HISTORY TIMELINE - THE FIRST DECADE
When the first bell rang back in February 1997, those first 34 students and three teachers could never have imagined the journey that had begun.
25 years, thousands of students, hundreds of staff, and many building projects later, Cedar College has grown immeasurably, thanks to those humble beginnings in 1997.
In 2021, Cedar College celebrates 25 incredible years of education. It is exciting to see our graduates continue their studies and careers in ways we could never imagine. And now, some of those graduates are enrolling their own children at Cedar College.
To begin your journey into the history of Cedar College, click on the decade below, and scroll through the years. We trust that this online history book brings back many many fond memories.
Click on a Decade below to begin exploring! #ThatsMyYear
The First Decade
FROM 1997 - 2006
THE FIRST DECADE
1997-1998
First Day
The first day of Cedar College began in 1997 on the old Department of Agriculture Research and Development property.
Thirty-four nervous, but excited, students and two teachers – Mr Peter Thomson (Principal and Year 3-5 teacher) and Mrs Julia Higgins (R-2 teacher) attended the first day of school.
The opening assembly was held in the Cafeteria and classes were held in what would eventually become the Primary School Computing classroom.
Mrs Elizabeth Crawford, Mrs Jenny Marshall and Mrs Diane Rose were volunteer teachers in the two classrooms, and the first computer room held old Amstrad computers. Chapel times were held in the Library, with Mr Thomson playing guitar, the students singing and Pastor Rick Sirico sharing a message.
The school joined with Portside Christian School for their Sports Day, and another enjoyable activity for students was playing in the newly-created sandpit, which held all 34 students at once! In December, to mark the inaugural year, each family planted a tree along the front of the property.
THE FIRST DECADE
1999-2000
One of the highlights of the school year in 1998 was the addition of a second-hand playground, which has remained a popular place for students during Recess and Lunch.
Other highlights throughout the year included a trip to Edinburgh Air Force Base, and the establishment of Cedar’s first basketball teams.
1998 also saw the inaugural Cedar College Sports Day, which saw Badman team defeat Early team, and also the establishment of the school’s very first Library, by Mrs Kathy George.
Space to Play
Cedar’s second year had three classes, with Mrs Karin Barker joining the inaugural teachers.
THE FIRST DECADE
1999-2000
Farewell Year 7s
Cedar’s very first Prefects were appointed in 1999: Braden Lloyd and Ruth Dixon.
The School’s facilities mainly consisted of transportable buildings, which were student classrooms, and the existing double-storey Administration block that housed the library and offices.
A highlight of 1999 was the school camp to Mylor. Cedar also held its second Sports Day, with Early team balancing the ledger to gain their first win.
The year ended on a high, yet sad, note with the graduation dinner of the first Year 7 students.
The Year 7s needed to move to other High Schools, as Cedar was still only a Primary School.
1999-2000
THE FIRST DECADE
What is now the current Primary School Digital Technologies building, originally housed the Reception and Year 1-2 classrooms.
Mrs Hohneck became the Year 3-4 teacher and Mrs Marshall taught Years 5, 6 and 7, both classrooms being in what would become the original CLIC building.
The additional staff allowed Mr Thomson to spend more of his time as Principal, with Mrs Thomson becoming the school secretary. During this time, rennovations also began on the upstairs classrooms.
The 2000s
Cedar’s teaching staff continued to grow in the year of the Sydney Olympics, and there were now two buildings used as classrooms.
THE FIRST DECADE
2001-2002
Slowly Growing
In 2001, two more classrooms were established in what would later become the High School Science Laboratories.
Cedar had an official Front Office, sharing it with Oakden Baptist Church, and the temporary toilet block was replaced with new change-rooms and toilets, which, along with the first Canteen, were welcome additions to the school.
Cedar students began sponsoring a Compassion Child from Tanzania. In the years that followed, the Primary and High School continued to sponsor a number of children in need around the world.
Cedar’s Interschool sporting history began by joining with Riverland Christian School to compete in the school’s first Interschool competition.
THE FIRST DECADE
2001-2002
The Primary School was slowly growing, with five different classes, teaching eight year levels.
This was the year Cedar started to excel at Interschool sporting events, taking out some firsts, setting a new record and generally performing above expectations for such a small school.
Computing, Indonesian and Choir were all introduced to Cedar during 2002, and Cedar’s camp was held at Woodside, with lots of fun, culminating in a memorable camp concert.
Five Classes
Still a small school, Cedar College was gradually adding new classes as the pioneering students moved up each year.
THE FIRST DECADE
2003-2004
Next Steps
In 2003, a sixth class was added and the school reached a milestone 100 students, as preparations began for expansion.
Developing the High School was an important step in Mr Thomson’s vision for the school. In mid-2003, Mr Fjording joined Cedar in order to prepare for the commencement of Middle School the following year.
During 2003, the Year 5, 6 and 7 students constructed a large model of the Vickers Vimy aeroplane.
The model was featured on Channel 9 News and was displayed in the High School stairwell until 2013, when it found a home the new Resource Centre.
In the sporting arena, Cedar’s basketball team, “Cedar Mustangs” won the school’s first-ever Grand Final, while on the building front, new classrooms and toilet blocks for Year 3, 4 and 5 classes were completed.
2003-2004
THE FIRST DECADE
Cedar commenced High School on the first floor of the old Administration building in 2004, with two Middle School classes.
The new red jumpers made the older students stand out, and gave them a sense of identity as the first Cedar College High School students.
The Primary School also continued to grow and change under the guidance of Mr Thomson.
2004 marked the first year that classes were double-streamed, with two classes starting in Reception.
High School
The launch of the High School was a big, but necessary step to take, in order to continue to grow the school.
THE FIRST DECADE
2005-2006
Cedar’s inaugural four-team Sports Day was held in perfect weather and went off without a hitch. Team names were those of four famous Australian sports identities – Bradman, Laver, Gould and Jackson.
Bradman was the inaugural winner in the Primary School, with Laver taking out honours in the Middle School’s first Athletics Carnival.
A 15-year building Master Plan was developed to guide the school through a time of exceptional growth, with a new Year 2 classroom block added, along with a new sports equipment shed and the relocation of the Uniform Shop.
Master Plan
The High School developed further in subjects such as Home Economics, Science, Technical Studies, Art, Drama and Music.
THE FIRST DECADE
2005-2006
10 Years
In September 2006, Cedar College celebrated its 10th Anniversary.
Part of the celebrations included a video made by Mr Thomson, featuring the whole school of 318 students and 38 staff gathered on the Oval.
The Junior Primary (R-2) had two classes in each year level, and the High School had its first Senior School class of Year 10s.
Cedar’s sporting success continued, when the Primary School won the SACSA Athletics Challenge Shield.
Music success was also achieved, with Cedar awarded first place for the vocal ensemble at the Strathalbyn Eisteddfod.
HISTORY TIMELINE - THE FIRST DECADE