Two performances on September 16 showcased the culmination of an entire term of hard work, creativity and commitment from JPS students and staff.
For the students, the journey began long before the curtain opened.
Over the term, they learnt lines, developed their speaking and acting skills, rehearsed scenes, perfected timing and mastered the many stage entries and exits needed to bring the production together.
With every rehearsal, their confidence grew as they learnt that putting on a production requires more than remembering what to say - it takes teamwork, persistence, flexibility, and plenty of courage.
Behind the scenes, JPS's small but mighty staff took on just about every role imaginable - from directing scenes and organising costumes to managing props, coordinating backstage movements and keeping students motivated through weeks of rehearsals, it was a genuine whole-school effort.
On performance day, every team member had an important part to play.
What made Back to Jerilderie particularly special was that Jerilderie itself was the star of the show.
Audiences travelled through time and met some of the remarkable characters connected to the town's history, including Sir John Monash and Ned Kelly, before returning to present-day Jerilderie and celebrating the local heroes who continue to contribute to the community and make the town what it is today.
For teaching principal and production director Laura Keech, choosing to tell Jerilderie's own story brought with it both excitement and a few nerves.
“There was definitely some pressure in creating a production about Jerilderie for a Jerilderie audience,” Mrs Keech said.
“Our locals know their history, their people and their town incredibly well, so bringing those stories to the stage was a little nerve-racking.
“But our staff and students embraced the idea from the very beginning.
“Watching the community beam with pride after each performance made every rehearsal, every costume change and every rewritten line completely worthwhile.
“It reminded us that Jerilderie isn't just a place on a map - it is the people, stories and connections that make this community so special," Mrs Keech said.
The two performances were an opportunity not only to showcase the talents of JPS students, but also to celebrate the strong connection between the school and its community.
For a small rural school, it was a production with a very big heart - one built over a term of rehearsals, teamwork, laughter, problem-solving and determination.
After travelling backwards and forwards through time, there really was only one place to finish - Back to Jerilderie.
