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Manly Village Public School Sesquicentenary
1858–2008
 This is a very exciting year for Manly Village Public School as we celebrate our 150th birthday (our sesquicentenary). We are proud to be the first public school to be opened on the Northern Beaches way back in 1858, at a time when Manly was a tourist destination for those living in the Sydney colony. To mark this very special occasion, a number of celebrations and events have been planned:
149th birthday party
Publication of Brave & Bold - copies now available!
Book launch
Swimming at Manly
Heritage week activities
Growing by the Sea historic exhibition
Classrooms of the past
Sesqui curriculum
Family fair day
150th birthday party
Art exhibition
Farmer Brown's community garden opening
Our 149th Birthday Party
Our school had much to celebrate last year when we celebrated 149 years of public education. The children sang happy birthday, played old fashioned playground games, enjoyed a piece of birthday cake, listened to our fantastic band, and watched an entertaining and informative presentation from Kim Gamble, the local and renowned children’s book illustrator. They also enjoyed seeing our mayor, Dr Peter McDonald, dressed in a Manly jersey and his mayoral chains. As always at our school, we had many parents helping us in a variety of ways.
We couldn’t wait to see the school logo designs the children created following Kim Gamble’s presentation and launch of the school sequi logo design competition.
Logo Competition
The winners of the school’s sesquicentenary logo competition were announced and presented with a framed certificate and prize at a special assembly held in November 2007. We were very privileged to have Kim Gamble, illustrator of the Tashi books, return to the school to present the certificates and prizes to the children. The winning logo was drawn by Alice in Year 2. Her outstanding design, as you can see, was presented within the number 150 and incorporated the Manly Norfolk Island Pine Tree, the school building, waves from the beach and a cheerful child’s face. Her drawing was complemented by the very appropriate words of Harrison in Year 2, “Manly Village Public School…..Growing by the sea”. We have been able to see the winning logo many times during our sesquicentenary year. It has been included on a variety of school letterhead, banners, signs, awards and certificates.
With over 100 quality entries, the panel of judges were pleased to be able to also award highly commended winners from each grade. These children also received a certificate and a book prize. The book was a drawing book which has been written and donated by Kim Gamble. The highly commended winners were as follows:
Kindy – Josh
Year 1 – Emily
Year 2 – Isabella
Year 3 – Andrew
Year 4 – Rebecca
Year 5 – Savanna
Year 6 – Igor
All children who participated also received a very attractive certificate which was specially designed by Kim Gamble. Congratulations go to all of the children and my appreciation is extended to the parents and teachers who also encouraged the children to participate in the competition. It is a wonderful indication of the positive feeling children and parents have of our fantastic school.
The winning logo will be used on official school letterhead and signage for the duration of our sesquicentenary year.
Brave and Bold:
A History of Manly Village Public School 1858 to 2008
A history of the school has been
compiled by well renowned author and historian Emeritus Professor John Ramsland, titled Brave and Bold:
A History of Manly Village Public School 1858 to 2008
Copies are now available at a special
price of $20 for students and ex students, and $30 for the general population. Please contact the school if you would like to purchase a copy.
Manly Village Public School has one of the most fascinating
histories of any public school in New South Wales for three
main reasons:
- It has undergone every possible change in structure and
organisation in public education since early colonial times.
Founded in September 1858 as Manly Beach National School,
it was at first housed temporarily in Swiss Cottage, a small
stone building owned by Manly's founding father Henry Gilbert
Smith, on the rise of the western hill of Manly overlooking
Sydney Harbour. When the school was opened for the first
time on 28th September by the first teacher John Wiblen,
an Englishman, only eight children turned up. Pupil numbers
at first only increased gradually. Education in the colony
was not yet compulsory, which did not occur until 1880.
On 16th July 1859, twenty three students and their teacher
and his family moved into a newly built National School
with an attached residence on a vested site on the Manly
flat on Carlton Street adjacent to Belgrave Street near
the ocean beach. They were almost directly below the famous
Kangaroo Statue on the cliff above, erected by Henry Gilbert
Smith in 1856. The School was made of local sandstone with
a shingled roof. In 1867 it became Manly Public School under
the 1866 Public Schools Act of New South Wales. The School
was to be eventually overcrowded with children by the 1870s.
The School over time
went through every change that could be imagined. By 1882
it was shifted to its present site (the present block) on
Darley Road between Wentworth Street and Victoria Parade,
on the former Bassett-Darley Estate. In August 1882 the
pupils moved into the new one storey brick building, leaving
the old school on Carlton Road behind, which was later sold
and the building demolished. The new School had separate
Boys' and Girls' Departments in the one building. Other
buildings were added later together with a second floor.
