Surrounded By One Big Family
The Age
Wednesday July 25, 2001
WHEN the postmaster in the small town of Alexandra turned 50 recently, the local prep children trotted around the corner to give him 50 cupcakes. They know him well, just as they do the police and most other residents.
And when their school needs maintenance work, principal Christine Varker simply telephones a couple of parents for help. They don't mind - after all, they're just as likely to call her at home with a concern, and they're always bumping into each other outside school hours. It's all part of teaching in a small rural school, with parents, teachers and the community working closely together.
Mrs Varker, the principal of Alexandra Primary (239 students) and its annexe, Thornton Primary (a two-teacher school with 28 students), knows that rural schools face particular hardships. Excursions are expensive, teachers find it difficult to access professional development, relief teachers and specialist services are hard to get, and STD calls, freight charges and LPG gas for heating all eat into the budget.
But there are so many positives, including the lifestyle, says Mrs Varker.
``The staff are dedicated, and they all work as volunteers - from the Country Fire Authority to driving an ambulance to working on the hospital board to coaching netball and football," she says. ``The parents also help a lot, whether it's maintenance, gardening, working in the classrooms, covering books, selling uniforms or fundraising. It means the children get a lot of individual attention and because parents know what is going on in the classroom, they support it at home."
Being relatively isolated forces staff and students to be creative, she says. For example, inviting interesting visitors to the school, running their own professional development, working closely with other schools, and tapping into outside projects that will stimulate and challenge the children.
``Our attitude is that if there's something we can do, then we do it; if not, then you make the best of it," says Mrs Varker.
Alexandra and Thornton have mixed-aged classes and the curriculum includes art, drama and music. Learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy are at or above the state level for comparable schools.
``The work is very demanding but extremely rewarding," says Mrs Varker. ``The school has become a community place and parents trust us; often they come here first when they have financial problems or a marriage breakdown. We also have a very good relationship with the local kindergarten and secondary school."
The grounds at Alexandra and Thornton are large, lush, and green. After school, the children go fishing, rabbiting, bike riding, or they play one of the many sports in the area. The curriculum even includes skiing and horseriding.
Rob Elliott, who teaches years 3 to 6 at Thornton, says rural teachers must be flexible. ``You're public property and on call seven days a week - but this also means that I can telephone a parent on Saturday night if I need to."
He loves teaching in the country. ``School isn't the second part of my life, it's part of one big picture. I see the kids all the time and it becomes a family situation. The community has really got behind the school, and they're in there left, right and centre. And if you enjoy going to school, then your performance as a teacher is better. And if your performance is better, then the kids enjoy coming to school."
© 2001 The Age