In 1942 she moved to her current home with her husband, two years before the school arrived next door.

Every Monday at assembly, the students and staff members sing happy birthday to those celebrating their special day.

Mrs Scarr often listens from her backyard balcony with a smile as the children sing but she had no idea they would one day sing for her – on her 100^th birthday.

On Tuesday, she was invited to a special assembly in her honour, complete with balloons, cake, and a huge card signed by every class and teacher in the school.

To top it off, parents, children and teachers gathered before school to sing for her.

Mrs Scarr said the birthday celebration was lovely and unexpected.

“It was a very nice surprise,” she said.

During the celebrations, students learned interesting facts about Mrs Scarr, including that she was born the year World War One ended and, to their amazement, before Vegemite existed.

Our Lady of Lourdes religious education coordinator Lisa Sansom said Mrs Scarr was a part of the school.

“She always calls out to people and waves,” she said.

“It was a lovely morning and everyone got involved.”

On any given day, handballs bounce over Mrs Scarr’s fence from the school yard, followed shortly by students retrieving them.

Mrs Sansom said it didn’t bother their neighbour, who was very gracious with the children.

“Mrs Scarr’s been there by herself for quite some time,” she said.

“In the morning sometimes when teachers are coming in to school she’ll call out to one of them to open a jar for her and things like that because she can’t open them.

“We’re blessed to have someone who’s been on this earth for such a long time, with such rich experiences, as a part of our community.”

It seems the feeling is mutual too.

Mrs Scarr notices the difference when her school family is on holidays and loves having their company throughout the year.

The Scarrs sold part of their land to the growing school about a decade ago so they could extend their premises.