SUTHERLAND Shire's first school — Como Public — is celebrating its 130th anniversary.
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The primary school, nestled on the shore of the Georges River and surrounded by gumtrees, opened in April 1884.
It was known as "Worinora School" and had 85 pupils, one classroom, a cloak room and a verandah.
The name was changed only a month later, but in 1885, the school closed when the Como-Sutherland section of the railway line was completed and families of workers moved away.
It was not until January 1921 that the school made a comeback.
With books under their arms and satchels swung over their shoulders, pupils came by boat from East Menai (now Illawong), from "The Bonnet" (Como West) and other surrounding areas.
Children sewed, sang and grew beans, beetroot and chillies in the garden as they tucked into a greasy rissole, sherbet cone or a spiral musk stick.
There was an air-raid shelter covered with iron and sandbags which was dug into the boundary of the school, and pupils wore rubber ear plugs and mouthpieces to protect their teeth from any bomb blasts.
The school is creating a memorial wall on the office building, with mounted engraved plaques.
The $50 plaques will honour past and present pupils.
Money raised will be used for a new playground.
Details: 9528 9003.
