LAKE Boga Primary School may be small but it has lots of big things to be proud of.
Offering a full range of specialised programs including PE, performing arts, Indonesian, music, science, technology and kitchen garden program, the school also has a strong focus on literacy and numeracy.
Principal Marty Gray added the school used excursions and camps to teach children real world life skills.
“We really value or school camp programs with students in grade 3-6 heading away to 15 Mile Creek each year and our grade 6 children also have the opportunity to visit New Zealand,” he said.
“The 15 Mile Creek camp changes its focus each year, offering students a variety of learning opportunities in a new and fun setting, and the children are heavily involved in planning the New Zealand Camp.
“They are included in a lot of the lead-up work such as fundraising for the trip which gets them involved in the community, and they learn about organising, purchasing, dealing with money and budgets.
“We incorporate numeracy and literacy through the camp program, and students are supported to book activities that fit within the budget and our curriculum of learning.”
The school is eager to welcome Lake Boga families into their school community and have also extended their reach to Kangaroo Lake and Mystic Park region after Lake Charm Primary School was made non-operational.
“We have a bus that is able to pick children up from Kangaroo Lake in the morning and return them after school,” Mr Gray said.
“We are also an ideal spot for parents who might commute between Kerang and Swan Hill for work.
“We have an 8am drop off time, and offer after school care until 6pm, and this often works in well for working parents.”
With 68 students across four classrooms, the school is able to offer a tight-knit environment where children are supported with their studies by an evidence-based approach to teaching, learning and wellbeing.
“Every decision we make is based on research and evidence and that benefits the children as they are regularly evaluated,” Mr Gray said.
“Being a smaller school, every teacher knows where the students are at in terms of their learning, and nobody falls through the cracks.
“Our students can’t drop below the radar and fall behind without being identified, and we quickly put supports in place.
“Our teachers also have a good understanding of the way students learn and they design lessons and instruction to suit that.”
Lake Boga Primary School oversees the running of the pre-school located next door and this helps to ensure a smooth transition process to foundation year at primary school.
With a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing, the school employs a wellbeing teacher to support the whole school community including, staff, parents and students.
The school sent 10 students off to compete in the division-level cross country event held at Riverside Park on Tuesday, and three students were successful in qualifying for the regional event being held in St Arnaud.
Mr Gray welcomes all families considering school options to book a personalised tour to see all that Lake Boga Primary School has to offer.
