Deniliquin South School’s beginnings date back to September 14, 1956.
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It is the day 110 students from the George Street School made the historic walk to their new school grounds.
Then known as the Sloane Street School, the site had originally been gazetted for a high school.
A staff of four, led by principal Mr Arthur Lewis, who served as principal for the school's first 12 years, took charge of the junior classes, including Kindergarten.
As enrolments grew, classes were accommodated in a number of temporary locations while the Department of Education provided additional facilities.
These included Mr Cockayne's Hall in 1958, Buffalo Hall in 1962 and the Presbyterian Hall between 1964 and 1967.
In 1968, a brick building containing three classrooms and a new toilet block was constructed.
A portable library was installed in 1977, and an administration block was added in 1981, marking the school's 25th year.
Another big investment came in 2009, when the school received a $2 million Federal Government grant to build a new school hall. It was officially opened on November 26, 2010.
Over the years, the school has also received funding for playground equipment and other facility improvements.
This included upgrades funded by the NSW Government's Cooler Classrooms Program and LED Lighting Upgrade Program, delivering more efficient and modern classroom facilities.
The school also continued to expand its learning opportunities, introducing interactive technologies in all classrooms and strengthening programs focused on academic achievement and student wellbeing.
In 2024, Deniliquin South Public School was selected as the site for a new public preschool, part of the NSW Government's historic investment in 100 new public preschools across the state.
Construction has now been completed and, by happy coincidence, the keys were handed over to the school on the very same day it marked its 70th anniversary.
The preschool is expected to open for students from next term, catering for up to 40 children per day. An official start date has not yet been confirmed.
Day to day, South School students, staff and families have long taken pride in their strong reputation for community involvement.
Students regularly participated in local events, sporting programs and leadership opportunities while fostering strong partnerships with families and the wider Deniliquin community.
To mark the school’s 70th birthday, special activities have been hosted at the school this week and will continue next term.
This week started with an open classrooms opportunity for families, and traditional games from the early school days have been enjoyed by all during the recess and lunch breaks.
Organised by the stage three students, the games have included skittles, tic-tac-toe using rope and counters, quoits and the age-old pastime of skipping.
Replicating an image produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2006, students also gathered on the oval this week in the shape of the number 70 for a milestone photo.
The method was somewhat simpler this year than 20 years ago, however, with the image taken by drone instead of a photographer flying overhead in a plane.
The school has also marked the birthday week by hosting two runs of its annual school production, on Wednesday and Thursday night.
Engraved anniversary bricks - sponsored by South School supporters and families - will be added to the school grounds over the spring school holidays, after which another celebration with the donors will be held.
Former Deni South alumni have also been reflecting on their school days this week, including popular Australia cricketer turned media personality and commentator Adam Gilchrist.
His father Stan was a science teacher and school inspector, and his work allowed Adam to attend Deni South from 1979 to 1983.
Adam played a key role when the school participated in the school’s first Brian Taber Shield for NSW primary schools - which South won.
Due to his connection with the school, and his stellar cricket career after school, the school oval was named Gilchrist Oval in his honour.
In a special message shared with the school community on Monday - organised with the help of Jamie Tasker and Wayne Bradley - Adam recalled that great achievement and more memories.
“Our family’s time in Deni was beautiful. I had my whole primary school years at Deni South. Loved it; fond memories, great friends I still keep in touch with.
“I can still even remember the school song. Just churn it around in my head occasionally - all about looking ahead and making sure you’re going forward. What a great motto.
“Sloane St was unreal - the facilities there, the opportunities.
“To any of the young kids that are at the school at the moment, just understand you’ve got a wonderful opportunity to try pretty much anything and everything.
“I even had a crack on a stage in the school play - The Rat Catcher’s Daughter, I think it was called. I had a little solo to sing.
“What I worked out as a stage performer; I’m a really good cricket. So that made me focus on my sporting dreams.
“We did well there too, Deni South. We managed to win the Taber Shield, the knockout, taking on all and sundry across the state - even the city team - so a big notch in the belt for a little regional, country town.
“To all the teachers, the former principals and everyone involved, celebrate well. Congratulations, it’s a great achievement.”
• The Deniliquin Pastoral Times is working with Deniliquin South School to produce a commemorative feature marking the school’s anniversary. It will include histories and coverage of the anniversary celebrations, and will be produced in October. Keep your eyes peeled.