Newcastle East Primary School has lost much of its 200-year history.
The presence of asbestos in the school's buildings "resulted in the destruction of virtually all the school's archival collection of documents and photos", former principal John Beach said.
John urged people to dig out their old school records to help re-establish an archival collection for posterity.
"For all the families associated with Newcastle East Public School over many years, we would ask you to dig up anything recording the school's history," he said.
This includes old photographs and documents relating to, for example, the history of students, staff and events at the school.
"It's about social history too - letters, play night programs and newspaper articles can reveal much information about how society and schools functioned in 'the olden days'.
"Any resources gathered can help compensate for those items that had to be thrown out due to contamination."
They will also be a resource for historians and family history researchers.
"We don't keep your things, we just take high resolution digital pics, as well as gather a little information about dates from you.
"We don't need photos from the digital age, we have those digital files of class photos."
The plan is to build a website of pictures and documents accessible to the public, but particularly for former students and staff and those researching family history.
John said video interviews would be done with former students and community members, who have "a good recollection of interesting times at the school".
The school will be open for the weekend of May 8 and 9 for old photos, documents and other records to be digitally copied.
"There will be the opportunity to have a nostalgic roam around the beautiful school grounds, too," he said.
The school is Australia's oldest.
"Its history is closely linked to our national history."
On The Money
Sticking with schools, students in Lake Macquarie are working in a market garden to fill orders placed by their parents.
Toronto Adventist School students grow the seasonal vegetables and also harvest, weigh and bundle them for sale.
They collect money, calculate change, bag orders, record and graph sales and write their activities in a journal.
The aim is to help children learn about money matters.
Avondale University College research shows the experience is "a positive way to help children learn about financial literacy".
This is important because financial literacy helps children "deal with finances in a way that brings security and stability".
A qualitative study, led by Dr Peter Williams from Avondale Business School and published in an education journal, listed the benefits of the market garden.
These include money transaction skills, a practical application of financial literacy and a transfer of financial concepts and skills from school to home.
It is essentially preparing them for "participation in economic life".
As the old saying goes, "Money isn't everything, but you can't live without it".
Jokes of the Day
Why was a ladder needed at school? Because some students were going to high school.
What's a teacher's favourite nation? Expla-nation.
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