Class of 2035?
BIG SCHOOL FOR LITTLE PEOPLE
THERE’LL be tears, fears and trepidation... and that’s just from the parents.
From this coming week, little folk all over the city and our region will be walking through the gates of “big school” for the first time, and onto an educational path that will lead them who knows where along the journey to adulthood.
Dubbo Photo News was lucky enough to meet some of the representatives of what one mum described as “our future in cute little hats and shiny little shoes” as they embark on their educational journey towards perhaps eventually becoming part of the Class of 2035.
Charlotte Damen is super excited. She doesn’t know why, she just is, she shrugs but then her eyes light up.
“I have lots of friends going to big school.
“I want to do colouring-in first thing on the first day – I’m good at colouring in.
“The monkey bars too.”
She holds out the sides of her new school uniform, and sways from side to side.
“She just loves it,” her mum says.
“She’s wanted to wear every day since we bought it!”
Looking resplendent in her spotless new uniform, pristine bucket hat and shiny new shoes, her hair in impeccable plaits, Constance Gannon is equally proud of her new kit and eager for her first day.
“I’m looking forward to playing with my cousin Zara – and guess what? It’s her birthday today and I’m going to her party!”
Asked what she’s most looking forward to about “big school”, the pint size chatterbox takes time to consider her answer.
“Well...,” she says, taking a big breath.
“I want to play with my friends, and my new friends.
“I love all my uniform, every part of it. And I like my new backpack – it’s got sparkles!
“And I got to meet my teachers on orientation day,” she gushes, naming them all.
Constance (“You can call me Connie or Con if you want!”) says she’s is a bit nervous but excited.
“I’m a bit scared. I haven’t been to big school before and I don’t know what’s going to happen, I mean, I’ve been here before to pick up my cousin but I’m a bit scared about making new friends but I’m happy and lucky because I already have some friends, but I’m a bit scared... yeah...,” she says, finally pausing for a breath.
And how’s Mum, given this is her first and only “first day”?
“Oh, she’s ready!” Mum laughs. “I’ll miss her, but I know she’s going to have so much fun.”
Today’s cover photo shows Bella Hartsuyker, Harli Putland, Constance Gannon, Jax Filmer and Charlotte Damen who are embarking on their educational journey at Dubbo Public School.
COMMUTING from Sydney to Dubbo is not too intense if it’s by plane or car, but Benjamin Scott travels the journey by foot.
After leaving Newtown in Sydney on December 29, Benjamin arrived late last week in Dubbo on his way to complete his initial milestone destination, Darwin.
Alongside Benjamin walks his furry friend, Frankie, a 14-month-old German Shepherd, and the pair constitutes Walk2recovery, a not-for-profit charity founded by Benjamin and his friends to raise awareness for drug and alcohol addiction and mental ill-health.
“We want to create programs, like this walk that provides initiatives and awareness to encourage growth and support for people having these experiences,” Benjamin says.
Recovering from addiction himself, Benjamin believes he can walk a path for other people to show that it’s a hard battle to overcome.
“The 12-step program did not work for me, and I know it does not work for a lot of other people, but that does not mean people can’t get sober,” he says.
Benjamin plans to continue his journey to Darwin in hopes of progressing to his next milestone, kayaking to Timor.
“I’ve planned this journey through six milestones – with the first being Darwin,” says Benjamin who will be “grateful” if he makes it to Darwin.
Once he passes his second milestone, he will travel to Bangkok in Thailand, then continue to Beijing in China, then to Russia and finally make his way to Alaska.
“My sister’s name is Alaska, so the destination is very symbolic,” Benjamin expresses.
Benjamin also shares another family anecdote with Dubbo Photo News, telling how he and his adopted father recently contacted his father’s biological parents after a ten-year search.
“This is a really amazing story because my dad is a sailor and no one from his adoptive family has an interest with the water, however (my) biological father sailed around the world.
“This bit is even weirder now – my biological auntie walked around the planet, through the Sahara Desert.
“This gives me a lot more confidence in my abilities.”
With the walk being an international journey, Benjamin vows to keep a stable mentality through thinking of each milestone being a separate plan.
“I’m obviously trying to go as far as I can with my end goal being Alaska, but it’s important to remain aware of factors that can stop me with the journey, like visas or Frankie even,” Benjamin shares.
“I want to help people overcome not only their addiction but their dreams and knowing the capabilities (they) have.
“I got a lot of energy when I became sober, and I knew that was from tackling my own demons.”
Benjamin says the charity is actively looking for sponsors and has been approached by Sherpa Outdoor Gear and Athlete’s Foot, and he will broadcast his journey through online platforms where he hopes to generate money for the charity.
“Frankie’s paws get sore really quickly and he overheats a lot so my friends made him another cart in which he can be a bit more comfortable,” he says.
Continuing from Dubbo, Benjamin is travelling to Katherine then advancing his trek to Darwin.
He hopes the journey will take four months. If he can achieve that, Benjamin will be “stoked”.
Head to the Walk2recovery Facebook page to support Benjamin and Frankie along their journey.