Allan Whittome - Badgingarra Primary School

Badgingarra Primary School, situated approximately 210km north of Perth was established in 1965 in what was then the Community Hall. Three years later in 1968 a permanent building was established at the present site. When the town then moved to its new location on the Brand Highway, the school remained at the old Badgingarra town-site making it a secluded, attractive site 8km from the town. Badgingarra School belongs to a small and unique group of government schools where all but two students are transported by bus into the school site.

At Badgingarra the goal is to develop the potential of all students and the pursuit of excellence. To achieve this, the school has built up over a number of years, excellent resources and facilities. There is a bank of 25 computers, which allow for all pupils from pre primary to year 7 to have programmed access and instruction. The school is supported by a well-stocked, fully automated library.

Last year a major upgrade to the school's potable water was undertaken. Two water tanks were installed and treated water has been carted in from Moora. Water to ablution blocks and the grounds reticulation is supplied by the school bore. There was upgrading to the reticulation of the large oval and renewal of guttering on all school buildings. The school will be submitting a funding application in the next round of Community Water Grants to connect the present rain water tanks and recycle the water to the school's tree nursery.

In 2009 monies from Investing in Our Schools Grants will be used to build a Sun-smart patio at the front of the school, new furniture and fittings in the school office, a teacher resource room and library.

The school also boasts two ovals and well equipped senior and junior playing areas. These facilities compliment the fitness and sporting program in which all students participate. Badgingarra's involvement in sport also extends to participation in inter-school carnivals involving the neighbouring towns of Dandaragan, Cervantes, Jurien, Leeman and Eneabba.

Children from the school regularly perform in the annual Central Midlands Drama Festival and the Mid West Music Festival. They also take part in the English Speaking Board ORACY evaluation.

The students are involved in environmental education and the running and maintenance of a tree nursery that will produce approximately 18,000 trees this year. They also work with Waters and Rivers, Landcare and CALM in the Adopt-a-Site program. The school has a working partnership with TIWEST to increase safety awareness and develop civics and citizenship within the students. A two year grant has been obtained to develop Science Literacy throughout the school. This year, the school has provided a teacher to be a district mentor working with peers on Science Literacy and moderation for years 5 and 7. In partnership with other schools in the Mid West District, the school has been successful in gaining federal funding to develop a forensic scientific program. Initiated by UWA, this program will allow for students to work with university students and the police.

Badgingarra students are encouraged to be self-motivated, independent learners who are willing to tackle problems systematically and logically. Parents enrolling their children at the school can be assured of quality teaching at a well established and resourced rural community school with small mixed-year classes.