the school in memory of William and Alice Dempster, whose children and grandchildren attended the school from 1928 to 1985. A student from each room was chosen to receive an academic and social award at the Christmas concert.
1986
Hans Abeling took on the role of head teacher for a one-year stint.
Students enrolled from 1990 to 1998 at the 70 year reunion.
1981
Ian Archbold begins a two-year stint as head teacher.
2005
The Parents and Friends Committee funded an end-of-year overnight excursion to Sovereign Hill for all students.
2006
Dean Clark took on the job of head teacher.
Jill McCormack became head teacher for one year. ‘The Shed’ was erected and opened by Myrtle Ford. It was used as a classroom in 1990 and 1991 before becoming a general multi-purpose room.
Zeerust Primary School gets a new head teacher in Sue Toll.
In a school first, Zeerust fielded a hockey team in an after-school competition.
1983
1985
1980
2004
Zeerust Primary School combined with Tallygaroopna Primary School to take 38 students, 13 parents and three teachers on a five-day trip to Canberra. The MARC Library Van began visiting the school once a fortnight.
1987 Roman Bilous became head teacher.
1988
Junior students Daryl Threlfall and Fiona Evans and senior students Katrine Mordan and Rebecca Lorains won the Zeerust Primary School Citizenship Awards.
1991 teachers and staff Roman Bilous, Guy Leader, Glenda Telford, Babara Dougherty and Robin Pettigrew.
1993
Peter Fraser took on Zeerust Primary School’s top job as head teacher. On the second day of term three the school was flooded, with the water level up to the steps of the main building. It took two weeks for the water to recede and a working bee to fix its wrath.
• General Plumbing & Maintenance
1992
Term one saw a change to class times. The cubby house was the newest building to be erected.
• Blocked Drains
1996
The 1993 flood extensively damaged the asphalt area and with a $17 600 grant the school was able to resurface the area and replace the front fence and gates.
2009
The school started working with the Song Room organisation and performed at Eastbank.
2010
Zeerust Primary School underwent a four-year review.
1998
A new school sign generously painted by Ashley Bicknell was erected at the front gate. The school celebrated its 70th anniversary on Saturday, October 24 with Bob Watson, the oldest student, and Ebonnie Chilton, the youngest student, cutting the cake.
2011
Students raised funds for Colbinabbin Primary School after a disaster.
2012
Zeerust Primary School was flooded-out, leaving the building looking like a floating houseboat. The students claimed an infamous win over the parents in T-ball.
2013
Student Tom Strang was selected for SEAL.
2014
Student Emily Schreck was a state finalist in discus and shotput. Mrs Telford was acting principal for term one.
1999
2000
Zeerust students went on an adventure to Rubicon Camp.
• Drain Camera
2001
Gerard Doyle
gvplumbing@bigpond.com
Earn and learn is eagerly anticipated each year. Lucy and Steph Ludlow ran a music store in 2015.
The Parents and Friends Committee funded an overnight excursion to Mornington Peninsula.
• Competitive & Reliable
0418 133 317
Zeerust celebrated the Melbourne Cup and Ashley brought along a pony.
The building of a new staffroom and office extension were completed in term one after receiving funding through the 1994 Rural Schools Redevelopment Program.
New head teacher Laurie Holland begins at Zeerust. On the way to an excursion to Dromkeen Booksellers, the bus got bogged after making Teacher Miss.M Conroy with grades Prep to 2 in 1967. a wrong turn into a private property called Drumkeen. The 30 1997 students tried but failed to push the bus out of Laerskool Zeerust — a school in South Africa — the mud, before deciding to set off on foot. sent a letter to Zeerust Primary School in hopes of strengthening their links. Glenda Telford began teaching at the school; her grandfather John ‘Jock’ Watson was one of the original settlers who requested a school be located at Zeerust.
2008
1995
1989
1991
Zeerust shared the small school category with Lemnos in the regional Shine Achievement Award. The school also hosted a fundraising ball on the oval.
The school raised $2000 at a craft fair held at the Congupna Hall which went towards the purchase of new playground equipment.
1990
90
2007
1994
When the new $5 coins were minted, Alwyn and Jenny Fletcher gave one to each student at Zeerust Primary School.
on celebrating
Zeerust received a Federal Government grant to build the new sheltered playground.
Zeerust’s current day students enjoy music classes.
Neighbours actress Kym Valentine visited the school.
The school earned a positive report card following its triennial review.
2015
2002
2017
The ‘mother of all storms’ nearly blew the school off the map.
2003
Dr Peter Farrell took on the role of head teacher. A working bee saw the creation of the school’s Glenys Wilmott Memorial Garden.
The school offered a well-patronised playgroup. Student Aden Schreck made it to regional athletics for discus.
2018
Student Cameron Blight was selected for SEAL.