OAK FLATS SCHOOLS REAP AWARDS

LOUISA RUST

There must be something in the water at Oak Flats, with the suburbs’ high school and primary school winning the only two Director General’s School Achievement Awards in the Illawarra and South Coast region for 2007.

Oak Flats High School and Oak Flats Public School both won awards for their relationships with the community, businesses and other institutions.

Oak Flats High School’s award for ‘school community partnerships’ recognised its various community initiatives, programs and relationships.

One of the school’s initiatives is a primary-to-high school transition program, run in conjunction with Oak Flats, Balarang and Albion Park Rail public schools.

Primary school students visited the high school to participate in workshops and programs aimed at giving them a smooth transition to high school.

“We run science, technology and art programs, and special interest days, for example music and sport,” Oak Flats High School principal Glenn Isemonger said.

“There is also a boys mentoring program, where the year 10 boys talk to the primary school students. It’s good for them to have older role models.

“I think public education is fantastic, so for those primary school students to be able to come to the high school and feel comfortable really is important.”

Mr Isemonger said the school was also involved with the Beacon Project, aimed at keeping young people off the dole.

The project is designed to lead students in positive directions after year 10 with local businesses lending support by providing internship and apprenticeship opportunities, school visits and workshops.

Oak Flats Primary School’s award for ‘partnerships that matter… a learning community supporting quality education’ also recognised community links and programs.

The school works in partnership with many local businesses and programs including the Red Cross, Oak Flats Gardening Club, Bendigo Bank and Oak Flats Bowling Club.

“The Oak Flats Bowling Club shuttle takes our kids and drives them to the retirement village for the choir to sing,” school principal Greg Wells said.

“It’s a win-win for everybody. A community club fulfilling its role, and the school children have an audience that appreciates them.”

The school also has a strong relationship with the Department of Education, trialing programs such as the smaller class system.

Mr Wells said the school was part of a local learning community, including Oak Flats High School and local primary and preschools.

“As a community of schools we try to ensure a seamless transition for students from pre-school to year 12 and to the workforce,” he said.

‘There’s a strong feeling of community. They say it takes a village to raise a child.”