School connects to country and community

ONE of the town’s community hubs, Linton Primary School is leading the charge when it comes to bringing people together.

Last Friday, staff and the junior school council coordinated a community day; the first they’ve been able to have in over a year.

Acting principal Jenny Dyer said the children wore casual clothes, participated in student and guest-led activities, and donated a gold coin to raise funds for the Deafness Foundation.

Over $450 was generated for the organisation, which supports a young member of the broader school community who is “profoundly deaf.”

“We had indigenous artist Janet Curtain teaching the children how to do dot painting. We painted the rainbow serpent on one of our school buildings, connecting with country and culture,” she said.

“We had a family picnic, and the senior students coordinated a Holey Moley mini golf game for the kids to have a play at afterwards.

“In the afternoon, parents, children, and members of the community were invited to put a handprint on the wall, which is being made into a tree, representing our connection with community.”

Ms Dyer said the children embraced the fundraising day and were excited to tackle some new challenges, including the dot painting of the “giant” rainbow serpent; a time-consuming but fun artwork.

“One of our students, Sienna, donated all of her pocket money, which was over $140.

“The day was so well supported by everybody. We still had to socially distance and thoroughly sanitise, but it worked beautifully,” she said.

Yesterday, Wednesday, 10 March, the school also held their Grandparents’ Day, hosting about 40 of the children’s relatives and special friends.

Students have participated in various incursions in recent weeks and months, connecting with the science of the “bigger, wider, real world,” through sessions with the Victorian Space and Science Centre, and Bendigo Discovery Science & Technology Centre.

“We have to bring as much as we can out here. These events have given the kids a sense of normality, and are engaging them back in school,” Ms Dyer said.

“We love Linton, but we want the kids to get a sense of bigger life, not just country life.”