In the early 1970s, a new school quietly took root in the leafy streets of Chermside West. Since then, Craigslea State High School has remained a steady presence in the lives of thousands. It became a place where friendships were made, lessons were learned and the odd lunchtime drama unfolded on the oval.
Now, 50 years on, the school is inviting everyone who walked its halls, and those who cheered from the sidelines, to come back and celebrate the legacy they helped shape.
A Full Circle Moment
On Saturday, 7 June 2025, the school grounds will once again fill with laughter and shared memories, this time for a different reason. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Craigslea SHS will hold a free community showcase that welcomes alumni, families and locals to revisit the past and see what’s changed. Classrooms will be open for guided tours, the stage will come alive with student performances and food trucks will line the grounds offering fuel for the walk down memory lane. The official welcome is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in the school hall.
In a symbolic gesture, a time capsule buried years ago will be unearthed. A new capsule filled with today’s stories, artefacts and inside jokes will take its place for the next generation to discover it.
The Dinner That Feels Like a Reunion
As the sun sets, the celebration will shift to Kedron Wavell RSL, where former students and staff are invited to an evening gala dinner. From 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the event promises conversation, reconnection and a few “remember when” moments.
Tickets are available until 27 May 2025, and organisers are urging people to reach out to old classmates, even if it’s been decades since they last spoke.
Alice Long, a long-time volunteer with the P&C Association, said the school’s unusual name often trips people up. Craigslea SHS isn’t in a suburb called Craigslea, but in Chermside West, just behind Westfield Chermside. That detail has become more relevant than ever as the team tries to reach alumni who may have moved away, changed email addresses or simply lost touch.
Where Are They Now?
As part of Craigslea State High School’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, the school has been spotlighting standout alumni through a series of “Where are they now?” features on social media. One such graduate is Matt Moorcroft, a proud member of the Class of 2006, who has come full circle by returning to Craigslea as a teacher.
Matt rejoined the school in 2015, inspired by the “fantastic teachers” who guided him through his own education. Now a Highly Accomplished Teacher, he teaches Mathematics and plays a key role in Craigslea’s extracurricular life, including the annual ski trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, and coaching in the Craigslea Volleyball Academy.
Reflecting on his school days, Matt recalls formative experiences:
“I still have fond memories of Mr Randall Robertson’s Year 8 camp, Senior PE with Mr Bruce Mann, and the snow trip to Perisher with Ms Janelle Schloss and Ms Kay Braiden,” he said.
He also fondly remembers simpler pleasures, like:
“Eating a pie on a bread roll from the tuckshop at lunch and washing it down with a can of Coke and a Mars Bar from the vending machines in the hall.”
When asked what advice he’d give to current students, Matt said:
“Follow your passions and interests. If you do that, like me, you will find a path that is both enjoyable and rewarding.”
Matt’s story is one of many examples of how Craigslea’s nurturing environment and strong sense of community have shaped the lives of its students. As the school marks five decades of education, stories like his are a powerful reminder of the school’s lasting legacy.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
To support fundraising efforts, an online raffle is running until 7:00 p.m. on the day of the event, featuring over $3,500 in prizes. There’s also a commemorative yearbook: a 130-page keepsake filled with photos, stories and the milestones that defined each decade.
Organisers hope the day isn’t just about looking back, but also about building connections that carry forward. Whether you were part of the Class of ’75 or dropped off a student last week, the message is the same: come along, be part of it, and remember what made Craigslea special in the first place.
Published 26-May-2025
