Christmas In Nilma & Darnum

Nilma Primary School has already begun building towards next year, with its foundation students making their transition towards prep last week.

Students settled into the classroom with story time last week before beginning learning with activities including chunking sounds and creating visual sentences.

School principal Annette Sutherland said the school ran an extensive transition program, with its cohort of new students attending five sessions at the school to help them acclimatise.

“They will have a full day here before they start before they start next year, so they are already familiar with what a whole day at school looks like,” she said.

“It’s about building relationships and making them feel comfortable, so that they know their teachers and their groups and don’t have to be anxious over the holidays.”

Ms Sutherland said the school, which has recently finished its whole school swimming program, would extend its curriculum for all students next year with all students to participate in a performing arts program.

Ms Sutherland said the school had also been busily fundraising for equipment for its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEAM) program.

“We’re really focussed on becoming at STEAM school, so funds raised help purchase equipment for that field,” she said.

“We have bought robotics kits to start next year, so we’re full steam ahead.”

2018 foundation students Zach Bradshaw, Kane Thomas, Jenni Giblin and Jaxon Williames get accustomed to their new classrooms as part of transition day at Nilma Primary School.

Nilma Primary School students Makkie Campbell, Kaleb Majcherzak, Caleb Brown and Vivien Turner participate in a performing arts program that will be open to all students next year.