BULAHDELAH Central School (BCS) is celebrating its sesquicentenary this year, marking 150 years of public education in the area.

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To commemorate the significant milestone, the school’s history will be highlighted in the lead up to a special two-day celebration to be held on 22 and 23 September.

Relieving Principal Mrs Deb Gilbert said past and present staff, students and community members have been sending in photographs and memories of the earlier years, which are being shared on the school’s Facebook page.

“It is heartwarming to see the family generations in the school photographs, confirming our family orientated school community,” she said.

Records show 30 pupils, accounting for a third of the total population of the Bulahdelah district, were enrolled at the one-teacher school when it opened in 1868.

Today, more than 400 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 fill the classrooms and specialist learning areas under the guidance of dozens of teachers.

Although classrooms and teaching methods have changed considerably since the school first opened its doors, Mrs Gilbert said BCS remains an important part of the community.

“It is interesting to see how much our school environment, the teaching and learning and the technology has evolved during this time,” she said.

“Most of the blackboards and then whiteboards have now been replaced with interactive screens, rooms are air conditioned and we deliver flexible educational pathways.”

A small but dedicated planning team are organising a host of activities to commemorate the anniversary including a street parade, open school, commemorative garden and a celebratory dinner.

Mrs Gilbert hopes you will save the date and join the Bulahdelah community to acknowledge this significant milestone in the school’s history.

“I am looking forward to the celebrations to reunite with many familiar faces and share our special memories of our time at BCS,” she said.