Gippsland Region
Yarram Primary School
Teachers and students at Yarram Primary School love their new building. Principal Penny Earle told us how the new facility is also benefitting surrounding schools and local groups.
Alberton Primary School assisted Yarram Primary school by donating part of its Building the Education revolution (BER) funding. The result is a half basketball court, flexible learning spaces and canteen that can be shared with all schools in the area. This approach was encouraged in the Gippsland region to improve community facilities.
“We are the biggest primary school in the area, so we act as a focal point for the community. The other smaller schools nearby can share our facilities, and we open them the whole year round for after school and holiday care activities,” Ms Earle said.
“It’s great that we now have a state-of-the-art disabled toilet too, meaning everyone can access and enjoy the new building.”
The school recently used its kitchen to serve Devonshire teas to the local community after the Tarra Festival, which is held every Easter. The Parents Club also uses the new building, and takes advantage of the flexible furniture and kitchen facilities.
Yarram Primary is known for its outstanding music program, which has benefitted greatly from the new building. There is now an indoor and outdoor performing area and a relocatable stage which can be moved from the basketball court into the music room through the sliding doors.
The adaptability of the space has also allowed teachers at the school to adopt new flexible teaching methods.
“The teachers were chomping at the bit to get the chance to use the latest teaching methods in a flexible space,” Ms Earle said.
“They can now teach multiple years in the new building and take full advantage of the brand new facilities.“
The school will hold an official opening ceremony this spring to coincide with its 150th anniversary.
Ms Earle said the teachers and students at the school are “over the moon” with the new building, which will benefit the Yarram region for years to come.
May, 2011
