On Wednesday, September 11, former and current staff, students, and community members gathered to celebrate 50 years of Early Childhood Education at Allora P-10 State School.
In 1974, Mrs. Joyce Gibson, a long-serving teacher, helped establish the Preschool center, one of the first in Queensland. Preschool education was a new idea, not just for Allora but for the entire state. The first class started on September 9, 1974. Some original students, including Frank Strachotta, Carol Halton (nee Fredericks), Paul and Tanya Gordon (nee Sparksman), and Garry Shooter, attended the celebration. The inaugural class included grandparents and relatives of current students and staff.
Carla Wheatley (nee Frizzell), a former student and school captain, cut the 25th-anniversary cake in 1999. For the 50th celebration, Mrs. Joyce Gibson cut the cake, which was generously donated by Mrs. Jo Stevens from Westside Bakery in Warwick.
When the Preschool first opened, it was separated from the rest of the school by a white picket fence and operated independently. The focus was on play-based education, recognizing that play helps young children learn about themselves and the world. It was never meant to be just preparation for school. Today, the fences are gone, and Preschool has evolved into Prep, which now includes a rigorous academic program. This prepares students for Year 1 and Year 2 as part of Early Childhood Education. Year 3 is no longer included in the Early Years program.
The school community acknowledges the many teachers and teacher aides who have contributed to the success of Early Childhood Education at Allora P-10 State School over the past 50 years. There is confidence that this success will continue well into the future.