By mid 1886 there were 284 children on the school roll,
including many new arrivals to Manly. From then on the School
population continues to explode.
In the first year of
Australia Federation in 1901 the School became Manly Superior
Public School, a full-fledged primary school under the 1880
Public Instruction Act with the addition of secondary (or
post-elementary) classes in Technology for boys, Commerce
for boys and Domestic Science for girls. In the 1920s these
secondary classes evolved into a Boys' Junior Intermediate
and a Girls' Domestic Science Schools, both on the same
site as the primary school. Manly Boys' Junior Intermediate
High became Manly Boys Intermediate High School and then
Manly Boys' High School, at first at Balgowlah in 1944 and
then at a new school complex at Curl Curl as a selective
school. Manly Domestic Science School stayed on the Darley
Road site until mid-1962 and then was removed to Manly Vale
as Mackellar Girls' High School.
The route taken to solve
the incredible overcrowding problem on the Darley Road site
was a complex, drawn-out and convoluted one, but we are
now "back to the future" with Manly Village Public
School, mainly housed in the purpose built purple brick
Domestic Science building erected in 1930 after the headmaster's
vested residence had been demolished on the same spot.
- The School over 150 years has produced many interesting
and accomplished ex-pupils as outstanding Australian citizens.
These have included war heroes and diplomats (for example Sir Arthur Roden Cutler),
artists, poets (for example Bruce Beaver), novelists, doctors,
engineers, philosophers (for example John Passmore) and
outstanding sportsmen and women (including Andrew "Boy"
Charlton) and the like. They are the famous, and there are
the unknown hard-working citizens who all have contributed
much to their suburb, their city, their state and this country.
Some have trodden the international stage. Their life stories
are part of the School's fabric and are woven into its history.
- The School's surrounding environment is a colourful and
progressive seaside suburb with a lively history of it's
own that has profoundly influenced the children at the School,
especially at first with the rise of Manly as the amateur
sporting mecca of Australia in the early 20th century. As
well, there was the Great War, the Depression of the 1930s
with widespread poverty, the Second World War, the Post-War
Reconstruction and so on through to the beginnings of the
21st century.
Some believe that growing
up in Manly was close to a 'paradisial childhood' of healthy
and fresh sea breezes, surfing and harbour beaches and beautiful
bush reserves. Trudy King, a prominent child-rearing expert
who wrote for the Australian Women's Weekly in the 1930s
confidently claimed "A child is much nearer to the
heart of things on the beach than on the street".
The famous children's
writer Ethel Turner (who wrote Seven Little Australians in 1891) had a similar view to King which she expounded
in her children's novel about Manly Flower O'the Pine (1914), which was seen through the eyes of her lively little
infant character Fleur who was down from the country:
'She liked the word "Esplanade". She loved the
word "Corso". When she lingered over the pronunciation
of them they reminded her that she was a traveller in fine
foreign cities.' (p.84)
'She saw the gleam of
the fruit shops at the entrance to the wharf, noted the
yellow, velvety peaches piled up; The pyramids of purple
figs. She looked at and saw the men with their baskets of
silvery bream, the boys with their measures of fresh, coral-pink
prawns.' (p.130)
'And then the Corso
burst upon her, wave-lapped at either end, shop-fringed
on either side.' (p.78)
'Sunlight and surf,
plenty of exercise - movement in all forms, rowing, dancing,
skating, golf, tennis, cricket, football - good fellows
and happy-natured women about him – that was the menu
for his dictates.' (p.102)
'And Manly, pouring
out it's attractions with prodigal hand, drew the greatest
multitude.' (p.135)
It is intended that the published school history will be
a colourful but authentic one, drawing on a host of sources,
and with plenty of photographs, illustrations and vivid memories
of childhood and growing up in Manly by ex-students, both
elderly, middle-aged and young.
About the author
John Ramsland was born in Manly in 1942 and grew up there.
Both his mother and elder brother attended Manly Public School
on Darley Road. He was a student at Manly West Public School
and Manly Boys' High School, and was later educated at Bathurst
Teachers' College and the Universities of New England, Sydney
and Newcastle. He is now Emeritus Professor of History at
Newcastle and the author of several books and many articles
about the history of social welfare, education and childhood,
both in Australia and overseas. He has previously written
about the Far West Children's Health Scheme, the NSW Correspondence
School and several bush schools and Aboriginal Provisional
Schools.
Book Launch
During the children’s assembly on the 26th March the school history book Brave and Bold was launched with the children as  they listened to a riveting presentation by author John Ramsland. Professor Ramsland enlightened the children by outlining some of the significant events in the school’s history. This was accompanied by a brief slide show which helped the children visualise some of the changes that have taken place at our school over the last 150 years. The eldest child in each family was given a copy of the history book to take home in the afternoon. Additional copies of the book are still available at the front office for students and former students for $20.00, and for $30 for other members of the community.
