By DAVID SCHOUT
IN 1912, school drop-offs and pick-ups were more likely to have been horse-drawn rather than horse-powered; ‘apple’ was a lunchtime food rather than the brand on every child’s Christmas list; and children with peanut allergies were in the minority.
Since then, school life has experienced huge generational changes, but one Dandenong institution has stood the test of time.
St Mary’s Primary School has spent the year celebrating its centenary, concluding late last month with a Mass.
The Catholic school, which started in 1912, marked the milestone by launching a centenary book titled Building a Community.
Principal Greg White said the school pioneers would have been proud.
“I feel privileged to have played a part in a school like this,” he said.
“I’m humbled and thankful of all that’s gone before me, and look forward to the next hundred years.”
Mr White said that over the years, the school community had become closest when it rallied together in the hard times.
Today, the school has 270 pupils that come from 40 nationalities.
