Nevertheless, Macandrew Bay School pupils at least went as far as dressing in period costume yesterday as part of the school's 150th anniversary celebrations.
While the school's beginnings were humble, it has grown from 11 pupils in a barn in 1859, to more than 150 at the present site in Portobello Rd.
Principal Bernadette Newlands said there were still several family connections to settlers in Macandrew Bay who attended the school early in its history.
The earliest connection is Carina Donegan (9), who is the great, great, great granddaughter of James Lewis, the school's second principal.
As with many schools, technology has gradually taken over.
Ms Newlands said Macandrew Bay School had used the fire alarms to call pupils to class for the past 30 years because the school's "real bell" had become unsecured from its mounting.
"The bell was put in the school cellar for 30 years and was nearly thrown out. It got rescued from a skip."
As part of the 150th anniversary, a new mounting had been built so the old bell could be returned to duty, she said.
The school's official celebrations will be held this weekend and will include the official opening of the Bays Walkway at 10am on Saturday, a reunion dinner at Forbury Park Raceway at 6pm and a church service at the Macandrew Bay Public Hall at 11am on Sunday.
