Acting principal Jennie Droge says special activities are planned for throughout the year to celebrate the milestone. "I'm sure our students, and our new preps in particular, are looking forward to a year full of celebration," she said.

Sixty pupils were enrolled when the school opened in 1860, only one year after the city of Footscray was established. The oldest existing building on the site on the corner of Geelong Road and Barkly Street - a bluestone theatrette - was built in 1868.

Ms Droge said the school was very different for the 190 pupils enrolled today.

"We are a very multicultural school, with over 30 different language backgrounds in our parent community. We recognise the children's backgrounds wherever possible and the curriculum has a strong internationalism and global focus." The school runs an International Baccalaureate primary program of inquiry-based learning and a bilingual Vietnamese program.

Ms Droge urged former students and staff to get in contact for the celebrations.

For information or to contribute memorabilia, contact the school on 96871910 or footscrayps@edumail.vic.gov.au