LAKE Boga Primary School is a small school with big benefits and even bigger goals for the future.
Principal Marty Gray said the school’s focus was to provide an education hub that ensures kindergarten children could seamlessly transition to primary school while keeping family life requirements at the forefront.
“We know many of our parents work in Swan Hill and need flexible options and for that reason, we offer supervision from 8am in the morning and an afterschool care program until 6pm,” he said.
“Next year, we will continue to offer 15 hours of kindergarten over two full days to assist families with balancing work obligations with their children’s education.
“The children who transition from kindergarten into the foundation year will already have had good access to the school community and facilities.
“We have crossover staff that spend time in both kindergarten and primary school areas and this allows the students to get to know the teachers before they head into their foundation year.
“It also gives the teachers a chance to get to know the children and be prepared for their transition.
“They will know what skills and interests the child has as well as foreknowledge of any challenges they may face or supports they may need.”
Lake Boga Primary School has 63 students in its primary sector and 24 children in its pre-school sector.
It has strong links to the Lake Boga community and good access to share the town’s facilities such as full-sized football oval, gym, and an orchard where the children can pick their own fresh fruit straight from the trees.
It also offers a kitchen and garden program with a focus on sustainability.
“The students have been learning about Indigenous bush tucker and how it contrasts to western foods,” Mr Gray said.
“They are learning how the traditional methods weigh up against more modern techniques and experience the full process of maintaining the garden to cooking the foods they produce.”
The school also has a resilience program to promote wellbeing and believes teaching and wellbeing go hand-in-hand.
“Our students are happy and have a positive attitude towards school,” Mr Gray said.
“Happy and engaged children means our NAPLAN data is improving each year.”
Lake Boga Primary School offers specialist teachers in subjects such as physical education and Indonesian.
It has a wellbeing program and chaplain on site.
Students take part in activities such as swimming, summer and winter sports against other schools, and cross country running.
Mr Gray invites parents considering enrollment to come to the school and meet the student leadership team.
“Our students are encouraged to take the lead within our school community and would love to give visitors a tour of our school,” he said.
“Parents should visit while the kids are on site, because then they will see for themselves how happy our students are.
“The teaching team and myself will also be on hand to answer any questions.”
Mr Gray encouraged all families from across the region to consider Lake Boga as they approach enrolment time, which is in July instead of September this year.
To make an enquiry or to book a personal tour, phone the school on 5036 9000.
