By Callum Ludwig
Another Upper Yarra primary school community has come together to celebrate a historic milestone.
Yarra Junction Primary School turned 130 years old in 2024 and a ‘Country Fair’ event was held on Sunday 1 December to mark the occasion.
Yarra Junction Primary School Principal Lisa Rankin said it was a wonderful day of celebration and connection with past and present staff, students and community members welcomed.
“Acknowledging this special occasion gave us the opportunity to celebrate the Yarra Junction community, and the wonderful learning and opportunities that Yarra Junction Primary has provided over many years,” she said.
“We are so proud of our school and our school’s importance to the Yarra Valley community, celebrating our school’s birthday every five years has been a tradition, since I became Principal of YJPS in 2018,”
“Schools are such a special hub of a community, as they provide a meeting place, we always welcome back our students and staff to visit and share in the development of our school.”
School Captains Maddy and Jackson delivered the birthday cake to the main stage with the help of school council president Jess Newell, whilst the crowd sang Happy Birthday to YJPS.
Local politicians, Eildon MP Cindy McLeish and Casey MP Aaron Violi also visited the school to give an address and both enjoyed some spending at the student-led stalls too.
Ms Rankin said she could not be prouder of their school community for the support they gave to the school to ensure the school grounds were looking their best.
“I am also immensely proud of our students and staff, our students performed dance routines, skits, played instruments and sang on the main stage and we also were fortunate to have Ms Gee Page, a classroom teacher, also sing throughout the day,” she said.
“Our Grade 5/6 students have been working both in class and as home tasks to create a market day stall throughout all of Term Four, and today their planning, budgeting, marketing and preparations came to fruition as they ran their market stalls in our school stadium.”
Yarra Junction Primary School holds a celebration of the school’s anniversary every five years.
Ms Rankin said to acknowledge the history of the school, the school library was turned into a memorabilia display that included photos from over the past 130 years.
“The library was a thoroughfare all day, with adults and children enjoying viewing both photos from the past and present,” she said.
“During our 130th Birthday event, our school buildings were open so that past students, staff and families could wander through and view our engaging indoor and outdoor learning spaces,”
“Thanks to everyone who supported our school’s birthday by helping and attending the event, what a wonderful and joyful celebration and Happy Birthday to Yarra Junction Primary School.”
