Francis Greenway High School celebrates 50 year anniversary

Among them was year eight student Barbara Jennings. 

“A lot has changed,” Ms Jennings said.

“When it opened it was just three building blocks.”

50 years later to the day, Ms Jennings and her much bigger school will mark half-a-century since gates opened with an assembly and cake-cutting.

Ms Jennings said her entire life has revolved around the school community. Her mother was head cleaner when it opened, she was a student, her children were students and, now, she works in the front office.

“It’s a beautiful community to be a part of,” she said.

Ms Jennings said the school and surrounds had changed dramatically.

“Woodberry was just a few, dotted farmhouses,” she said.

“Beresfield was a good, down-to-earth place.

The high school was named after prominent convict-turned-architect Francis Greenway.

Greenway came to Australia as a convicted forger but rose to hold a prestigious position working Governor Lachlan Macquarie as Australia's first government architect.

He fell into disrepute and died in poverty, buried in an unmarked grave at East Maitland cemetery.

He featured on the old $10 note until 1993 – ironically making him perhaps the world’s only forger to be immortalised on currency.

On Saturday, August 6, the school will host a community open day from 2pm.

There will be tours of the school, souvenirs, exhibits and displays.

A barbecue will be provided by East Maitland Lions Club and an art exhibition will showcase student’s work.

The school invites the whole community to attend the historic event.