On Friday, November 1st, Girrawheen Senior High School marked a significant milestone in its history with the 25/50 Year Time Capsule Event, part of the school’s vibrant 50th Anniversary Celebrations. Alumni, current students, and staff gathered for a day filled with nostalgia, reflection, and community spirit.
The event kicked off with guests touring the school, revisiting their old classrooms and the hallways that shaped their formative years. A special “walk down memory lane” showcased a captivating display of photos, yearbooks, student work, and uniforms that highlighted the school’s rich 50-year legacy.
As the lunch bell rang, guests were treated to a delectable free sausage sizzle, crafted to peak Bunnings quality by our talented Cert II in Hospitality students, alongside Mrs. Hales and Mo from Student Services. The delightful aroma of sizzling sausages wafted through the air, complemented by food trucks serving refreshing bubble tea and indulgent soft serve.
The program commenced with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Dot Henry, followed by an engaging Principal’s Address from Barbara Newton. A highlight of the day was the address by the 1999 Co-Presidents, Shayne Hutchings (formerly Shayne Murphy) and Adrian Keenan, who had buried the original time capsule as Year 12 students. Now thriving in the education sector, Shayne is the Principal of Belridge Secondary Support Centre, while Adrian leads as Head of Service Area for North Metropolitan and Pilbara regions in Special Education Needs. Their stories of 1999, including the shared fears of the Y2K bug, reminded us of how far we’ve come.
Year 11 student Maureen Jaliebah eloquently shared what school life is like today, bridging the past with the present. The ceremony culminated in the burial of the 2024 time capsule, with Principal Newton shovelling the first patch of dirt before passing the shovel to student Jaylen Headland before passing it to Jethro Angeles. D&T Teacher Dean Cantwell sealed it off, symbolizing a hopeful connection between generations.
It was a joyful afternoon, celebrating not just the past, but also the future of Girrawheen Senior High School. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in commemorating 50 incredible years! Here’s to the next chapter in our school’s vibrant story!
