They may be decades older - and significantly stiffer - but one group of former Warrawong High School students took to the handball court when the school opened its doors on Saturday.
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Harking back to the good ol' days the group of 50-somethings hit a tennis ball around the quad, as more than 100 visitors toured the school's high-tech classrooms and new facilities, in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
Among them was former Warrawong High School head of science Laurie Bridge, who was impressed by the changes to the school since he finished teaching in 1999.
"There's a fairly hi-tech commercial kitchen that didn't exist in my time and [a construction workshop] in the industrial arts centre, and just the lack of blackboards was a big difference," Mr Bridge said.
"They were showing us some computer-generated stuff, which was very interesting and fairly daunting at the same time - I don't think I could keep up now."
Since Mr Bridge finished his 26-year stint at the school, interactive whiteboards have replaced many of the traditional blackboards and a multifunctional sports centre and fitness studio has been built.
The front oval has also been converted into a permaculture garden, with an outdoor kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven.
Deputy principal Jenny Flowers, who was among the troupe of current teachers who opened the school for the special celebration, said the changing face of education was a real talking point for many visitors.
"The general buzz from past students was that it was fantastic to see the changes over the last 40 years and the how great the facilities are now, with all this new technology," Mrs Flowers said.
"The feel of the day was just great; there was a real buzz in the school and it was a really beautiful blend of young and old who attended."
Pictured: Looking over some Warrawong High School memorabilia are, from left, former head of science Laurie Bridge, deputy principal Jenny Flowers and former student Annette Mead. The school's 40th anniversary was celebrated on Saturday. Photohttps://silverstone.fairfaxregional.com.au/story/1174655/%3Ciframe%20src=%22//www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FIllawarramerc&width=292&height=62&colorscheme=light&show_faces=false&border_color&stream=false&header=true%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20style=%22border:none;%20overflow:hidden;%20width:292px;%20height:62px;%22%20allowTransparency=%22true%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E : ROBERT PEET
