Pitt Town Public School is preparing to celebrate 150 years of public education with a community fair bringing together present students, families, former pupils and staff.
The anniversary celebration will be held at the Buckingham Street school on Saturday, October 17.
The event will mark a significant milestone for one of the Hawkesbury’s longstanding educational institutions, which was established as a public school in January 1876.
The school is encouraging the community to watch its social-media pages, School Bytes and emails as further information about what it is calling “the event of the year” is released.
Planning for the fair is being supported by the school’s Parents and Citizens Association, which has invited families and community members to become involved.
A history extending beyond 1876
Although Pitt Town Public School dates its official establishment from 1876, organised education in the district began much earlier.
Historical accounts indicate Pitt Town’s first schoolhouse was established around 1814 on what is now Old Pitt Town Road, near the present Anglican burial ground.
That early school was connected to the Anglican Church and operated during the initial decades of European settlement in the Hawkesbury.
After the first schoolhouse was abandoned around 1820, the colonial government purchased a weatherboard building that was converted into a temporary chapel and school.
A third schoolhouse, constructed from brick, followed in 1827 on land reserved for education and a church. The site later became associated with St James’ Anglican Church.
In 1876, Pitt Town entered a new era with the establishment of its first government public school.
Historical records distinguish between the school’s establishment in 1876 and the completion of its purpose-built premises. Accounts indicate that the new schoolhouse was under construction in 1876 and opened in 1878.
The anniversary therefore recognises 150 years since Pitt Town Public School was established within the NSW public education system, while also acknowledging a local educational tradition stretching back more than two centuries.
School remains at heart of growing community
Today, Pitt Town Public School provides coeducational education for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
Its 2026 parent information handbook says the school has approximately 286 students across 12 mainstream classes and one multi-categorical support class.
The school describes itself as a vibrant and positive learning community characterised by enthusiastic students, dedicated staff and strong parental and community support.
It aims to provide comprehensive education in a caring environment while improving student achievement in literacy, numeracy and engagement.
The school identifies lifelong learning, intellectual rigour and positive self-worth among its core values.
Pitt Town has changed considerably during the school’s lifetime, developing from a small agricultural settlement into one of the Hawkesbury’s growing residential communities.
Across those changes, the school has remained an important meeting place and source of connection for generations of local families.
The anniversary fair will provide an opportunity to recognise the teachers, staff, parents and community volunteers who have contributed to the school since 1876.
It will also give former students a chance to revisit the school, renew friendships and share memories with the current generation.
Community invited to participate
Volunteers will be important to the success of the celebration.
The school’s P&C regularly supports fundraising and community activities including sporting-event barbecues, school discos, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, raffles, colour runs and the uniform shop.
Families and community members interested in helping with the anniversary fair can contact the school or connect with its P&C.
Further information about the event program, activities and opportunities for former students to participate is expected to be released closer to the celebration.
The 150th-anniversary fair will be held at Pitt Town Public School, Buckingham Street, Pitt Town, on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The school can be contacted on 4572 3126 or by email at pitttown-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au.
