Olinda Primary School’s new principal, Cathy Jones, meets students
By Tania Martin
OLINDA Primary School has won its battle to stay open.
Following a two-year fight, continued speculation over its closure, and student numbers at one point dwindling to six, the school is back on its feet.
A morning tea was held last Thursday to celebrate the school’s victory and introduce new principal Cathy Jones.
School council president Lisa Saltnes said it was time to invite the community back to see how it was thriving again. “It’s time to reintroduce people to Olinda Primary School,” she said.
Local traders also attended the morning tea, which students prepared, and had a chance to tour the school.
Ms Saltnes said the school had been forgotten about but was again becoming a centre-piece of the community. “We have made lots of changes to our sustainability, education and management of the school,” she said.
The school has 23 children enrolled for 2009 and hopes to have 30 by the middle of the year, a big increase on this year’s 17 students and a massive improvement on the six enrolled in 2007.
Mount Dandenong Primary School principal Wendy Britt also stepped in to help the school this year, dividing her time between Mount Dandenong and Olinda in a bid to keep the school running.
Ms Britt said the school had enough students to now employ a full-time principal, and that the determination of the community had kept it open.
Ms Jones, who will take up her post next month, said teaching was her calling and she was ecstatic about joining the team at Olinda.
Formerly of The Basin Primary, Ms Jones is not only a teacher but has been a learning coach.
“I am thrilled and excited to be given this opportunity,” she said. “The school has great potential.”
Ms Jones said it was great to see the school had such a good connection with the local community. “It’s like a family here and has a great sense of teamwork,” she said.
