Getting things back up and running on the temporary site at Forbes Public School are Site Manager Peter Zylstra, Principal Megan Staples and Matt Cheney from Cheney’s Electrical.
After a complete refurbishment of Forbes Public School in 2022, including new paint and new carpet, the school was faced with not one, but two flooding events. The floods hit just three weeks before the end of the 2022 school year.
Following the floods, Forbes High School generously offered up space for the remaining three weeks of the school year for all of the Forbes Public School students from kindergarten to year six.
“That three weeks gave us time to unpack with the kids about what was happening. During the last week of school, the students were permitted to return to the school site, to allow them to have some closure,” said Megan Staples, Principal of Forbes Public School.
“Students were allowed to walk around the school, they also assembled on the oval and all pretended to imagine what their new temporary site might look like upon their return to school in 2023.”
During the school holiday period, Forbes Public School students and parents were kept updated about the build for the temporary site. Regular updates were provided about the return to school for 2023, including a virtual tour of the school the day before school returned for 2023 to show parents and students what to do.
“The goal was all about returning students to school on day one of term one and an all important return to a focus on teaching and learning,” said Megan.
Questions have been raised as to why the effort was put into building the temporary demountable site in favor of immediately getting on with refurbishing the original, existing site?
Forbes Public School Principal Megan Staples explains, “After two years of COVID interruptions, the last thing we wanted in the new year was the shuffling of students or distractions from trade and construction work.”
Megan is grateful that the school was involved in two weeks of intense planning and design for the new temporary site, to ensure it would really work for the staff and students who may be using the temporary site for the next 12 months or more.
The refurbishment of the original, existing site is under discussion and planning is well under way. “The gyprock has been ordered, the carpet has been ordered and tradies are on standby,” said Megan.
Once the temporary demountable site is fully signed off, then tools can be picked up and work can begin on the refurbishment.
As with any experience you go through as a team, the staff at Forbes Public School, along with the wider school community of parents and students, have all been brought closer together and Megan is exceptionally proud of how everyone has banded together.
“The students have had a great return to school year and are looking forward to all of the exciting aspects that come along with everyday learning. Including excursions, sports carnivals, visiting shows, Healthy Harold, Aurora program, sporting and creative arts opportunities and just being able to provide students the chance to reconnect with school and be a part of activities that make them happy and help them thrive and succeed,” said Megan.
Megan wanted to send out a message to all of those involved with supporting Forbes Public School. She went on to say, “In the summer of 2022, in our Forbes community, we had tradies, school teachers and community members all band together to enable the establishment of a school for day one, of term one, over a period of two to three weeks. That is something we can all share in and be proud of.”
“Thanks and praise are also extended to everyone who helped with the flood preparations, which was so important and helped redirect water. A big thanks to SES, Forbes Shire Council, Royal Defence Force and all of the community members who helped.”
The view looking down at the new temporary, demountable classrooms from the school hall.
Inside of the school hall, which was saved by a lot of sandbagging preparation.
Students lining up outside the temporary, demountable classrooms.
How is this for a classroom with a view!
Students learning comfortably from inside their temporary, demountable classroom.
Part of the original site which is all set for refurbishment once the temporary site is completed.