KATRINA BRANDON
By KATRINA BRANDON
ANTICIPATION for a bike track at Thorpdale Primary School has grown for a long time, and finally after 20 or so years of talking, it has been done. Over the last school holidays, the school took the initiative and put plans into work thanks to the Thorpdale Potato Festival Committee, which gave the school $10,000 as part of its distributions from the festival. Thorpdale Primary School principal David Shields said the donation set the wheels in motion. “The idea of a bike track was suggested by the students (and our school council and families) as a way to have fun, be active and enjoy their independent play. So, we listened and did all we could to make it happen,” he said. At 3pm on Friday, July 14, students, teachers and parents attended the opening at the start of the track. Grades 3-6 opened with acknowledgement to Country, Mr Shields sharing thanks, and student Jimmy Pores cutting the tape commencing the opening so that they could try out their new track. The track starts from the opening gate of the school, around the buildings and oval, then back through the basketball courts which has built it up to half a kilometre long. “I think it is important that we continue to find ways for our young people to get outside; to climb, run, kick balls and ride bikes,” Mr Shields said. “Not only is this great for their heart health, their mental health and connection with each other, but it links heavily with how they commit to their learning and can expand themselves when back in classrooms.” “This is my first principal position after about 15 years of being in leadership at local secondary schools. “It has been amazing to connect with the community of Thorpdale. The families have been so welcoming, the kids are so switched on, active and engaged and the teaching staff are of the highest quality. I feel very lucky to be in this position and I’m glad I can do things like develop a bike track and see the joy in the kids’ faces and give back to the community. “The school has risen in numbers (from 35 to 47) over the course of the year, and with more students coming we want to expand our facilities both now and into the future. “With the numbers expanding, we will be looking for a passionate graduate teacher to join the school community next year as well, so we can move to three classes and keep our students’ education high and our class numbers low.” A general concusses from the parents and students is that they are really happy with how the bike track has turned out, and think it will be great for many years. Parent and school council member, Stewart Jennings welcomed the addition. “I’m really happy with how it turned out. Not only will we be able to use it for bikes, we could use it for cross country and just as a walking track,” he said.
