The first students were housed at the Old Wellington Street Square School for the first 12 months while the £320,000 site was under construction.

It was officially opened on April 28, 1966, and original student Chrissie Green (nee Button) said the school grounds were completely different 50 years ago, when she shifted from Launceston High in year 8.

Students had to remove their shoes after breaks because of the clay conditions outside until topsoil was laid and water had to be carted in from a nearby reservoir.

"It was a brand new school and everything was clay, there was no fields or anything like that," she said.

"Because it was a smaller school all the teachers knew your name and everybody was friends, it was a nice family atmosphere.

"I feel privileged to be among the first lot and see how it has progressed.

"We didn't have a gym in those days, we used to have our PE classes in front of what was the canteen and we certainly didn't have any computers or stuff like that . . . they have got far greater opportunities now."

Mrs Green keeps in contact with friends from the initial years and will attend the celebrations at the school on September 18 and 19.

There are now more than 400 students at the outer Launceston school, however, its eagle symbol and green and gold uniform colours remain.

Principal Cary Stocks, whose father Grant Stocks previously taught at the school, said a sub-committee of past and present staff and students had been working towards the celebrations since last year.

The two-day festivities will included an anniversary assembly, school tours and evening celebration.

"Over the course of 50 years it is easy for people currently involved in the school to not be aware of the history that's gone by," Mr Stocks said.

"It's not only important to recognise that history but finding out about it is important to keep it going because many people in years to come will have passed on and some of that history will be lost.

"It is a really important part of school culture and school community."