Thursday 27th March was a proud day for Manly Village Public School as we launched John  Ramsland’s beautifully written and presented history book to a very appreciative adult audience. This included past students, teachers and principals as well as current and previous parents. The recorder group and senior band performed during the event and received very deserving acclaim from the impressed audience.
It was a privilege to have Peter FitzSimons, author, historian and sportsman, launch the book for us with an engaging and at times, hilarious speech. Mike Baird, our local member, was also there to articulately and amusingly introduce the speakers and to congratulate Mr Ramsland and our school on the book launching. The Year 12 hospitality students from the Balgowlah Boys campus, dressed in their chef’s outfits, were fantastic ambassadors for their school, as they served the guests morning tea. Robyn Price, our very talented, organised and committed parent, very capably orchestrated this wonderful event, and our school is very grateful for her work. This shows, as always, that there are so many people at and around Manly Village, who work together for the benefit of our fantastic school.
Swimming at Manly
Bathing at Manly Beach is certainly not what it used to be back in 1858, when our school first opened its doors. As author and historian John Ramsland tells us,
There was not much swimming taking place in 1858 in Manly. Those that swam did it in the evening after sunset. They were naked and segregated to certain places on Manly Harbour Beach. They usually bathed in groups of men and women in separate areas. Temporary dressing screens could be erected on the beach.
Soon neck-to-knee loose-fitting cotton costumes with bonnets for women were invented. Cover-up dressing robes were placed on the beach. Later women's tidal bathes were built near the end of the West Esplanade and a men's bathes at the other end of East Esplanade.
When surfing started to become popular in the 1880s, naked bathing in segregated groups in the evening was the practice at first. The Victorians related nakedness with bathing in secluded places - eg small beaches in Fairlight - was a middle-class rather than a working-class activity.
As a special treat at our 2008 swimming carnival, a number of our Year 6 students dressed as they would have in the late 1800s and early 1900’s, wearing neck- to- knee clothes, and the girls wearing a square piece knotted at 4 corners for a bonnet. The students paraded their outfits before competing in a novelty relay race.
Mrs Black also addressed the assembly, with the assistance of the Year 6 students in their swimming costumes from yesteryear, about the history of the swimming costume.
Heritage Week Activities
Historic Walk Through the Corridors of Manly Village Public School
OnTuesday 8th April we welcomed members of the community to join a guided tour through the historic corridors of Manly Village Public School.
Participants met in the office area at 10am where the tour began. Terry Metherell, renowned local historian, led the group through the school where they heard about the many changes that have taken place during our 150 year history.
It was very interesting talking to so many people from the wider community about their experiences at our school from long ago – not only during the historic tour but also at the book launch, during the historical exhibition and as people popped in to purchase a copy of the book.
This event was held to coincide with the local Heritage Week activities.
Manly Library opened Heritage Week with a wonderful photographic display, Growing by the Sea which showcased the vibrant history of our school. The photographs for this exhibition were selected by John Ramsland, author of our history book, Brave and Bold. The photographs of our historic school showcased the many faces and changes which have taken place over the last 150 years. The exhibition remained open for public perusal until 21st April.
Thank you to Manly Library for passing the display on to our school, where it became an important part of our historical exhibition.
Growing By the Sea - Our Historic Display
If you had the opportunity of visiting Manly Village Public School during the month of June you could be excused for thinking you had stepped back in time. The school displayed the historical exhibition as a part of our sesquicentenary celebrations. This was of great interest to the current school and local community as well as the many former students who have stayed connected to the school and the local area. Deonne Smith, Northern Beaches Regional Director and Sharryn Brownlee, from the Quality Teaching Council, were there to help us officially launch the exhibition on 28th May.
 The exhibition brought to life the personalities and characters who inhabited the school as pupils, students and teachers, both the famous and the not so famous. There were war heroes like Sir Roden Cutler, there were sporting heroes, Olympic gold medallists from times long past like Andrew 'Boy' Charlton and more recent times, like Debbie Watson, artists, poets, novelists, doctors, philosophers and engineers, and there were thousands of unknown hardworking citizens whose ability to contribute to their community began through their actions at school.
The historic exhibition displayed school reports, examination papers, awards, beautifully handwritten exercise books, text books, badges, toys and books. The school uniform has undergone many changes all of which were beautifully displayed. The school has had a strong sporting culture, which is evidenced with trophies, photographs, and equipment and students whose misdeeds earned them the wrath of the school authorities were dutifully recorded in a punishment book.
