The year was 1922 and Bruiser (as he’s commonly known) was a few months shy of his fifth birthday when he became a pupil at the relatively new school.

But while more than 80 years have past since Bruiser last left the school, his recollection of the old school days are still firmly etched in his memory.

Yesterday Bruiser visited the school in celebration of its 90th anniversary. Bruiser, who will celebrate his 92nd birthday on Saturday, is believed to be the oldest living pupil of the school.

“School was a very long time ago for me but I do remember that at recess we would play cricket on the old tennis courts and we would often play against Beresfield Public School,” Bruiser said.

“I also recall that we usually went home for lunch and very seldom did we wear shoes, except sometimes sandshoes.”

Five of Bruiser’s brothers and sisters also went to the school with two of his brothers, Francis and Neville, being named on the Thornton Public School honour board for their service in WWII which included life on the Kokoda trail and the Cowra prison breakout.

“I remember the school celebrating Empire Day and Wattle Day. On Wattle Day we would go out into the bush to see all the wattle trees. Back then there used to be a lot of farmland and bushes and Somerset Park used to be a dairy farm,” Bruiser said.

“But looking back Thornton Public School was always a good school and I think it’s lovely four of my great-grandchildren have also been a part of the school community.”