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I congratulate all members of the Kapunda High School Community on the fantastic effort to plan and put together the weekend centenary celebrations. All of the people I spoke to were very positive and complimentary of the school community for the great organisation and planning that went into the event.
We started the celebration with all students and staff having a combined assembly at the Primary School where secondary education started in Kapunda in 1907. We heard the significance of that from Mr Paul McCarthy and all were treated to a piece of birthday cake, provided by the primary school mothers. A huge birthday cake, contributed by the Primary School, was then cut by our two head prefects Sam and Jacinta, and the two youngest members of the primary school, Paige and Bobby.
All of the primary and high school students then came back to our school for ‘old fashioned’ games, release of 100 balloons and a sausage sizzle. Our school then held a formal assembly where the second edition of Paul McCarthy’s book “Kidman’s Legacy – A History of Kapunda High School’ was launched by Mr David Fawcett MHR. The centenary DVD was also launched and we acknowledged the return of some VIP’s in the form of former students and a teacher. They were Mr Eli Hambour enrolled in 1921, Mr Jack Elmslie 1931 and his teacher Mrs Florence Fahlbusch who started in 1930, Mary McMahon 1935 and Mr Jim Bettison 1945. Students, in particular, marvelled at the fact that a former student who is soon to turn 102 had joined us in the audience!
Friday night’s concert performed by present and former students was an absolute highlight. We were treated to two hours of entertainment that I would challenge anyone, in any school, anywhere, to better. From the ensemble to the choir, soloists to concert band and finally super big band it was superb! It was a credit to our music staff and students both past and present.
Saturday’s street parade filled the street with happy people and colour. Whilst this was not only our doing it was `certainly a parade that celebrated the events of the weekend including the 150th Kapunda Show. They led the parade and we brought up the rear – acknowledging two significant anniversaries being celebrated in Kapunda.
Saturday night saw a healthy number in our gym reminiscing and telling tales of school days perhaps somewhat exaggerated but none the less enjoyed by all. Out of 14 Matthews family members who attended this school, 13 of them attended the Saturday night function.
Sunday’s garden party in the grounds of ‘Eringa’ was similar. The grounds were filled with the colour of marquees and many happy people catching up with people some of them they had not seen for some time. The sounds of happy conversation mixed with the delightful music of the concert band would have filled Messrs. Greenshields and Kidman with glee!
The assembly on Sunday afternoon was a mixture of reflecting on the past as well as looking forward to the future. We were presented with a centenary quilt by the Kapunda Quilters which captured much of the history of the place - a fantastic work that now hangs in our foyer. We were also reminded of an aspect of Australia’s history that as a nation we should not be proud. Mr David Fawcett, Member for Wakefield and Mr Max Binding, former student, reminded us of the way he and his fellow servicemen were treated on their return from the Vietnam War, and asked us to remember their contribution via a commemorative plaque which will hang proudly in our foyer. Messrs Kenneth Binding, Max Binding, Ken Dreschler, Bruce Hambour and Mr Michael Prior were all acknowledged on the plaque. We were made aware of the service also of Messrs Ross Pittman and Peter Sochaki and their names will be added in due course. We ask that people let us know of any others who served in Vietnam so that we may acknowledge them also.
Mr Barry Vogt as chairman launched the Kapunda High School Centenary Foundation Incorporated with an announcement that Mr Jim Bettison via the Bettison-James family trust has guaranteed to kick start the fund with $100,000 by June 2008 with and additional $50,000 per year over the next tree years, subject to certain terms, making a total of $250,000! The board believes that this is a great kick start and we are now looking for other firms and individuals to join the Foundation which, we believe, has been given great credibility as a result of the Bettison James donation. It is anticipated that a working fund of $450,000 could be achievable with the interest on capital funding future scholarships. What an exciting long term legacy of 100 years of secondary schooling in Kapunda!
Feedback from all was that the weekend went without a hitch. Many former students and staff commented most favourably on the organisation and running of the event and it is a credit to all students, staff, parents and helpers that it was so. Mrs Anne Hornsey kept us all on track and it was right and proper that her contribution to the event was acknowledged with a sheaf of flowers from the school community at Sunday’s assembly.
Everyone should be proud of such a fantastic event.
Yours sincerely,
David Hodge
(Principal)
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