Bowning Public School is in preparations to celebrate its 175th anniversary next year, with a committee forming and commemorative pavers on sale this year ahead of celebrations throughout October 2024. Established in 1849, Bowning Public School is one of the oldest inland schools in the country, and one of the few to remain open as long as it has. While the celebration is still in early planning, an advisory committee is being formed to begin preparations, with members including Barry O’Mara, the general assistant at Bowning School, and current Principal Belinda Brown speaking with the Yass Valley Times about the school’s connection to the region, their personal relationships with the school and its history, and what to expect from the anniversary.
General Assistant Barry O’Mara gave a rundown of the school’s history and the preparations in place for the celebration. Currently serving as a researcher in the advisory committee, Barry tells of how Bowning School was one of the first twelve schools in New South Wales and, according to their records, the first inland New South Wales school. Barry summarised the school’s early history as;
“It came from humble beginnings…this is pretty substantial, it’s a big achievement, it may not happen again, so we’re doing it as much as a community event as a school event”.
Bowning School has made previous anniversary celebrations, such as on its 150th anniversary, with the same organising group behind it returning twenty-five years later.
Bowning school students Connie Harding and Archie O’Brian dig into playtime in the impressive sandpit at Bowning Public School. Photo credit Jasmin Jones
Bowning School is inviting the community to be a part of the celebration, since it stands as a historic monument and celebration for all of Bowning, with ex-staff members, principals and students returning for the event.
Former students and staff members, as well as community members involved with the school previously or to date, are invited to have their names added to pavements outside the staff area, to purchase a square with their names and details engraved, and to have their name forever associated with the school as a historic record. The paving additions are set to begin next week and start at $40 and anyone interested in learning more is invited to contact the school on 62 276 093 for further details.
Archives are currently open, including registers of attendees, with Principal Belinda Brown and Barry’O Mara hoping to find photos to accompany them.
On being a part of Bowning Public School and its community, Principal Belinda Brown commented;
“It’s a beautiful place and we have lots of fun – A school rich with history, it’s so exciting to connect with families who have been a part of this school for such a long time – the stories people are telling and connections they’re making is beautiful”
Belinda’s family also boasts an early and long connection with the school with ancestors who donated a quilt to the then Bowning Public School Principal’s family eight years after its opening, making the quilt an artefact of the school’s history. This quilt demonstrates how members of the school and the wider community are intertwined in their collective history, with Belinda commenting
“It’s why I chose this school”. The link below takes you to the PowerHouse Museum to learn more:
On display at the Powerhouse Museum Sydney – Medallion Quilt made by Amelia Brown & gifted to Margaret Swan – wife of Bowning School Principal William Swan from 1877-1880
Former Principal of Bowning School William Swann
Belinda shares a great love for the school and its history, in particular, its ability to offer more than a traditional educational space by virtue of its tight community spirit, smaller scale and personalised approach, commenting;
“I love the opportunities created by education, and I think Bowning deserves a school that celebrates its rich history and I love being a part of it. School goes beyond just education, and Bowning is a family — I think being able to know and value every student is really lovely, school isn’t just about surviving but thriving, so having children feel known and valued has been a really lovely part of the education at Bowning.”
The Times paid a visit to the classroom to see the small school spirit in action and spoke with students about their schooling and the upcoming celebration;
Bowning Public School turning 175 – Students Emlyn Hudson, Principal Belinda Brown and Bella Boulding. Photo credit Jasmin Jones
Year 4 student Bella Boulding is continuing a family tradition of attending Bowning Public School,
“I have two older siblings who went here before and my father has.”
Bella shared what she loves most about her village school,
“It’s not a really big school with teachers running everywhere, it’s a small school and a nice one and the teachers can stay in one spot with us for a longer time and they’re not rushing around.”
Bella’s favourite part of the day easily came to mind when asked,
“It would have to be art, drawing pictures of my family and cat.”
And like most students at the village school, the 175th celebration is news they are curious about
“I don’t know much about the celebration yet but I’m pretty sure I’ll be looking forward to it more when I hear more about it,” Bella confidently summed up.
The school currently has 22 students and can take enrollment from children from Bowning any time of year. Bowning’s Principal is also encouraging attendance at the local school by creating a Friday playgroup to link families with preschoolers from the area into the school community and build those important relationships which make schools the heart of any community.
Griffin Palen
