BMG 2020 Grammarian Issue 3

9 MY MEMORIES FROM 30 YEARS AT BMG I started teaching at this school straight out of University some 30 years ago. In those days, the school was on its original site in Hallett’s Way and was literally some portables in the middle of a paddock. In my first year I taught a composite Year 4/5/6 class and Mrs Lucas taught Prep/1/2 and 3! Yes, there were only 2 classes in Junior School. At that stage we were Bacchus Marsh College, however, we changed our name to Bacchus Marsh Grammar as we kept receiving the Secondary College’s mail and they received ours. We were very scarce on supplies and received little funding from the Government. I clearly recall holding a Prep to Year 6 Assembly to show the students the new and only trundle wheel we had been able to purchase. We were all so excited! I recall the excitement when we were notified the school had obtained the Maddingley site, and staff spent many weekends with the school families painting and preparing the buildings to move to the new site. Wilson Hall still remains one of the original buildings. The changes I have seen in my 30 years at this school make me feel as if I have taught at 6 different schools. I am now teaching children of past students which makes me feel very old, but also very warm and happy inside. I have been so fortunate in my life to have obtained a teaching position here when I was so young and inexperienced. I have always been given so much support from the school community to enable me to become the teacher and person I am. I only hope I am managing to give back some of that in my varying roles which I hold currently. I love this school! – Mrs Jan Loftus, Assistant Principal 1991 Mining huts CONVERTED TO CLASSROOMS The Gardening groups WITH GENEROUS BUDGETS OF $100 ANNUALLY JAN LOFTUS REFLECTION