In a week when Wangaratta High School's current year 12 students marked their final days of classes, the WHS class of 1985 has been preparing for its 40-year reunion.

About 30 former students will gather at the Old Town 'n' Country Tavern on Saturday, 25 October from 12 noon to reminisce about their high school years.

Among them will be Jean Box and Carolyn Trethowan (Bennett), who were friends at Markwood Primary before moving on to the high school.

Both say they feel lucky to have experienced their teenage years at the time they did, amid a great cohort of students and passionate teachers.

"I really feel like we grew up in the best period of time," Carolyn said.

"Our parents came through at a time when it was tougher to get by in life, but for us, there were more women working, and unlike these days, there was less peripheral noise in our lives and no social media pressure.

"We grew up with telephones attached to the wall."

Jean agreed: "If we wanted to catch up, we'd do it in person, and would usually ride our bikes to each other's houses.

"It was a lot of fun."

Jean and Carolyn remember the dedication of teachers like Paul O'Connor, Bruce Revell, Geoff Welch, and Mrs Osmotherly, Mrs Russell, Mrs Oats, Mr Twitt and Mrs Beer.

"We had a good relationship with the teachers, and they really helped us," Jean said.

The class has previously marked its 10, 20 and 30 year anniversaries, and is looking forward to catching up on Saturday to celebrate its latest milestone.

"I really can't believe it’s been 40 years," Jean said.

Anyone who was part of the WHS cohort between 1980 and '85 is invited to attend the reunion at the Old Town 'n' Country Tavern on Saturday, 25 October from 12 noon.

For more information, contact Jean Box on 0409 106 019.