Kangaroo Inn Area School will mark its 60th birthday with celebrations on September 29.
They will commence with an assembly at 10.30am and a display of memorabilia in the hall, followed by a barbecue lunch and school tours conducted by the Student Representative Council members.
The school has extended an open invitation to the community to join with it on that day.
The school had opened its doors on a greenfield site in February, 1963.
Foundation headmaster Rex Hosking greeted two students at 8.30am who had ridden their bikes to school. Around 20 minutes later, an additional 236 students arrived on buses.
The school was built to cater for the influx of the off-spring of post-war soldier settlers.
Nowadays, the school population is half that number as the number of farming families has dropped owing to consolidation of properties.
Planning for a school to meet the needs of the rapidly developing area began in 1958.
Building commenced in 1962 after clearing the scrub land opposite the historic Kangaroo Inn ruins.
The school supported the educational needs of the communities of Bray, Reedy Creek, Conmurra, Furner, Greenways and Mount Bruce.
It is said that Kangaroo Inn was admired as being the ‘most beautiful and unique school in the state.’
Over the years the school has grown in size and facilities with a number of additional buildings being added including transportable classrooms, library and canteen and such sporting facilities as the hall, squash courts and tennis courts.
More recent improvements have focussed on the library upgrade, additional computer and wireless technology and Home Economics and Technical Studies upgrades.
The establishment of an agricultural program was first discussed in 1969 and put in place in the late 1970’s largely due to community involvement and a grant from the Schools Commission for $1584 for building materials for the United Fowls and Vegetables group.
The Child Parent Centre (CPC) began in 1976 with the introduction of a playgroup leading to the current preschool program in 1980.
In 2003, the Robe-based Child Care on Wheels (CCOWS) commenced a childcare program one day a week at Kangaroo Inn.
Please RSVP to the KIAS office for catering purposes via email to emma.chambers387@schools.sa.edu.au or by phone 873430346.
