Chapter 7. The Seventies

As I sit to write about the ten years I spent teaching at Beverly Hills Primary School in the Infants' Department, I find it very difficult to know where to start as the memories keep tumbling over themselves. The reader may find it a little disjointed but anyone who attended the school during the seventies, whether as a pupil or teacher will no doubt remember many of these happenings. They hold very fond memories for me as I hope for all who attended this great school.

I arrived in January 1972 to take up my position of a teaching Infants' Mistress, which had been held by Mrs Gwen Peters. Mr Cliff Chaffer was the Principal and he was very helpful as far as the administration side of my job was concerned. I think Geoff Chinner was the Primary Deputy Principal. I say "think" because the Infants and Primary Departments were not very close and were run quite separately.

This has changed now with the K-6 school concept. I was very fortunate to have an excellent Deputy in Mrs Pat Campanella who was at the school from 1962 to 1964 and then again from 1965 to 1983. A very bright and breezy person who always bounced in to school each morning with a hearty "Good morning" which, we learnt later, really annoyed one of the class teachers, Mrs Alex Carswell, because she was usually feeling the exact opposite. Another of our young teachers, Margaret Chandler, came in one morning with a face as long as a wet week-end. On being asked what was wrong she said it was her birthday and she was very miserable as it was her 25th and this meant she was a quarter of a century old!! Another of our teachers was the wife of soccer star, Johnny Warren-the children thought that was just great.

INFANTS' DEPARTMENT

We usually had 6 classes in the Infants' Department with an average of 30 pupils in each class. As the time went by we gradually became more involved with the Primary Staff. The Infants' children delighted in attending the marvellous musicals produced by Primary teacher, John Gillies.

MUSIC FESTIVALS

The biggest productions were "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and the "Wizard of Oz" where we all followed the Yellow Brick Road around the top grass playground. The murals that he painted for that production were on the back wall of the Primary Hall for many years. He also painted the Aboriginal mural in the Library.

Both the Primary and Infants choirs were regular performers in the annual Music Festivals. Sometimes the children performed an individual item as well. Who could forget in 1981 Year 2 dancing to Scott Joplin's music, Mr Jack McInerney, our Principal after Mr Chaffer retired, was often the compere at the Festivals. Other teachers also helped by being conductors and stage managers.

PUBLICITY

The pupils were quite often written up in the local newspaper "The Leader" for different community activities such as our Anzac Day ceremonies, helping raise money for a near-by nursing home, our Fete day etc. We were once on the front Page but for the worst reason-the Infants School was badly vandalised one October long-week-end. The mess of coloured paint was indescribable. The whole of the school pupils, teachers, parents were devastated. It took many weeks for the school to look normal but almost a whole year to replace all the equipment that had been ruined and we all asked-WHY?

MOTHERS' CLUB

The parent bodies have always been a great help to the school. The Mother's Club worked very hard and we were able to give the children important additional material and aides which would not have been possible without the Club's help. the children at Beverly Hills were some of the best I have taught. We did have our difficult ones as does all schools but on the whole I think it was a happy school with a good school tone.

ETHNIC DIVERSITY

The school population changed slowly during the late 60's and throughout the 70's from almost entirely Anglo-Saxon to a mixture of many ethnic races especially Greeks, Italians and Asians. This made for a most interesting mix of children and parents. It also brought a special teaching position called E.S.L. (English Second Language).

READING SCHEMES

The children will remember the Quota Spelling that was introduced in the late 70's, the Cuisenaire and Open House Maths, Breakthrough Reading Scheme. There were many different reading schemes (remember Open Road and Travelling On readers) but we managed to have a little of everything to vary the reading curriculum so that all children, no matter at what level they were working at, would maintain an interest in Reading and leave the Infants Department able to read. This was one of the main school aims as well as forming acceptable social behavioural traits.

EXCURSIONS

The children and parents were involved in many activities outside the classroom. Who could possibly forget our bus trips to the Zoo, the Easter Hat parades, visits to the Red Cross Pageants at the Town Hall and later at the Opera House. We travelled by train to the Red Cross Pageants, usually only Year 1 and Year 2 were involved. It was always held in July and on one very cold day when we returned to Beverly Hills station half the children and teachers alighted from the train and before the rest of the children and one teacher could get off, the train pulled out of the station. They had to get off at the next station and wait for a train coming back. I was not very happy with the station attendant who had not bothered to come out of his cosy room to check the train and station before signalling to the train guard. Finally we all returned to school - no lost children, thank goodness.

