From the first day back, I knew something was different. Something important had happened. And I was right. A dream had been realised on the verandahs of our school. Simone Wilson has the story. Editor
Once upon a time, about 6 years ago, Junior Primary school teachers dreamed about numbers and colours and snakes for skip counting. They imagined bright flowers showing all the Friends of 5 and 10. They knew how great it would be for their students to learn their numbers because evidence shows how fast kids learn while playing. And so, the dream was born, but it was not an easy task to make a dream come true.
You see, the devoted teachers are busy – actually busy does not adequately describe how hard they work with so much love in their hearts – but busy they are!
A local artist worked on drawings and designs which provided inspiration for the work to be done.
Year after year they kept the dream alive and slowly it started to come together. A team was formed. Plans were made and ideas were shared, until finally a small group of staff committed their time over the summer holidays to get the job done. So generous with their precious time and energy and various skills, they worked long hours over several days with humour, music, grit and stamina to paint the Year 1 and Year 2 verandah areas.
But there’s more to the story because there were others involved to help make this a reality by providing their time for free! The ground was professionally prepared before painting and then a non-slip coating was applied as a finish by a parent from our school. There is the parent of previous students who we purchased the number stencils from, and he also gave his time unpaid to help for a whole day. We are so, so grateful for their help. Beyond the school, there are others who quickly helped including a local hardware who gave advice and assistance with obtaining donated paint from a paint company – more generosity! And to anyone we missed naming here – our grateful thanks!
The teachers love the results. The kids love the results.
A Year 6 students was heard to say: “Wow! It’s so good, it looks like someone with a job did it!” When told it was the teachers and staff, the student added, “They did a really good job!” That’s appreciation for you.
They say “it takes a village to raise a child”. This ‘village’ of educators, parents, community volunteers and local business people have all made a difference to the Maths learning of our students. Thank you all! Editor
Main story written by Simone Wilson; Photos, posted and annotated by Editor – Dawn Veary
