Fifty years of delivering public education will be celebrated in style this month when Kirrawee High School blows out its birthday candles.
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The school opened its gates in February 1966 – at the same time that Australia’s currency changed.
Students came from Gymea Bay, Sutherland and Kirrawee, and bonded quickly, developing life-long friendships.
The establishment of a school at south Kirrawee was first suggested by residents and the Kirrawee Progress Association.
Chaired by pharmacist Warwick Wilkinson, the association was proactive in establishing the residential area around the school with paved roads and trees along the streets in the early 1960s.
A group of the class of ‘66 recently reunited at the school for a tour of the modern facilities, where they reminisced about inter-school exchange sporting programs and cultural visits.
There are more than 1200 students enrolled at the school this year.
Known as a comprehensive languages school since the 1990s, the school has also delivered vibrant programs in sport and creative and performing arts.
To mark the anniversary, the school stage band will perform a concert with musician James Morrison and his Generations in Jazz band on September 14 in the school hall.
The Australian jazz virtuoso has performed at the school with students for more than two decades.
In 1994 at the school’s inaugural Morrison concert, he brought former year 11 student Emma Pask out of the audience to sing with the band – and it launched her career.
Staff, students and parents will celebrate their 50 year anniversary from 10am-3pm on Saturday, September 17.
There will be an Aboriginal smoking ceremony at 10.30am, live music, historical displays and recent 2016 Helpmann Award winner Bella Thomas will perform on the day.
