(This letter was given to the 40 years celebration committee in 1997.)
"IN REVIEW"
The First Years - Reminiscences of an original
Epping Heights Student. Students of 1957.
Epping Heights has always been a community based school, that has continued throughout it's 40 year history with strong staff, child and parental interaction. I was one of the original `56' starters - when the school opened in 3rd term 1956 with three teachers in what is now the Administration building. The present Staff Room was the senior class area - for grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 (composite).

We wore no uniforms until 1957, when the mothers held a meeting to decide on colour and style. Grey and yellow were considered `happy colours' my mother tells me - opposed at the time to the drab blues/greys. The motto, "Everyone a Helper" and badge did not come until 1962 with the 2nd Headmaster, Mr Ridley. There were no fences, and play went down to the banned areas of the creek. In retrospect, the bush land setting provided an imaginative and stimulating play place. `Nature Study' meant rambles along the creek, returning to classes for follow-up. Often painting was out of doors.
Things looked up by 1957 with the official opening of the school on October 11th. An active P& C brought forward many fund raisers, and successfully lobbied for an `extra' teacher - teacher No. 4.
In 1960 sport became the big focus. "Houses" for sport were developed (called Brown, Tolhurst, Pearson and Mackenzie after earlier P & C luminaries). Each girl wore a yellow gym tunic (modelled on Cheltenham Girls High) boys wore yellow T-shirts, and all wore bands over the shoulders in Red, Blue, Green and Gold.
As the 'new-comer' to the district, Epping Heights children led the Grand Parade at the District Sports Carnival at Pennant Hills Oval. The motto `How we played the game' rather than `winning at all costs' was
encouraged. Parent/ teacher fund raising provided the school with the then`up to date' library books, sewing; machines, a piano, and even a TV in late 1963.
The happy atmosphere of Sydney in the fifties was reflected at Epping Heights. From 1961 grade 3 and higher all went on the annual excursion - a harbour cruise - sponsored by parental fund raising at the yearly barbecue/ film night. Other early fund raisers were a television night in 1957, when children sat in one room parents in another, all clutching home packed sandwiches costing 1/- for children and 2/- for; adults, to see the wonder of TV. That event helped finance the first piano.
I was lucky - because we had 28 in my class - 21 girls and 7 boys, and we managed to avoid the composite class. In 1962, my 6th grade year, Epping Heights was no longer classified as a "small school", and 6th class did not have to sit the High School entrance exam.
I look back on my years, at Epping Heights, as character forming, giving children a carefree; environment small enough for healthy individual attention. This philosophy has continued, I know, not only were children involved, but whole families were involved.

Best wishes for your future, Epping Heights.

With the greatest of pleasure,
Jennifer Brown-Terry
Student (1956-1962)    >Back to History