Student input helps shape school yard

A student-driven initiative to transform part of a local primary school came to fruition recently, when a new building emerged from a once unsightly area.

Roebuck Primary’s new Year 6 area will be ready for use by the end of the school term and will provide the school’s most senior students with an exclusive space during lunch and recess breaks, with shade, seating, artwork and an open play area.

Formerly used for Year 7 transportable classrooms, the area incorporates a number of re-purposed materials and elements from around the school in its design.

Principal Kelvin Shem said students played an active role in bringing the senior space to life after Year 7 classes moved to high schools three years ago.

“We conducted a community consultation where staff, parents and students looked at buildings, facilities and grounds and made suggestions to bring about improvements,” he said.

“One of the suggestions was a senior school area that was exclusively for the Year 6 students in their final year at Roebuck Primary.

“The student leadership group were active in getting support from myself, as well as the Parents and Citizens.”

Mr Shem said it was important that the primary school listened to student ideas and encouraged contributions.

“Children view the world through a different lens and offer refreshing views that adults can often overlook or dispense without much consideration,” he said.

“When they are able to offer suggestions and create solutions that can be used, it generates a collective sense of worth and value.

“In this instance, the students will gain a sense of pride from knowing that they have a voice that has contributed to the benefit of current and future senior students and they now have a special area to use.”