COUNTRY SCHOOLS ALIVE AND WELL

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, is singing the praises of Broken Creek, Goorambat, Devenish and Thoona Primary Schools following his visits to the schools last week.

Dr Sykes is currently visiting schools in the Benalla Electorate to present them with Commonwealth Games Flags.

Dr Sykes said, “Each school has its own culture but all of them have a great sense of togetherness and a strong focus on the children’s general well being as well as their formal education.”

“Most students at Broken Creek School come from farms and their interest in animals and agriculture was refreshing and I was given a lovely lettuce freshly picked from the children’s vegetable garden. The students are currently studying politics and had a range of challenging questions for me to answer.”

“Goorambat School which was at risk of closure due to dwindling student numbers has reinvented itself as the agricultural campus of Benalla 31. It is proposed that groups of students from Benalla 31 will attend the ‘Goorambat Farm School’, thereby giving them an opportunity for an alternative learning experience in a rural school setting.”

“Principal Ross Carmichael presents an agricultural based curriculum which has a mix of learning about the importance of agriculture to all Victorians but also the fun of raising chickens, ducks and guinea pigs. For some of the children this is their first experience with caring for animals – it is good that they will learn first hand about responsible animal care.”

“Devenish students entertained me with two rousing songs about how good it is to be part of Devenish Primary School. The children really threw themselves into the songs, particularly ‘Proud Devenish’ based on Credence Clear Water Revival’s ‘Proud Mary’.”

“Thoona School students were also enthusiastic about being given a Commonwealth Games Flag and were also very much like one large family.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “Visiting primary schools is one of the best parts of my job – the innocence and enthusiasm of primary school children gives me great pleasure. I look forward to visiting all of the schools in the Electorate in the next few weeks, to present them with Commonwealth Games Flags and to enjoy being with the young people.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989