PEAKHURST South Public School hides a 50-year-old secret.
Trouble is, nobody knows what it is.
Buried within the school grounds are several time capsules, but the location of the original one has puzzled students and teachers for five decades.
To mark the school's golden anniversary this year, another was buried during the school's recent open day.
This time, the exact location was noted.
The first capsule was buried in 1963, soon after the school opened with 142 pupils from Penshurst West, Mortdale, Peakhurst West and Lugarno public schools.
Children clutched Vegemite and cheese Saos and watched in awe as it was sealed and buried for posterity.
Rumour has it that it lies in a nature reserve or in the garden bed under the window of the ex-principal's office, while others swore it was placed in a brick wall under the old school bell or under the flagpole.
Former students also claimed it was buried behind the toilet block of the infants department.
"The mystery of our missing time capsule is a curious one," said Helen Hardie, a member of the school's P&C.
"One thing we know for certain is that one was buried outside our library. It was dug up in 2000, but was unfortunately destroyed by ants.
"It seems this mystery will have to remain a mystery."
The new capsule was buried in the playground and will be marked with a paved pathway.
The school celebrates its anniversary with a fete on August 31 and a dinner dance on September 31.
Do you know where the first capsule was buried?
