School has puzzle to solve
The location of a time capsule buried by Winchester Rural School pupils 25 years ago is a mystery which must be solved ahead of the 150-year-old school’s jubilee later this year.
It was during deputy principal Jacquie Coombs’ first year teaching at the school that she saw the time capsule filled with toys, photographs, and stories written by the pupils – but she could not remember where it was buried.
Coombs just hoped it was not under one of the four new classrooms built since 1995.
‘‘We’re getting in touch with the principal that was here at the time, Jeff Paul, and if he doesn’t know we’ll use a metal detector.’’
‘‘We’re hoping it’s over beside the tennis courts because that’s the only part that hasn’t been touched in 25 years,’’ Coombs said.
The plan was to dig the time capsule up, marvel over its contents, and rebury it with items from present pupils.
She said the school became ‘‘the hub of the area’’ after absorbing a number of surrounding schools in 2005, doubling in size.
The school roll was 68 at the time of the 125th jubilee, compared to 147 today. Teacher and classroom numbers had jumped from three to seven.
Though Coombs had never been a pupil, she was the school’s longest-serving staff member.
‘‘The school has changed so much that it doesn’t feel I’ve been here as long as I have.
‘‘And I keep changing my job description,’’ she said.
‘‘I am teaching children of children, which is kind of special too.’’
The school was opened on October 21, 1870.
Celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the school will be held over Labour Weekend in October.
On the Friday, pupils will enjoy an afternoon of activities before a meet-and-greet between pupils, staff, and parent-teacher association board members from the past and present that night.
On Saturday, there will be a formal assembly with photographs and cake followed by a dinner and dance.
Those interested in registering to join in the celebrations could do so at the school’s office or on its website.