The children would also remember walkathons, where we walked around the school playground course and made lots of money. The Primary had Spellathons as well. Mother's Day Stalls where the children found it difficult to make up their minds as to what to buy for mum from the Mother's Club stall. The Stewart House for a 2 week holiday.

The Parent/Teacher interviews which were so important for both teachers and parents. The sad part was that the parents the teachers specially wanted to see were the ones that did not attend. Finally the end of years activities which the children and parents so enjoyed and the teachers put a lot of hard work in training the children for "the Concert". Remember Year 2's "Annie" musical-what a production. The Primary had a great time at their Farewell socials. The Great Christmas Party, Picnic days at Carss Park where on at least two occasions, children fell (accidentally) into the water or creek and went home in the bus rather damp. Just as well it was Summer time.

Parents were kept informed of school happenings through the monthly Newsletter.There are probably many more stories to tell for ten years is a long time and others will remember things I have forgotten but I am sure we all remember our years at Beverly Hills school as enjoyable, interesting and productive. I leave you with a quotation from Henry Adams:-

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops ........

Miss Lois Walker
Infants' Mistress (Jan. 1972-March 1982)

BEVERLY HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOL NEWSLETTER: February 1979 Dear parents, Now that we have all settled again into routines involved in school life, opportunity is taken to extend to the parents and friends of our school warm greetings, confident that the happy association between home and school will continue and that we may move even closer together in working for the welfare of our children. Parents are assured that we look forward to meeting and discussing with them matters concerning their children. It is school policy to minimise interruptions to lessons and class procedure. Therefore, you are asked to avoid, as far as possible, seeking interviews, without notice, with teachers at their classrooms during lesson times. If you contact the school, interviews can be arranged for mutually suitable times. Most parents adopt this practice which works very satisfactorily for all concerned. In the Primary Department special parent-teacher nights are held at times during the year while half-yearly reports are forwarded to the parents of each child. Further contact is made by a specially prepared letter in cases where certain matters are brought to notice for attention. In the absence of such a letter, parents can rest assured that a child's application, attitude, behaviour and general progress are satisfactory. Half-yearly reports are not issued in the case of Infants pupils. In spite of all of the above methods designed to bring about close co-operation and communication between home and school, there is still room for parents to take the initiative and come to talk with us. We welcome to the staff the following: Mr. Graham - Deputy Principal Mrs. Wallis - Resource Teacher Miss Endicott and Mr. Healey - Special duties School Organisation Primary Department 3 Blue Miss J. Gallant 3 Gold Mr. P. Davies 4 Blue Mr. G. Stelzer 4 Gold Mr. A. Cox 5 Blue Miss s. Lauritzen 5 Gold Mr. D./ Whibley 6 Blue Mr. B. Graham (Deputy Principal) 6 Gold Mrs. B. Blair Infants Department K. Blue Mrs. L. Smith K. Gold Miss C. Wilson 1. Blue Mrs M. Schneider, 1. Gold Mrs. N. Freeland 1. White Miss L. Walker (Mistress) 2. Blue Mrs. P. Campanella     (Deputy Mistress) 2. Gold Mrs. B. Whimble Teacher's Aide - Mrs. Gregory Resource Teacher Mrs. M. Wallis Librarian Mrs. H. Kells Librarian Clerical Assistant Mrs. R. Herron Craft Teacher Mrs. M. Singleton Migrant (E.S.L.) Teacher Mrs. N. Le Huray School Secretary Mrs. E. Wagener. Pupil Banking Pupils may bank money at school on each Tuesday. Bank Officers (C.S.B.) collect deposits at the school. Contact the school for further information. Uniforms - Girls The uniforms may be purchased through the school. Primary - through Mrs Wagener - Infants through Mrs. Gregory. The prices are as follows:- Summer Uniform - sizes 5-6-8- = $15.    sizes 10- 12 = $16. Sport Uniform - All sizes = $14 Winter Uniform - As yet we do not have a price but will advise as soon as a price becomes available. Woven Cloth Badges. These badges are to be worn on the Winter uniform, Sports uniform and Boys' sports T. Shirts. These can be purchased from Mrs. Wagener at a cost of $1. Uniforms - Boys Summer Grey shorts, grey short sleeved open necked shirt. Black shoes, short grey socks. Winter Grey shorts, grey shirt with school tie (royal blue with yellow stripe). Long grey socks, grey jumper or wind jacket. Black shoes. Sports White shorts, coloured T. Shirt (see sport Master the colour of your house), white socks and sand shoes. Lost Clothing. At times we have enough unclaimed clothing to stock a large shop. Please mark all clothing distinctly to enable us to