School set to celebrate 50th year
For Patsy Hackett, it feels like only yesterday she was sitting in the Rangeway Primary School library listening to her favourite cassettes.
Fast forward a few years and Mrs Hackett, now 43, is busily planning her old primary school’s 50th anniversary in August.
Mrs Hackett’s two children also attended the school and with her lifelong affiliation, it’s only fitting that she heads the celebrations committee for its five-decade commemoration.
But it’s not just a job for the former student, as digging up all her favourite memories seems to put a smile on her face.
“Planning the 50th year celebration is such a passion of mine because this truly is such a fantastic school, ” she said.
“I have some fantastic memories of coming here. I used to love being in the library and listening to the audio books with those big dorky headphones.
“I love thinking back to all the old memories I have here. I was one of the early ones at the school from years one to seven.”
It’s these happy memories that have left Mrs Hackett, who is also the P&C president, looking for others who might have some memorabilia from their own time at the school.
Although it’s still awhile away, Mrs Hackett is wasting no time organising the event and is on the hunt for photos, work, uniforms and anything for a display.
Mrs Hackett is encouraging people to dig through their old boxes.
“We’re after anything from old photos to any other memorabilia that shows what the school used to be like, ” she said.
“Even if former students want to get in contact with us and share their experiences of going to school here, we would love that.
“For families we’re also doing a wall to dedicate to teachers and students who have now passed away and we would love to remember them with a photo and a few words.
“It’s basically anything people think was an important part of being a part of this school community.”
The plans are to display the collection over a two-day celebration at the school on August 14 and 15.
Each classroom will host a different display, along with a celebration assembly and family fun day over the weekend.
Engraved memory pavers are also available for purchase and will be built into a memorial-type pathway.
Mrs Hackett said getting involved in the celebration in any form would be a great commemoration for the school.
“Fifty years of education is not just an achievement for the school, but for the whole community, ” she said.
“What has been achieved in Rangeway is so many generations of a community and that needs to be recognised.
“It’s 50 years of love, dedication and hard work people here have have put in to making this school so fantastic.”
If you wish to pass on any memorabilia to the school or want to find out more information, you can contact Mrs Hackett on 9921 1498.
You can also email Patsy-ann.Hackett@education.wa.ed.au to offer your help.
