Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman marked the 150th anniversary of Lane Cove Public School on Sydney’s Lower North Shore with a recorded message sent from Santorini, Greece, on Friday, August 7, 2026. The milestone celebration drew hundreds of alumni, including former school captain Peter Overton.
Sydney School Marks Sesquicentenary With Global Reach
Lane Cove Public School celebrated its 150th anniversary with an open day that brought hundreds of former teachers, students, and community members back to the New South Wales campus on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. Established in 1876, the institution has educated children, growing from its early roots into a campus of roughly 800 students with a strong focus on creative arts and music.
The official anniversary fell on January 14, but the formal celebrations culminated in a heavily attended open day on Friday, August 7, 2026. The historic grounds feature a classroom block constructed in 1891 that stands alongside modern two-storey teaching wings, bridging the gap between colonial-era Sydney and the present day.
Nicole Kidman Sends Greetings From Santorini
Among the school’s most celebrated alumni, Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman could not attend in person, instead toasting the milestone from Santorini, Greece. Her video message was played to a packed school hall while ABC News captured the moment.
Kidman’s appearance fulfilled hopes raised by a student-led social media campaign. Current students had posted a video invitation urging the Oscar winner to return to her alma mater. Kidman later told Network 10 that the gesture was the sweetest thing ever
and promised to try to make the date work.
“I remember running around that playground. I made friends that I’m still friends with now … and I’m so grateful that I went to such a great school.”
Nicole Kidman, alumnus
Classmates and Alumni Reflect on Decades Past
The open day served as a major reunion for alumni spanning multiple generations. Channel Nine presenter Peter Overton, who served as school captain in 1977, returned to the campus nearly five decades after leading the student body.
“You know when I first came here? 55 years ago. I have so many happy memories of this school.”
Peter Overton, school captain in 1977, via ABC
Overton shared memories of teachers he remembered from his youth and told the audience that Kidman, his close friend, had wanted to attend the celebration in person. Meredith Lucas, another classmate who attended the school from kindergarten to year six between 1973 and 1979 alongside Kidman, also returned for the sesquicentenary.
“It was a very close knit school and community and we sang in the choir together. I applaud her for all her successes. She’s a natural talent, she’s a hard worker, she came from a good family and a good community. And I have watched her career from afar and I feel like she’s done amazingly well in a very tough environment, being film and media.”
Meredith Lucas, former classmate
Principal Terry McKinnon Welcomes the Milestone
School principal Terry McKinnon praised the turnout and expressed pride in the institution’s enduring community spirit. He noted that Kidman’s recorded greeting arrived just before the event.
“It came in very late today and we were very happy to play it. It’s great to hear from all our alumni, but particularly Nicole after we invited her to this event. We’re extremely proud of her, as we are of all our alumni.”
Terry McKinnon, Principal
As clips of the hall screening circulated across Australian and international entertainment coverage, the local milestone extended far beyond the Lower North Shore. With the school’s centenary book securely held in the National Library of Australia and its newest messages arriving via digital transmission from the Aegean Sea, Lane Cove Public School’s 150th year demonstrated how a historic public institution bridges local community tradition with global reach.
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