TERALBA Public is celebrating the return of a cherished tradition, after students raised funds to purchase a new school bell to replace one stolen two years ago.
The Newcastle Herald reported in April 2018 the theft of the 60 kilogram, 130 year old bell, which had been at the school since it opened in the late 1800s and had recently been restored and relocated to the top of a pole in the playground.
Principal Richard Metcalf said its whereabouts remained a "mystery" and he was still asked about the theft more than two years later.
"The last bell would have cost very little but it meant a lot to the community," he said.
Outgoing year six students ring the bell together on the last day of school.
"I did not realise how much it meant until it was not here."
Mr Metcalf said the school introduced a hand-held bell, "but it has not been the same".
Year six captain and dux Jasmine agreed. She'd seen her older sister Savannah miss out on ringing the old bell when she left in 2018.
Mr Metcalf said Jasmine told him year six students wanted to buy a new bell as their fundraising project. They held a series of events to raise part of the $1800 needed, including selling milkshakes and hot dogs and out of uniform days.
Jasmine donated $100 she won in a writing competition and members of the 2019 year six cohort said their funds could also go to the purchase.
She researched a replacement and found a 12-inch brass ship bell in Queensland.
The school unveiled the bell last week.
"It was definitely a tear jerker, there was lot of gasps and cheering."
It was installed on Tuesday, before being rung on Wednesday.
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