Stan Lowe
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I was at Shepp East in the 1950s.
My strongest memory of the school was that around 80 per cent of the kids were just off the boat from a range of European countries. We all got on well together.
I was no good at sport, but the kids tried to teach me soccer in four different languages. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t learn how to play soccer.
Pam Lowe
What years did you attend Shepparton East Primary School, and what are some of your strongest memories from your time there?
I started Prep in July 1954 at the age of five and completed Prep in that half year then into Grade 1 and graduated Grade 6 in 1960. Still have many friendships from that time.
What was school life like during your time at Shepparton East?
I have no bad memories of my school days, teachers were good, friends aplenty from many nationalities and as l have continued to live in the area, am still in contact with many.
I always felt special when my parents turned up to school for the likes of mothers’ club or school working bees, as not all parents for whatever reason were not present.
Is there a particular teacher, lesson or moment from your time at the school that has stayed with you over the years? Why?
The headmaster Jim Lyle. Memories stay with you, as he had full control but was very fair.
How do you think your time at Shepparton East Primary School helped shape the person you are today?
You left with a good grasp of the three Rs and hopefully enough common sense to add to what you had already achieved.
What does it mean to you to see Shepparton East Primary School celebrate 150 years, and what do you hope continues for future generations of students?
As it is a very changing world, it is great to see the stability of such a local community hub, as many areas are now non-existent, and with the advantage of the closer farming practices of the area, l do hope the area and school survive and thrive for many more generations to come.
Anything you'd like to add?
As is normal in life, l regret the passing of many of my best buddies.
Emily Hall
What years did you attend Shepparton East Primary School, and what are some of your strongest memories from your time there?
I attended Shepparton East Primary School from 1996 to 2000. Shepparton East has been such a significant part of my life, and I have always had a real fondness for the town.
My family lived directly opposite the school, and I climbed over our back fence to make my way to school each day.
Is there a particular teacher, lesson or moment from your time at the school that has stayed with you over the years? Why?
Mrs Trickey is the teacher who has stayed with me over the years. I can’t recall one particular lesson or moment that explains why, but I think sometimes it is simply a feeling that stays with you. She was one of those teachers who left a lasting impression.
There is also a lovely ‘sliding doors’ connection to my teaching career. Mrs Trickey retired the year before I started teaching at Shepparton East. I never had the opportunity to work alongside her as a teacher, but it has always felt like a special coincidence that I returned to the school just as she finished her time there.
What does it mean to you to see Shepparton East Primary School celebrate 150 years, and what do you hope continues for future generations of students?
I hope the school continues to maintain that strong sense of community and belonging that makes a small country school so special. I hope future students have the opportunity to make the same friendships, memories and connections that I did, and that generations of families continue to feel that Shepparton East Primary School is an important part of their lives.
Rachel Barbary
What years did you attend Shepparton East Primary School, and what are some of your strongest memories from your time there?
1980 to 1986.
Sports days at Princess Park against all the other country schools. Making friends in Prep that lasted all my primary years.
What was school life like during your time at Shepparton East?
My classroom was in the original building (today’s performing arts classroom, I believe). I had Mrs Collyer and Mrs Prentice. The Dawn Knox playground was one of our favourites, with the big sandy hills.
Is there a particular teacher, lesson or moment from your time at the school that has stayed with you over the years? Why?
My favourite teachers was Mrs Collyer in Grade 2 and Mrs Prentice in Grade 5. I always looked up to them because I remember them wearing such trendy clothes.
How do you think your time at Shepparton East Primary School helped shape the person you are today?
Shepparton East Primary School really supported and gave me opportunities for my love of sports, through country school sports days and going out for games on a Friday afternoon.
What does it mean to you to see Shepparton East Primary School celebrate 150 years, and what do you hope continues for future generations of students?
It’s really special to see Shepparton East Primary School celebrate 150 years and to know how many generations have been a part of the school. I hope future students can look back at their time here with the same happy memories I have.
Hannah Doyle
What years did you attend Shepparton East Primary School, and what are some of your strongest memories from your time there?
I began my journey at Shepparton East Primary School as a Prep student in 2010 and graduated from Grade 6 in 2016. Living nearby and walking to school each day helped me feel closely connected to the Shepp East community. The school developed my passion for sport by establishing a netball team when I was in Grade 3, introducing me to a sport that would become a significant part of my life. I was also named vice-captain in Y,ear 6 which taught me valuable leadership skills and remains a fond memory that provided me with many opportunities.
What was school life like during your time at Shepparton East?
School life at Shepparton East was welcoming and community-focused, and being part of a small, close-knit cohort allowed me to form strong friendships with classmates and older students while getting to know all the teachers. My favourite memories include school concerts on the back oval, interschool sports days, Christmas arts and activity days, and school fetes. These events brought students, teachers and families together and made Shepp East feel like a close and supportive community.
Is there a particular teacher, lesson or moment from your time at the school that has stayed with you over the years? Why?
My Year 6 teacher, Miss Lothian, had a lasting impact on me through her nurturing nature and the genuine care she showed every student. She was an incredible teacher and inspired me to pursue primary teaching myself so that I could one day have the same positive influence on young people.
How do you think your time at Shepparton East Primary School helped shape the person you are today?
My time at Shepparton East Primary School shaped me into a community-minded person who values strong relationships, teamwork and supporting others. These values have continued through my involvement with the Shepparton East Football Netball Club. Being vice-captain was also a great experience that strengthened my leadership skills and taught me the importance of responsibility and supporting others. The care and encouragement of my teachers also inspired me to pursue primary teaching and create similar positive experiences for future students.
What does it mean to you to see Shepparton East Primary School celebrate 150 years, and what do you hope continues for future generations of students?
Seeing Shepparton East Primary School celebrate 150 years is incredibly special, particularly because my dad, his two sisters, my younger brother and I all attended the school, and my cousin currently teaches Year 5/6. Our family has remained closely connected to the Shepp East community, making this milestone especially meaningful. I hope future generations continue to experience the same strong sense of belonging, support and community that has made the school so special.
Matthew Pattison
I attended Shepparton East Primary School from 1971 to 1977. My classmates from start to finish were Trevor Armstrong, Glenn Cook, Jennifer Lewin, Helen Papadopoulos, Harris Perona, Jim Seman and Caroline Tyers. There were other students who came and went during this time. My main memory is sport and maths with Mr Melville. Mr Melville’s strap was called Slippery Sam and a great deterrent. He was very strong on times table and his harmonica. I guess this is why maths was a strong point in my development.
Our athletics were against Kialla Central and Lemnos primary schools and football at the Shepparton East Football Club. The principal at the time, Rod Elms would drive us to footy training after school.
There was no school uniform so you wore whatever you liked. Getting to and from school was by bus, Ron Ford was the driver and a very good man.
My mother attended Shepparton East Primary school from 1950 (Lorraine [Taylor] Pattison). Mum’s sisters, Lucy, Judith and Kathleen, also attended. My five brothers and sisters also attended. My granddaughter Ivy Pattison commenced her schooling this year at Shepparton East Primary School.
At the 100- and 125-year reunions I rang the school bell, which we had used in our time at school.
All in all it is a great school, of which I have a lot of fond memories.
I recall at a morning assembly after we sang God Save the Queen, Mr Melville and Mr Elms asked the whole school to take their shoes and socks off and leave them on the assembly line. We were then asked to go for a run to the other side of the school and then back. When we returned all our shoes were mixed up and it took quite a while for everyone to find there shoes. No-one was offended. Practical jokes were part and parcel in those days.