FOR the first time in 148 years Buangor Primary School is going to have a community birthday party.
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Former and current students and teachers will put on birthday hats and celebrate the school's 148th birthday at a community reunion on March 7 and 8.
The school was established in 1872 and has seen thousands march through its doors, including former student Sarah Alexander.
Ms Alexander graduated from the school in 1994 and will return to celebrate with other former students.
"It was a close knit, happy little school," she said.
"There used to be pine trees all around the outside of the oval and we would make forts and cubbies out there.
"I had a grade four teacher, Mrs Gubbins. She was fantastic and I loved her to bits. We used to go and get extra homework from her."
Now Ms Alexander's own five children will attend the school.
"I feel like my girls are privileged to come here," she said.
"One is in grade two and one is in grade one, and the others will follow on."
It's possible that Ms Alexander's children will be taught by the current longest-serving teacher Kate White.
Ms White has taught at the school since 1999 and has seen a lot change in the way children are taught - a change made more apparent after she returned from an eight year break to raise her own family.
"The biggest change I've seen over the years when I started in 1999 and returned in 2013 to teach is just the technology and the way that that's changed the outlook on education," she said.
"It's broadened the horizons of a lot of the students as well. We might have had a couple of desktop computers in the classroom in the 1990s and now we've got iPads, interactive whiteboards, video conferencing, laptop computers as well as desktop computers."
Ms White said she was looking forward to seeing former students at the reunion.
"It's lovely to see them and what pathway they've grown up and taken in life," she said.
"It makes you feel very old when you see them and they're all young adults, and some even have children of their own."
The reunion will also serve as a fundraiser for the school's dilapidated sports courts.
Read more: J Ward, Aradale break visitor record
The school will open its doors from 11am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday where memorabilia will be on display.
A sausage sizzle will be available both days and a two course meal will be available at the historical Cobb & Co on Saturday evening.
Tickets for the evening meal are $30 adults and $15 children, and they must be purchased through trybooking or through Fleur 0407 497 331 by February 28.
Anyone who wants to cement their names at Buangor Primary School, pavers with family names or individual names will be available for purchase during the weekend, these will be laid in the grounds of the school.
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