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Time capsule opened as former teachers and students farewell Benalla P12 Clarke St campus

Former teachers and students had a great time looking over old class photos and memorabilia at the open day to mark the Benalla P-12 College Clarke St campus’ closure. Photo by Simon Ruppert

On Monday, December 2, former teachers and students had one last chance to visit Benalla P-12 College’s Clarke St campus.

With the site closing at the end of term, some students will go into the college’s high school campus on Faithfull St, while younger students will join one of the school's junior campuses.

Acting Assistant Principal Ann Hansen said it was lovely to see so many people come to the open day.

“We didn't think we'd have many people,” she said.

“We thought we might get 20 turn up. But then we got more and more of these fabulous phone calls from former students and teachers.

Benalla P-12 College’s Clarke St campus was full on Monday, December 2 as former staff and students visited for the last time. Photo by Simon Ruppert

“And they all told us their stories about their time at Clarke St.”

At the start of the event a time capsule buried in 1985 was dug up.

“That was the highlight,” Ms Hansen said.

“It was all in perfect condition, water hadn’t got in.

“We weren’t 100 per cent sure where it was, so it took some digging.

There was plenty of memorabilia for former staff and students of Benalla P-12 College to look through. Photo by Simon Ruppert

“All the children gathered around, and we started pulling out all the things from the time capsule, which was really great.

“There were letters in there from students at the time, and the principal, and different pieces of writing the students had done.

“They said things like ‘I will be 58 by the time you read this’.”

The school had a display of old class photos and different work undertaken by students throughout the years.

All in attendance were enthralled looking at all the memories.