return garments we find to the owners. Early Arrivals Children should not come to school before 8.55 a.m. We do not provide supervision before that time. (see special notice) Early Departures: Where it is necessary for a child to leave school before 3.25 p.m. written advice/request must be directed by the parent/guardian to the head of the appropriate department. In cases of unexpected emergency, a 'phone call will suffice. Verbal requests from pupils will be refused. Permission cannot be granted for any pupil to leave school on a regular or permanent basis before 3.25 p.m. Text Books: At the start of the school year, each Primary class teacher will forward home a list of text books and other requirements. Text books are ordered and sold by the school. Infants classes normally do not use printed text books. Busy Roads: Most children must cross very busy roads to get to school. Although traffic lights are provided, it is most necessary for parents and school teachers to repeatedly instruct and warn children of correct procedure in response to the lights and for crossing roads. Teachers are not obliged to supervise pupils as they leave school. However, out of concern for the safety of our pupils, our teachers do undertake supervision of pupils at the lights on each afternoon. Free Bus Travel: All pupils enrolled in the Infants Department are entitled to free bus travel where available. For Primary pupils only those who live more than 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) from the school, by the nearest walking route, are eligible for free bus travel. Application forms for free bus travel are obtainable at the school. Absences from School: Whenever a child is absent from school, for a half or full day (or is late), a written note of explanation must accompany the child on its return - Government regulations, reason, parents are requested to advise the school in advance. Initially a 'phone call will suffice but this must be followed up in writing on the child's return. Homework: Some homework is set, on a regular basis, on most week nights. It usually consists of revision of work treated during the day and may be spelling practice, mathematics operations, language activities, reading practice, mathematics and completion of an exercise. Homework will be of a fairly short duration. Parents are urged to take keen interest in the children's homework, not only to ensure that school work is practised and learnt but also to discover what the child is doing at school. Orders from Local Shops: No child will be allowed to leave the school grounds to make a purchase at a local shop. Pupils who buy lunches at a local shop must place their orders there before arriving at school. Selected senior pupils will collect lunches ordered. Excursions: To supplement class studies by direct experience, classes will, at times, go on approved educational excursions with their teachers, who organise such excursions as part of their teaching programmes. Usually a printed letter will be sent home giving details of arrangements for excursions. Accompanying this will be a consent form which must be signed by a parent/guardian. Pupils will not be taken on an excursion without the written consent of a parent/ guardian. Detention of Pupils: At times some pupils are "kept in" by teachers for very good reasons. This is at the convenience of the teachers. However, pupils will not be detained after school hours without prior advice to parents. This will occur only in cases of persistent lack of application and failure to complete work. Tuck Shop: (Monday) The Mothers, Club and Ladies' Auxiliary hold a Tuck Shop for the purposes of providing fresh lunches for children and as a source of steady income. Prices are very reasonable as only marginal profit is sought. Pupils submit orders on a paper bag and lunches are taken by the ladies to the classrooms. As helpers are few, any volunteers will be welcome with open arms. If Monday is a holiday, the Tuck Shop is held on a Tuesday. Parent Bodies: Our school is fortunate in that it has received magnificent support and assistance from the active parent bodies. All are urged to become active members, thereby meeting many others with common interests and anxious to assist the school. The best way to get to know your child's school and educational methods is to attend meetings at the school. Ideas which will contribute to the welfare of the pupils will be welcomed. Parents and Citizens Association: Membership is open to all parents and interested citizens. Meetings are held in the library on the second Tuesday of each month, commencing at 7.30 p.m. Ladies Auxiliary: The name is self-explanatory. Most activities involve fund-raising..with great fun and enjoyment. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, at 1.30. Mothers' Club: Membership is open to Mothers of pupils enrolled in the Infants Department, and to other interested ladies. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, 1.30. Miss L Walker. Mistress Infants Department Mr. J. W. McInerney. Principal

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