Life begins at 40 for Baler school

Students and staff members will mark four decades since Baler Primary School first opened its doors to students on Tuesday, June 9.

Over 40 years, thousands of children have spent countless hours in its classrooms and grounds learning the necessities of a basic education.

One thing that has definitely changed is the school uniform, from a yellow-and-brown colour scheme to the blue and black of today.

For South Hedland resident Milly Boyington, there was no question where her four-year-old son Archer would attend kindergarten and primary school.

Attending Baler is something of a family tradition because the majority of Miss Boyington's family have received their primary education within its grounds.

As a four-year-old, Miss Boyington first started at Baler kindergarten in 1984 when it was located on what is now Shay Gap Park.

She completed Year 7 at the school's current site in 1992, and back then there weren't any of the transportable buildings around.

Miss Boyington said she was "rapt" that Archer now attended the same primary school as she had.

Recounting the first time she took Archer to orientation at the school, she said she was surprised to find a specific tree still standing.

"When I first took Archer in … it spun me out that a big tree that all the kids at the school used to go and play marble around every recess and lunchtime is still standing to this day," Miss Boyington said.

Students and staff at Baler Primary School will celebrate the 40th anniversary next month.

There are a number of events and activities planned during the week of June 9.

Earlier this week, the whole school gathered on the school oval in their blue school shirts to have a photo taken in the shape of a 40.