General News
27 February, 2026
Special memorial comes together
WITH renovations at Camperdown College’s junior campus now complete, students are being encouraged to bring in stones to construct a cairn.
A cairn is a mound of rough stones created to serve as a memorial or landmark and will be used to commemorate the new-look campus following the grand opening on Thursday, March 5.
Assistant principal Jacinta Tolland said the cairn wouldmark the beginning of a new space for the school and will be constructed by the students under the guidance of stonemason Alistair Tune.
“To create the cairn, representatives from each class will be invited to bring one small stone or rock from their local area or home,” she said.
“This will help ensure that the cairn reflects the full breadth of the community from which our students come.
“The cairn will be built on a cement base with an original blue stone from the original school building which burnt down in 1965, linking our past with the future of the junior campus.
“Moving forward, the cairn will serve as an important marker for our college as it will honour the long history of our school, acknowledge the Indigenous history of the land and the ongoing care of Country and create a shared, meaningful memory for students as they take part in this celebration.”
Students will lay their stones around the foundation stone at the opening event before working with Mr Tune to construct the cairn.
Ms Tolland said students were encouraged to find a stone or rock no larger than their forearm, with smaller stones appreciated to fill the gaps created by the larger stones and rocks.
“Stones can be brought to school any time up until Thursday, March 5 and should be placed in students’ classrooms,” Ms Tolland said.
“Stones have been chosen deliberately for this activity.
“Stones connect us to place and Country – each stone is unique, just as every student is unique.
“When brought together, the stones form something strong and lasting, reflecting how learning and community are built over time and across generations.
“We look forward to sharing this meaningful moment with our students as part of the refurbishment opening.”
The opening ceremony will commence at 11am, with all invited to attend.
Read More: Camperdown