Students sing praises of Hilliard State School

The choir which combines both current and past students will perform as part of the school’s 25^th anniversary celebration assembly in the school hall from 9.15am to 10am.  The choir is being conducted by the school’s former music teacher Helene Field.

Following the event, visitors are invited to share morning tea in the school’s conference room. The assembly is open to all existing and past students and their families.

Ms Gardner was an inaugural student at the school in 1991, staying until 1994.

“I have fond memories of my time there.  I especially remember performing Upperlings Down Under in 1994 and being in the school choir.  Coming back to the choir feels pretty strange.  I haven’t sung since primary school,” she said.

Now her children Damien, 8 and Brianna, 6, attend in Years 3 and Prep.

“I thought if the school was good enough for me, it was good enough for them,” she said.

Ms Gardner said one of the adjustments in coming back to the school was in addressing some of the teachers, many of whom have remained since the school opened.

“It makes me feel old.  I struggle to call them by their first name,” she said.

She said she also noticed the increase in buildings and facilities at the school.

“It’s wonderful.  There are so many opportunities.  There is a great dance and aerobics program and the students can do cheerleading,” she said.

Dance coordinator and teacher Maria Carbone said Ms Gardner’s return to the school as a parent was a common occurrence.  She sited one former student who was now a grandparent at the school and another family which has had a representative for most of the 25 years.

“It is just wonderful to see so many students returning. It’s the best endorsement a school can get,” Ms Carbone said.

HIlliard opened with enrolment for 10 classes and today has a student population of about 720.  Further celebrations include a fete on Saturday, May 7 and a ball near the end of the year.  Its motto is “acceptance in a caring community”.