Lane Cove Public School’s most famous alumnus, Nicole Kidman, has sent a special birthday message to her former primary school for its 150th birthday celebrations.
Nicole Kidman may be in Greece for her latest film project, but Lane Cove Public School’s 150th official anniversary celebration, held at the school last Friday, prompted a very special birthday message from the mega star.
This was after a huge campaign was launched by the school to invite Nicole as a guest of honour at the birthday celebrations.
The school’s most famous alumnus sent a video expressing regret for her absence at the school’s celebration but wishing the school well for its 150th anniversary which coincided with Public Education Week celebrations across the state.
In the video, Nicole said she was “so grateful that I went to such a great school”.
“I wish I could be with you. I wanted to say congratulations on the 150-year anniversary of Lane Cove Public School. Amazing. What a milestone,” she said.
“I remember running around that playground. I made friends that I am still friends with now, so it shows you how important school is.”
According to her former Year 6 teacher, Nicole was an outstanding, diligent student who was very strong in the creative arts.
Beyond famous former students, like Nicole Kidman and television journalist Peter Overton, the school has been a community hub for the past 150 years, with a long history of academic excellence.
Top: Channel 9 Newsreader, Peter Overton on stage at the school’s birthday celebrations; and Bottom: Principal, Terry McKinnon, among the next generation of Lane Cove Public School “stars”; Year 5 students, Newsha Aryaie and Lucy Scott and Year 3 student, Isabelle O’Donnell. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2023.
For principal Terry McKinnon, the 150-year milestone is, above all, a chance to recognise the people who make the school what it is.
“I’m most proud of our students. They’re extremely friendly, extremely hardworking, and really creative individuals,” he said.
“I’m really proud of our staff as well, who do an immense job teaching all our students.”
“We’ve got incredible teachers and we’ve historically been really strong in the creative arts and sport. We’ve seen that come through from our alumni, and it’s something we’re proud to still be doing today,” Mr McKinnon said.
Television journalist, Peter Overton, and Lane Cove Public School Principal, Terry McKinnon. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2023.
It’s a sentiment echoed by the school’s students, many of whom point to the breadth of opportunities on offer as their favourite part of school life.
“I really like how there are really good activities you can get involved with — School Spectacular, Pulse Alive, choir and band — and also the activities that you do in class time, like performing arts, technology, and Mandarin,” Year 5 student Lucy said.
Year 3 student, Isabelle, said there were so many kind people at the school that she always had a friend to go to, a sentiment shared by Year 5 student Newsha.
“It’s an amazing school. The staff are always really nice, and they always help you if you have any problems. And my friends, they’re the best friends I’ve ever had, and they’re from the school,” she said.
Lane Cove Public School celebrated 150 years of academic, creative and sporting success with dramatic and musical performances, a full-school assembly, historical displays and birthday cake.
Main image: Lane Cove Public School alumnus Nicole Kidman … sending her best wishes for her beloved old school’s 150th Anniversary celebrations from the Greek Island of Santorini. © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2023.
