By Fran Read

REMEMBER THE days of the old school yard? The story of Orford School’s 150 years is a story of the determination of dedicated parents to provide an education for their children. The residents of Orford did not give up easily!

It’s hard to imagine now, but there was once a post office, two shops, a few cottages and a school all situated along the cliffs near the Prosser’s Bay sandstone quarry.

In the 1890s the school was moved to the main part of Orford as it is known today.

The 1919 school building was likened to a cow shed with no ventilation and whenever it rained water ran down the inside of the walls.

In the 1920s, Orford finally gained a brand-new schoolhouse but enrolments fell and the building was taken away.

Sometimes the school would be closed for a year or two. It only took the departure of one family to make a difference! Whooping cough, influenza and fruit-picking also impacted on numbers.

At the first Back to Orford School Day in 1999, hundreds gathered to celebrate.

As part of that celebration, a time capsule was buried, containing a piece of work from every student who attended the school at that time.

On Saturday 30 November at 3pm the time capsule will be dug up and the contents put on display.

There will be an assembly, fun activities, displays, entertainment, refreshments and opportunities to catch up with old friends. Current students will bury a new time capsule and the day will conclude with a disco for young and old.

Keep the day free for a celebration to remember! For more information email Fran Read at fread@southcom.com.au.