Jilliby Public School was declared open by Mr William Baldwin on the 5th May 1889. The Bunya Bunya Pine which graces the front of the school and is its emblem was planted way back then by Mr Baldwin.
Mr William Ross was appointed to the school in 1908. During his time the school was damaged by fire, however Mr Ross continued to teach in the damaged building. Mr Ross focused upon beautifying the school grounds gaining trees and shrubs from the Botanical Gardens in Sydney.
Mr David Lloyd-Jones became Jilliby's newest teacher in 1915, it was also in this year that the first P&C was formed. Apart from fund raising the P&C fought fiercely to obtain a teacher's residence at Jilliby as the roads from Wyong were extremely poor.
Due to Mr Lloyd-Jones' ill health and the inability of casual teachers to travel to Jilliby the school closed for 3 months in 1921.
Mr Clarence Costello took the teaching position at Jilliby in 1925 and was followed by Mr George Hicks who served for 6 six years from 1927.
Mr Sydney Trautwein was the teacher in charge from 1933-1946. During this time student numbers varied from 16 to 39. In 1938, 23 library books were received from the Coronation Library and were borrowed by students each term.
1947 saw the arrival of a new teacher, Mr John McLean. During his time a Wireless was purchased for students to listen to news, music and short stories. Although Mr McLean was a casual teacher he stayed at the school for 3 years until Mr Bertie Williams arrived and only stayed for 1 year.
1951 saw the arrival of Jilliby Public School's longest serving teacher, Mr Jack Britt who devoted 27 years of his life to the school. Mr Britt developed a high respect amongst students and developed a whole new love for the 3 R's. During the 27 years that Mr Britt taught at the school the cane was only used twice.
Mr Britt made the addition of a television to the school's resources. For several years the school was the proud owner of a coloured and black and white television.
It was also during this time that interschool sport was introduced with Dooralong, Tacoma, Wyong Creek and Yarramalong.
A tremendous step forward, initiated by Mr Britt, was the official visit by 6th class pupils to Wyong High School before they began their Secondary Education.
In the time of about two years between Mr Britt and Mr Bellamy, the school was in the capable hands of Mr Broadfoot.
1979 meet the arrival of Mr John Bellamy. Student numbers started to decrease with only 9 students enrolled at one point. However by 1987 enrolments had increase enough to warrant the installation of another demountable classroom as the old one became too small with the increasing numbers. In 1988, a second teacher, Mrs Mace, was appointed to the school.
Since this time the school has increased to 5 teachers with a fully functional library connect-a-classroom and computer room. Students enjoy the addition of play equipment in their playground and the use of Smart Boards throughout the school which ensures students' education is first rate.
*Information taken from Jilliby Public School: Centenary 1889-1989 by Lyn Campbell.