Four generations of the Wilson family were at the public school to see young Huey off to Kindergarten.
A school opened in the late 1800s has given a special welcome to the latest member of a family that has been attending it for six generations.
Members of the Wilson and Jarrett family have been enrolling in Kangaroo Valley Public School on New South Wales’ south coast since it opened in 1884.
Young Huey this week followed in their footsteps and joined his oldest brother, Hunter, at the school.
Father Mitchell Wilson said it was “overwhelming” to be back at the school with his entire family.
“I didn’t even realise we had six generations come through here”, Mr Wilson said. “Grandma only mentioned that yesterday, so that was pretty exciting to find out.”
Mitchell Wilson walked Huey to Kangaroo Valley Public School for his son’s first day.(ABC News: Jessica Clifford)none
The families’ attendance started with Thomas Jarrett, who was born in 1867 and whose family believes he was among the school’s first students.
History repeating
Huey’s great grandmother Val Wilson was there to support him this week, and remembered starting at the school with her twin sister in 1946.
“It was just great. Everyone was friends”, she said. “It was such a small community and just really happy times.”
Ms Wilson was also employed as the cleaner at the school while her son, Peter Wilson, attended.
Heart of the community
The school is about 152 years old and has 82 students — about the same number as when it first opened in 1884.
It was one of the first buildings in the township, along with the post office.
Huey’s grandfather Peter Wilson said the school had always been the heart and soul of the town. “It’s the main part of the community I guess”, he said. “It brings everyone together. Kangaroo Valley is a small community and the school is a central part of it.”
Acting principal Jen Arnott said the number of students did not change much from year to year because everybody in town wanted to send their children there.
“Everyone wants to be able to come to our school and stay local”, she said. “We’re really lucky to be part of this community.”
This is a transcript of an item broadcast by ABC TV News on 1 February 2023.
