In 2023 we are celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the creation of a unique ACT school system.

The appointment of the Interim ACT Schools Authority Council members on 8 October 1973 led to the creation of a new public school system in the ACT, independent of the NSW Education Department, and radically different in structure, governance, and curriculum to any other school system in Australia.

As part of our celebrations, we want to hear from ACT public school staff, students, administrators, and community members to capture your stories of our schools.

A program of events and activities will be held throughout the year to recognise the rich history of our public education system, celebrate our successes and look forward to what our education system strives to be over the next 50 years.

Each month we focused on a different decade of the ACT school system.

We loved hearing about your memories of ACT public schools through the decades. Thank you for your contribution.

Submissions have now closed.

Throughout 2023 we are celebrating 50 years of public education in the ACT. This milestone recognises the 50 year anniversary of the day the Interim ACT Schools Authority officially took over the administration role from the Commonwealth for all ACT Government schools.

The ACT Education Directorate will curate and moderate the information provided. Your information may be used to create a public online chronicle on the ACT Education Directorate website and physical exhibition of ACT public school history.

Note: Under the Territory Records Act 2002 all submissions will be classified as official ACT Territory records*.

We ask that you provide permission to use your photos, stories or artefacts** on the YourSay platform and on ACT Government websites, social channels, public displays and video products.

*Defines records as ‘information created and kept, or received and kept, as evidence and information by a person in accordance with a legal obligation or in the course of conducting business’.

**Permission is required for all uploaded submissions.

Images on this page are courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A8739, A27/5/76/8.