This year’s cohort of Queensland’s Cooktown State School have already headed back to their classrooms for the 2025 academic year, but for former students from decades gone by, the state school’s 150th birthday this month will see another kind of back-to-school experience.
The nostalgia-filled celebration of Cooktown State School’s rich history on 22 February will feature a display of memorabilia in the library, as well as old records of student behaviour.
Principal Leanne Rayner has been at the school’s helm since 2013 and says the event is an overwhelming, yet exciting, occasion to be a part of.
“I’m just so excited to be in this position and be part of this celebration, because it is a fantastic milestone,” she says.
“Some of the old photos and records that we’ve got, it’s quite incredible that they’ve survived so long.”
Rayner admits she was alerted to the event by chance, when the great-granddaughter of the very first principal contacted her about this year’s special date significance, “so I believe she will be coming up, which is very exciting”.
A trip back in time
For any former students keen to revisit the site of their childhood education, the day will begin at 10am with a badging ceremony, before attendees get the opportunity to go back in time and reunite with old friends.
There will also be a vintage best-dressed competition, with community members encouraged to dig through the back of their wardrobes to see what still might fit.
“It can be back in the day 150 years ago, or they may even have old school uniforms, so that would be fun,” says Rayner.
Connecting with former staff and students
She is expecting several past principals, teachers and staff to be in town for the event and says it’s set to be a wonderful day of getting people with a shared experience back together.
“What I’m excited about is just the community all coming together, having lots of fun and talking about great experiences,” says Rayner.
“It’s also an opportunity to celebrate our school – you know, we do a really good job, our kids are forefront, and we have a real passion for teaching and a passion for education, and also a passion for making great outcomes for whatever kids choose to follow in their future and supporting them through that.”
