Allendale East Area School (AEAS) will ring in 70 years since its formation with a weekend of events attracting past students, staff and school community members.

The school was first opened in 1953 and hosted more than 200 students from schools with dwindling numbers in Allendale, Port MacDonnell and Mount Schank.

The Allendale East Area School 70th anniversary organising committee is made up of past and present school members including Rhonda Jess, Mel Reed, Kylie Smith, Bev Lewis, Valerie and Dr Murray Earl.

Mrs Jess started at the school in 1953 in Grade 3 and has many fond memories of her time there.

“The post office was across the road and the mail used to come across in a large box and then it was sorted at the school in the office and then it went home on the school bus to people around Mount Schank and outlying areas,” she said.

“There were a lot of things that happened way back then that do not happen now for obvious reasons.

“There are three generations – I went there, my two children went to Allendale as well and then my granddaughter (one of them) is going to Allendale currently.

“A lot of people who want to come back just want to basically sit around and talk and catch up with everybody who happened to go there and renew old friendships.

“There will be many stories to tell.

“It is going to be a very good weekend.”

The May 20 and 21 celebrations will start at the school at 10am on Saturday followed by a light lunch at 12pm.

There will be three guided tours at 11am, 12pm and 3pm but the school will be open all day for the public to look through.

A two-course dinner will take place at the Victoria Hotel at 6pm for $30 per person and tickets can be purchased at the AEAS front office on 8738 7218.

On Sunday there will be a church service in the AEAS performing arts room commencing at 11am with the festivities rounded out by a barbecue lunch and celebratory cake cutting at 12pm.