At times there were over 2000 students attending from kindergarten to fifteen year olds crammed into classrooms and play areas. Their tales are wonderfully told by some of our oldest surviving students and a replica classroom area was used by the school students who visited the display as part of their curriculum.
All of the classses at the school visited the exhibition with their teachers – some classes made repeat visits due to the enthusiasm of the children and teachers! They were involved in a range of activities during their visits, which encompassed using the original artefacts, and competing in a scavenger hunt.
We are enormously proud of our school and its remarkable history and this display successfully brought the past back to life for the hundreds of people who walked through the doors of the exhibition in June 2008.
Our school thanks Millie Buckley and Robyn Price and their wonderful team of helpers for so capably putting this exhibition together for our children, our community and our alumni.
Classrooms of the Past
 You should have seen the look on the children’s faces as they experienced lessons as they were back in 1858, way back when Manly School first opened its doors! The students were crammed into restricted classroom space, with up to 60 other children. They wrote on slate boards and were not permitted to speak, turn their heads or smile as they role played being pupils 150 years ago.
The children and teachers dressed for the occasion, and certainly looked the part in their mob hats, long socks and aprons. This helped make the experience even more unique.
The children enjoyed the experience and could be heard chattering about it for days after the event. It allowed them to gain a better understanding of what it would have been like at a school in the olden days, and perhaps gave them a greater appreciation of the freedom and fun we have at school in 2008!
We are very grateful to one of our mums, Kate Cope, for providing the younger students with abridged versions of the strict 1858 school lessons, so that the Kindy and year 1 students could also learn about life at school in the 1850s.
Sesqui Curriculum
During second term, children from kindergarten through to Year 6 learned about the rich and diverse history of Manly Village Public School and the surrounding area.
The teachers used this work to collaboratively plan and amend lessons based around the Quality Teaching Framework (a professional learning tool designed to optimise teaching skills and student learning outcomes).
This work involved children in a range of hands on and engaging activities designed to provide them with an understanding of the original inhabitants of Manly, the changes that have taken place over the last 150 years and the local people from the past and present. The students were involved in a wide range of activities including: role plays, scavenger hunts, singing, moral dilemmas, debates, discussions, mapping, research, guided local walks, interviewing ex students, looking at artefacts, concept mapping, floorstorming, drawing timelines and more...
It was a lot of fun for the children and teachers to learn about and share our unique history in this way.
Family Fair Day - Saturday 6th September 2008
We can't wait for our Family Fair Day, when we will once again welcome our families and community into Manly Village Public School. There will be so much to see and do as our guests are invited to step back in time to 1858. We will be dressing up in period costumes and will enjoy many activities enjoyed by locals 150 years ago. There will be pony rides, cake competitions, maypole dancing, lucky dips, a town crier, a tea room and much more! So come along and join in with the fun and games!
Our 150th Birthday Party - Friday 26th September 2008
On the last day of third term, we will be holding a birthday party for the children to celebrate our school's 150th birthday. The children will be able to enjoy birthday cake and playground games.
Art Exhibition
As part of our celebrations, the students from kindergarten through to Year 6 prepared individual art works to coincide with different styles of art over the last 150 years. These are proudly displayed throughout the main building of the school. When you enter the school building from the front office, you can trace the artistic styles from the 1850s to the present as you walk through the corridors. The children and teachers are to be commended for this beutiful display of work. A special mention goes to Ludmilla Amerikow, our very talented art teacher, for her carefully planned art lessons, to the mums who prepared the work ready for display and to our general assistant and mums who displayed the work for us.
As has been the tradition at Manly Village, each class has also prepared a major art work which will be auctioned at our Art Exhibition in October. As this year is a very special occasion for our school, we have been invited by our local member, Mike Baird, to display the art works at State Parliament House for the month of September. We feel very honoured to have been given this opportunity and I was very pleased that many members of our school community were able to pop in and view these works while they were being displayed.
These works of art were then transported back to the school, so that they could be auctioned. Our very organised and hardworking fundraising committee had been very busy organising this event for us and we are very grateful for their efforts.
Opening of Farmer Brown's Community Garden
Our hardworking grounds committee are in the process of transforming our vegetable garden into a community garden, which will not only contain a vegie patch, but will also act as a passive area for children to visit during their break times. The garden will be named after a former principal, Farmer Brown, who loved to tend to the school garden during his principalship.
To celebrate the completion of the garden, we held an opening on Wednesday 19th November, which was a drizzly Spring day. We were very honoured to have Farmer Brown's great, great grandchildren (who attend our school today), his great grandchildren and his granddaughter and grandson in attendance to cut the ribbon and to help with the formalities. We welcomed some of our alumni back to the school as well as our current students and parents. We also awarded prizes to the winners of our scarecrow competition. It was a very successful day and we all felt so proud of our garden.
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