On Friday 12 September 2003, all visitors met in the school hall after check in, collecting name tag and other relevant information and signing the attendance sheets. Here we could purchase souvenirs and catch up with friends. Whilst people were chatting, performances by various students were on in the hall, colourful multicultural dances and other musical and topical gems. Regular tours of the school were conducted by current students to our great pleasure. Year 7 students joined us in the hall for the symbolic passing on of the torch ceremony when Leonie Archer (now Leonie Blake) our first “full 5 years at Strathfield Captain” passed to Elizabeth Livanos, the youngest student in the school, the School’s flag as a “Symbolic Torch”. Click here to see Leonie and Elizabeth.

Lunch could be purchased at the many stalls set up by students. We ate it on the move or relaxing in the playground. Click here to see a group of oldgirls enjoying their lunch.

On both days the Library was the place to visit and donate a book from a selection. The Memorabilia display was in the Common Room, down the corridor where the Principal's office used to be in the early days. An In Memoriam Book was also in the Common Room and we could add to it or make corrections regarding any deceased friend from SGHS. A contact board for messages was available in the Common Room for leaving notes for friends. In fact the Common Room was a very popular place. Among the items displayed was a doll dressed by Elizabeth Lazzaroni in the fifties gym tunic. Click here to see Elizabeth with the doll.

Margaret Boucher, Dr Val Attenbrow, Craig Anderson,
Deirdre Turner and Selga Pesudovs

The Official Ceremony took place Friday evening with a large gathering in the hall and officials on the stage. The Master of Ceremonies was Margaret Boucher, Chair of the Jubilee Organising Committee and student at SGHS 1953 to 1955 as Margaret Hickling. The program began with the National Anthem sung by Jacquie Darnell, vocalist for many years in the UK and on the Sydney club circuit, and a student at SGHS 1961 to 1965 as Janice Mumford. The Principal’s address on the occasion of the Official Opening of Strathfield Girls’ High School, made on 18 September 1953, was read by Bruce Woodhouse, grandson of Mrs Woodhouse, the last Headmistress of HIHS and the first of SGHS. The Principal’s address on the occasion of Fifty years of Strathfield Girls’ High School was made by Noel Bishop, current Principal of SGHS.

Address by first school captain was by Margaret Pople, school captain of HIHS in 1952 and of SGHS 1953 and 1954 as Margaret Webb. This was followed by the Address by current school captain, Sangeetha Manoharan. The Address by Former Student to Highlight Achievement was given by Dr Val Attenbrow, Senior Research Scientist in the Division of Anthropology at the Australian Museum. Student at SGHS 1954 to 1956 as Valerie Attenbrow. The School Song was sung by Year 12 student Bina Bhattacharya. Click here to see everyone standing on the stage.

Cutting of the Cake by SGHS Principals, Bronwyn MacLean and Noel Bishop was followed by refreshments supplied and served by the TAS staff and students. The cake was created by Dianne Cassim, SGHS student 1965 to 1970. Click here to see the cutting of the cake.

Photographs were taken of former prefects and former staff.
Click here to see prefects in the daytime;
Click here to see prefects in the evening;
Click here to see some former staff in the evening.

Diana Glenn greeting visitors.

On Saturday 13 September 2003, we all met in the hall but also had rooms assigned for year groups. The tree planting ceremony was held in the front garden. The Principal, Noel Bishop, was aided by Margaret Pople in planting the eucalyptus to commemorate this jubilee. Click here to see the tree planting.

The last Official Function was the sealing of the time capsule for which we all gathered in the hall. Click here to see the audience as taken by Joyce Beeken. The time capsule sealing was officiated by Deirdre Turner assisted by Selga Pesudovs, and an address made by Noel Bishop. Items were placed in the capsule (made from PVC pipe) by three of the "oldest" former students, namely from HIHS in the thirties: Georgina Davies, Audrey Church and Catherine Ledsam. Click here to see the time capsule ceremony.

Most of the pictures for view here were provided by Robyn Mamolis of the current school staff and editor of the Kanyanya, which is available from the school and contains more pictures and information about the celebrations as well as the school of 2003.