MEDIA RELEASE
Open For Play
OPEN FOR PLAY
2 March 2005
It is a catch cry that will resonate with every parent. “There’s just nothing for the kids to do, especially on a rainy day”
And that is exactly how it had been for Mrs Nancy Root, Principal of the Burrabadine Cornerstone Community School on Dubbo’s outskirts on Bunglegumbie Road.
However, thanks to a recent grant of funds from the Commonwealth Government, the dream of a play facility for the school’s 25 students has now become a reality.
On Friday 4 March 2005 a new playground and shed facility will be officially opened by the Hon. John Cobb, the Federal Member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Parkes and Ms Dawn Fardell, Member for Dubbo in the State Parliament.
Mrs Root told the story of the school and the importance of the playground to the wellbeing of the students.
“The school began in 1993 and is the sister School to the other Cornerstone Community School that operates in Bourke. The School has slowly built up its facilities and student body but is still a size where there is a personal touch for each of the students”
The school currently has 25 students and two full time teachers.
“The shed facility is a wonderful addition to the school. Previously in summer we had no shady play area and when rained the kids were kept inside too. Now they have a place to spend their breaks on the hottest and the wettest of days.”
“The playground equipment has been invaluable in improving the fitness of the students. It is amazing to watch even the smallest of children learn important lessons of co-ordination and play.” Mrs Root said.
Kindergarten student Joseph Grant has only been at the school for four weeks but has already learned to value the playground equipment.
“I like the playground because it has a lovely sandpit and there are no ants in it. It is fun to go on the slide and the twisty thing is special too. I like it because it’s got a tunnel and because you get to climb up things.”
The opening of the playground kicks off a big weekend for Dubbo’s Cornerstone Community. It is followed by Cornerstone’s annual staff conference. Cornerstone’s Dubbo campus will host up to 80 staff from all of Cornerstone’s various training centres and schools. Some of the staff will be travelling from as far away as Broken Hill and Swan Hill in Victoria.
The weekend is a time for the staff to come together and re-focus on the vision and core values of Cornerstone and training is also provided to equip and strengthen the staff for the year ahead as they set out to serve and positively influence various parts of rural Australia.
The Cornerstone Community was established 25 years ago with the vision of giving practical expression to, and teaching in, the Christian faith as a ‘whole of life’ experience. It currently operates Training Centres in Bourke, Dubbo, Broken Hill and Canowindra. Next year 10 mission teams will be placed in five States across Australia.
Vacancies still exist in Cornerstone’s intensive discipleship program for 2005.
The official opening will take placed at the school at 101R Bunglegumbie Road. Mr Cobb and Ms Fardell will attend from 2:30pm and this will provide a photo opportunity.
For more information contact:
Burrabadine Cornerstone School
101R Bunglegumbie Road
Dubbo NSW 2830
Postal: PO Box 1151 Dubbo NSW 2830
Phone: (02) 6884 1652
Fax: (02) 6884 4004
Email: bccs@cornerstone.edu.au
Principal Mrs Elvira Orozco de McIntosh