More than one hundred primary and pre-school children in the lower Macleay are literally and figuratively broadening their horizons thanks to the exclusive use of a mini-bus.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Smithtown Public School, the Lower Macleay Preschool, members of the Lower Macleay Education Network which includes Kinchela and Gladstone Public Schools, contributed just over half the cost for the mini-bus. The remainder coming from a successful application to the NSW Smarty Grant portal.
The 22 seater allows all of the schools to take students to and from after school care and to extra-curricula activities.
The pre-school has more holiday excursion options, and staff are able to save money on airfares.
Smithtown Public School Principal Jenny Sawyer said the bus is a great result of setting up the network, and destined to strengthen ties between members.
“Cooperation between small schools pooling resources can bring real benefits, like the bus, and in turn that brings more students and teachers together more often,” Ms Sawyer said.
“That generates a great sense of community and self-help, which all the students benefit from.”
The Lower Macleay Education Network Community Bus has just been decorated to promote the network.
The bus will be transporting students to an NRL Gala day on Thursday November 22.
