When I was first contacted by Mr Naich Stomon, former Principal of Mt Carmel School at Yass, seeking support for an innovative project that would share sports and recreational facilities with a local public school, I was inspired by the audaciousness of his vision.
From those early conversations, the dream became a reality through the Federal Government’s funding program “Local Schools Working Together” and last week I was thrilled to be invited to open the facilities funded under the program.
The Yass project which has upgraded sports and athletics facilities at Berinba Public School and Mt Carmel, is opening an amazing range of opportunities for the students of both schools, and for the Yass community. This is one of only 26 projects funded under the project nationwide.
Principal of Berinba PS, Ray Claydon proudly took me through all the investments in the school that have come from this program, and the BER investments, demonstrating the importance of investing in education infrastructure. He’s also very keen to see the Government’s response to the Gonski Report, especially in relation to teacher quality, student support and education innovation.
Having witnessed the wonderful smoking ceremony by local indigenous elder Eric Bell, we then moved on to Mt Carmel School to see the facilities proudly unveiled as the Naich Smogon Netball Courts. Again the BER investment is plain for all to see.- its a beautiful old school, with significant heritage – and blended sympathetically into the modern facilities of the BER program. Ms Gaye McManus is very proud of what has been acheived, and a great advocate of the BER.
I really enjoy these opportunities to get out into communities and see the local impacts of the government’s investments. The children are delightful to meet, the teachers are inspiring, and the community support for these projects is unconditional.
Click here to read more about these great projects.