Community & Business
21 April, 2021
125 years of enriching young minds
AFTER being founded in 1895, Tolga State School (TSS) has lived through two world wars and now two global pandemics all before its 125th birthday this Saturday.
AFTER being founded in 1895, Tolga State School (TSS) has lived through two world wars and now two global pandemics all before its 125th birthday this Saturday.
Originally the 125-year celebration was due to be held last year but was postponed as the celebrations could not be held due to COVID.
Tolga has been situated in an area rife with industrial and agricultural developments from a bustling railway town in the late 80s and early 90s to the construction of the Tinaroo Dam, all driving economic and population growth.
The school has developed and grown with the rest of the world and its surroundings, going from a one building school with around 30 students to a multi building school with 10 times the number of students.
Kayleen Wright has been the principal at TSS for over eight years and is currently in her ninth, she has seen the school progress into the modern age firsthand.
“The school has progressed enormously over the years going from chalkboards and long desks to single desks and electronic whiteboards,” she said.
“Last year when we were in the middle of COVID the school went highly technical, and we were able to offer lessons at home through a variety of means, old school and new school.
“Tolga has shrunk over the years but at the moment it is growing and expanding.”
A deep sense of community and camaraderie often accompanies small town schools and businesses and the TSS is no exception with them currently teaching the fourth generation of some local families.
The oldest building in the school is the administration block which is suspected to have been constructed in the early years of the school’s lifespan, since then it has undergone many renovations, but the stories and history still lingers in its foundations.
TSS is inviting all past students, teachers and community members to join them in a celebration of their 125 years of education with a special celebration and country fate this Saturday, April 24, from 9am
