History
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Below we have provided a short history of the major moments and stages that have brought us to where we are today. There has been a lot of hard work by so many parents, family, friends and volunteers as well as generous contributions from individuals and businesses. Financial support has also been received from commonwealth, state and local government through grants. Our thanks goes to them all. The journey has and continues to be a huge undertaking that required becoming familiar with shire requirements, planning applications, neighbourhood approvals, Office of Non-Government Education processes, grant applications, building construction, landscaping and renovations. There have been many high and low points, but these images and words are provided to celebrate our successes and achievements. By keeping a positive mind helps us to not only appreciate but continue to find ways to improve the environment we have worked so hard to produce for our children.
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From
the offset it was about the children having fun while being creative. |
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Playgroup started in 2002. Once approval had been granted, our first school opened in February 2003. It was a normal house filled with lots of different work areas. |
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The
first school site was only ever a temporary measure and we quickly outgrew it so plans were underway for a bigger school site. |
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But
while the new place was being built we carried on as normal. |
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In 2006
new site the building arrived. Being a transportable from Manjimup it had to be cut into 8 sections and transported by trucks to Boyanup. |
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The
building was completely fitted out by the school community, using trade people when it was required. |
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As well
as kitting out the inside the outside needed to have steps fitted and a new paint job, with verandas, guttering and rainwater tank being added soon after. |
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The
outside work involved lots of other jobs like paving, laying turf and setting up play areas. |
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Three
weeks after the building arrived the mammoth effort paid off and and the new school was ready for us to move in for Term 1 of 2006. |
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We were
very grateful for the extra space, simple things like the veranda to allow parents to meet up made life easier. |
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Having
direct access to the lake also provided a wonderful learning environment and place to work off energy. |
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The
school continued to thrive and with growing numbers the building felt small, until in 2008 the next building arrived. |
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At the
same time the old building got a face lift with a new roof. |
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With
the new building we set about to make a new entrance to the school with landscaping and paved areas. |
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For
Christmas 2009 we built a "Wonder Wall", a quiet spot for personal contemplation. |
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Some children who started
when Child Side school opened in 2002 reached high school age, and joined the family learning association. |
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During
2010 the school continued to improve the facilities, with a third school building, undercover area (HUB) and extended parking. |
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The
the HUB has helped broaden the schools external community network, as other community groups are able to access the facility. |
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With
all the new building work the school has also established a more reliable supply of water with both rainwater tanks and a groundwater bore. |
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2011
saw a hive of landscaping activity round the new buildings, including a new fruit garden |
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The
school also completed a number of projects to make it more sustainable, including rainwater tanks and wicking garden beds to improve water efficiency and solar panels to generate electricity. |
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The
school oval took a huge leap forward with the delivery of truck loads of sand and sprinkler system. |
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2012
was the tenth year of children, educators and parents walking the
Child Side way. As part of the celebrations a special enterprise evening was held that included a Chinese dragon dance, Double Dutch skipping exhibition and fire twirling! |
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The
school's relationship with Manea Senior College has been
considerably strengthened with children from the family learning association making regular trips to make use of their facilities and to orientate themselves for year 11 and 12 studies. |
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Nicholas Lawler and Jaiden Lanigan started at Child Side ten years ago and are the first children to graduate, and will next year be attending Manea Senior College to further their studies. |
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Our
community has grown but still has a strong focus on making life and learning personal and meaningful. |
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For
more information on any of the above items |
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