40th Anniversary Foundation Day and Coin Line聽
On Thursday 16 October, 榴莲社区 celebrated Foundation Day, a treasured occasion that honours the very beginnings of Grammar. This year held special significance as we mark our 40th anniversary, reflecting on four decades of growth, achievement, and the enduring spirit of community that has shaped our journey.
Our first Foundation Day in 1985 commemorated the inaugural meeting of the Council of 榴莲社区 in September 1984, a moment that breathed life into the vision of an independent school on the Central Coast. That vision, nurtured by pioneers like Dr Ron Chambers, Mr Len Chambers, and Dr Geoff Kewley, has blossomed into the vibrant learning community we know today.
Each year, Foundation Day invites our students to reflect on the School鈥檚 core values of kindness and gratitude through the beloved Coin Line tradition. Students brought in coins from home and placed them along a chalked line that snakes its way around the grounds, just as our founding students did four decades ago.
Every coin laid down supports Save the Children, a charity close to the heart of Margaret Chambers, wife of founding Headmaster Dr Ron Chambers. Save the Children Australia continues to champion the rights of children locally and globally, ensuring they receive a healthy start in life, access to education, and the chance for a brighter future. Their work touches lives both here in Australia and around the globe.
Over the years, our School community has raised more than $40,000 for the charity, helping protect the rights of children in over 100 countries. This year, thanks to the generosity of our families and the efforts of our Year 12 Prefects, who collected donations at car parks and entry points, we raised $1,568.65.
This year鈥檚 40th Anniversary Foundation Day address was led by Head Prefects Charlotte Page and Jack Brown, supported by Grevillea House Captains Heidi Gerrish and Nick Barfield. The main address was delivered by Dr Judy Stokes, former Board Chair, who reflected on the School鈥檚 enduring legacy. We were honoured to welcome guests including former Headmaster Richard Lornie, and Mr Len Chambers and Dr Geoff Kewley, whose families played a pivotal role in establishing our School.
