David Sellwood
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What years did you attend Undera Primary School, and what are some of your strongest memories from your time there?
I attended the school from 1962 until 1968. Four younger siblings followed on after me finishing up about 1978. I then had five of my own children attend from 1988 until about 2003. A grandfather attended in the very early 20th century. His name appears on the honour boards for past students who served in the world wars.
What was school life like during your time at Undera? Think classes, teachers, friends, the playground, traditions or special events.
I remember a real sense of community. When I was young, the kids all knew each other. I would know most of their parents, and my parents were close friends with some of them.
Is there a particular teacher, lesson, school event or moment that has stayed with you over the years? Why?
Events like the end of the year concert on the stage of the Memorial Hall remain strong in my memory. Also, sporting days against the smaller schools that surrounded Undera, but have since closed. I remember a respect for the large number of fathers that would turn out for working bees, and all the mothers involved in the Mother’s Club.
How do you think your time at Undera Primary School helped shape the person you are today?
It has reinforced my identifying with Undera, despite having left eight years ago.
What does it mean to you to be part of the school’s history, and what do you hope continues for future generations of Undera students?
There is a pride in the school having travelled this distance, and a hope that it may continue despite the present low numbers.
Anne McNiven
What years did you attend Undera Primary School, and what are some of your strongest memories from your time there?
I attended my first school, Undera Primary School, in 1950 and 1951. They were happy days walking to school with my big sister from the store which my Dad looked after down the road to school.
My strongest memories were working with Miss Lois Stewart each afternoon with the other infant classes using wooden counting frames, writing on slates and enjoying craft activities. Another very strong memory was drinking cocoa by the tankstand each recess. It was made by the headmaster’s wife and was so hot, we had to cool it with the tank water.
What was school life like during your time at Undera? Think classes, teachers, friends, the playground, traditions or special events.
Mr Featherstone, the headmaster, taught all classes in the mornings and Miss Stewart had infants each afternoon in the room next door. A special event was the annual concert in the Undera Hall where each student dressed as a book character. The costumes, usually made from crepe paper, were made by our mothers. This was an exciting event with the whole Undera community gathered together.
Is there a particular teacher, lesson, school event or moment that has stayed with you over the years? Why?
I always looked forward to going to Miss Stewart in the afternoons as she made learning FUN. In reading every morning, it was important to follow each word and not to “lose the place” when it was our turn to read. It was quite stressful as not “losing the place” became more important than reading for meaning.
How do you think your time at Undera Primary School helped shape the person you are today?
The fun times with Miss Stewart always stayed with me and her enjoyable lessons coloured my future 52 teaching years.
What does it mean to you to be part of the school’s history, and what do you hope continues for future generations of Undera students?
I feel very proud that my first school is still “open for business” after 150 years and I sincerely hope the students’ access to computers, swimming lessons and excursions continue to attract children, with each generation seeing the school as “one to remember”.
Alistair Chessells
What years did you attend Undera Primary School, and what are some of your strongest memories from your time there?
I attended from 1970 to 1977. Riding to school with my brother everyday. Playing cricket and football at school. Our principal at the time disposed of a swooping magpie in the playground. Group days with the other local schools in the area.
What was school life like during your time at Undera? Think classes, teachers, friends, the playground, traditions or special events.
There were around 75 kids at school with three classrooms. Winter time in classrooms were freezing cold with just a gas heater to keep warm and summer time was very hot with only a fan. We played football and cricket and British bulldogs in the playground. In my time it was boys play together and girls played together. I liked group days and sports days at Undera recreation reserve and the camps.
Is there a particular teacher, lesson, school event or moment that has stayed with you over the years? Why?
The 100-year school century. Part of the primary school football team which we played against other schools organised by principal John Cullum.
How do you think your time at Undera Primary School helped shape the person you are today?
I stayed in area and it helped me become community focused.
What does it mean to you to be part of the school’s history, and what do you hope continues for future generations of Undera students?
The feeling of being acknowledged as a past student and proud of what the school has achieved over the 150 years. I hope the school can continue on as a great academic success to the community.
Cheryl Lingard
What years did you attend Undera Primary School, and what are some of your strongest memories from your time there?
I started school in Preps in 1964 and went through to Grade 6 in 1970. We had about 98 students in the whole school. One of my strong memories is the Somers School Camp we went to in Grade 5. I also remember another good memory was called Group Day, once a month, the smaller schools around us came for a day of sport with our school. They were Coomboona, North Mooroopna, North West Mooroopna, St Germains, and Gillistin. These schools had a total 12 to 16 students at each school.
What was school life like during your time at Undera? Think classes, teachers, friends, the playground, traditions or special events.
School seemed good during my time there. We had a teacher for each room, with classes from 30 to 38 each room. The headmaster was the teacher for Grades 5 and 6 and also lived in the schoolhouse on the premises. The girls in our room all played together, we played netball at the weekends in Shepp, and tennis in the summer behind the school grounds.
Is there a particular teacher, lesson, school event or moment that has stayed with you over the years? Why?
My Grade 3 and 4 teacher was very old fashioned back then and strict and stern.
How do you think your time at Undera Primary School helped shape the person you are today?
My time at Undera Primary School helped me because at an early age we learnt all of our tables, we also learnt how to read, write, and spell properly or we got a crack on the knuckles. We could do most any maths or writing of any kind in our heads, not like now with calculators, they did not exist in my time.
What does it mean to you to be part of the school’s history, and what do you hope continues for future generations of Undera students?
I am honoured to be part of this history. I hope this school continues to thrive for the future generations to come and keeps on going in the years ahead for the community.