ONGERUP PRIMARY SCHOOL

Ongerup Primary School is a small country school consisting of around 60 children and 4 full time teachers. The classes are shared with different years being in the same class, Pre-primary to Year 1, Year 2,3,4 and Year 5,6,7. This year has been the start of a new programme in the school with a 4 way split for half the day, the children break into years 7,6 - 4,5 - 2,3 and pre-1. With the children getting more individual attention, this has proved to be a worthwhile change with very pleasing results and the teachers have given it the thumbs up. The school is well equipped with up to date technology wtih computers in every class room and the library. Other staff consists of  music and Indonesian teachers, Librarian, Gardener, Registrar and also many parents come in and volunteer their time. School excursions of a one week Camp once every 3 years with the idea of a small weekend camp in between. Trips to music, science and other travelling shows. Swimming lessons are held in March in Gnowangerup with the children travelling by bus. We hold a sports carnival where the rivals of faction colours Gold and Blue battle it out with competitions of running, long jump, triple jump, throw and team games. A interschool sports carnival with surrounding schools is also held every year and we very proud of being the holder of both shields for the past three years. All in all we have a very busy time at the  school and try to give the children as many opportunities as possible, so missing out is not an issue at this small country school.

SARAH TELLS NEWS

In many small country schools the Kindergarten children often have to be in a class with Pre-primary, Year 1 2 and 3 children. This is due to low student numbers in each year level. In this situation Kindy children are forced quickly into formal routines with learning programmes more suitable for older children. We are fortunate in Ongerup in that we have separate Kindergarten. Our community has worked hard to develop and maintain this educational facility. We can see the advantages for all our young children. Many people say "on your marks, go" when they start children on the school marathon race, but forget about telling them to " get set". The junior primary children that are beginning more formal education also benefit in that the school teacher can focus her attentions solely on their learning. We operate as a Non Government Kindergaten which is a branch of the Education Department. Hence we offer and meet all their educational standards. At the moment we have 10 children enrolled. The people of Ongerup are proud to say that these children are not disadvantaged by living in a small community. Every one of these children eagerly awaits the next Kindy session where they can learn by having lots of fun. Joanne Curtin Kindy Teacher.

Ongerup Playgroup provides playtime for children aged between 0 & 5 years that is safe and simple, creative and stimulating, but most of all lots of fun. We hope playgroup also allows adults to share the company of other adults and swap ideas, share parenting problems, spend quality time with their chidren or just get out of the house. On a typical day, children interact in free play and participate in an organised activity. Fruit and drinks for the children and teas and coffees are made for morning tea. Prior to leaving, families join in a circle to sing songs relating to the children's favourite nursery rhymes. We meet at the Ongerup Community Centre, Lamont Street, on alternate Mondays during the school term. Dates are provided on the term roster and notification of dates will be included in the Ongerup School Newsletter and Ongerup Commuity News. The length of each session is two hours, commencing at 10am.

Ongerup Day Care - The Ongerup Daycare centre operates every second Monday from 9am to 3pm bookings are essential. Contact Jan Slee PH: 98282013 Fax: 98282055