FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
RAISING FUNDS, RAISING SPIRITS
A reflection from one of GNPS’s very first students. “It was fun to explore the property, run through the long grass of the field. There was a huge pile of dirt down the back of the school which was fun to run up and down. During the colder months it used to get really muddy entering the portable classrooms until eventually some paving was put down to make a clean path. In the first two years I attended the school (and it had just opened), a basketball ring was put up, a new playground, football goal posts and many other things. There was also a horse that neighboured the school fence and the school set up a shed area which had a vegetable garden and a cage with blue tongue lizards in it. I used to travel from Altona Meadows in 1997/98, it would take about 25-30 minutes. We travelled all back roads which were empty fields. These are now filled with houses and main roads through Truganina/Tarneit.” John Dunning, foundation student
Fundraising and ‘friendraising’ ensured Good News could offer students a well-equipped learning environment and families a welcoming, supportive community. The supporting congregations (in particular Christ the Lord), as well as the Parents & Friends Association, put in countless hours to fundraise. Many garage and car boot sales were held, as well as square dances, fashion parades, chocolate drives, trivia nights, cake stalls, pizza nights, fetes, sausage sizzles and more. In the school’s early years, the sheep and horses in the surrounding paddocks provided much entertainment, amusement and enjoyment for students and staff alike! When Modular One was brought in, there was great debate amongst the Year 3-4 team as to who would get the sheep views from their classroom. It was like being in the country but 20 minutes from the heart of Melbourne,” recounts Celeste Cameron, current staff member. “I remember the portables and sheep paddocks surrounding the school. The horses were on one side. I would often spend lunch time feeding the horses, as they were super friendly. A ball often purposely went in the horse paddock, so one of us could go and get it,” remembers Holly Cicino, past student and current staff member. Meanwhile, a drainage problem at the school created challenges. At the local council’s request, a pond had been constructed to help capture stormwater and mitigate against possible flooding. However, “there was always a huge issue with drainage every time it rained,” recalls Peta Gehrmann, former School Council Secretary and parent. When it rained excessively, the pond would virtually disappear in the floodwaters, but in 1998 the District donated $3,000 to help beautify the school, including the pond. SHEEP, HORSES AND A PROBLEMATIC POND!
When Good News Primary School was first established, the grounds resembled a rural farming property. Reflections from students, staff and parents include many fond memories of sheep and horses in the neighbouring paddocks. “When I first saw the school site, it was a paddock with no neighbours in sight. It was little more than an idea, an aspiration, an act of faith. God has blessed the College in so many ways,” recalls Craig Tischler, former Chair, Good News School Association. A team of committed volunteers, including staff, parents and congregation members, donated their time to establish a fledgling school. “I remember being part of a strong community of volunteers committed to developing the barren early school grounds and planting trees around the perimeter. After the planting we were rostered on over the coming months to fill and tow a water tank around the site watering the trees.” Graeme Simpkin, current College Board member
VOLUNTEER EFFORTS GROW THE NEW SCHOOL
As the following memories attest, GNPS grew and thrived thanks to the incredible commitment of its volunteers: “I was at the school almost every day doing newsletters, library, singing in assemblies, doing PR and marketing, helping in class and organising special festivals and parents’ days. Tidying up, my daughter got a freddo frog for vacuuming! It was an all hands to the pump situation.” Carolyn Wilson (then Gaylard), past parent “I remember family working bees with the Schiers where Thomas Goltz and Aiden Schier, whilst students, would mow the grounds using the school’s two ride-on mowers. Brenton Schier and myself drove our cars around and around the back paddock many times to mark out an oval for sports. I remember smelling like a barbeque (fat and onions) for a day or two after cooking all day at the Bunnings fundraisers!” Noel Goltz, current College Board member Volunteering grew the school community in sometimes unexpected ways. While volunteering at the Good News bookshop in Altona, Marie Schwarz (wife of then Principal, Roger Schwarz) had a chance encounter with one Sarah Nicholson. “Around September 1999 I was shopping with a friend in the Christian book shop in Altona where Marie volunteered and in conversation mentioned I was a teacher. Marie took my details, and I was shortly afterwards contacted by Roger and offered CRT work. The rest as they say is history.” Sarah Nicholson, former staff member “I started volunteering when my daughter was in Prep. I was a helper in the classroom, went on excursions, camps and also helped in the canteen. My favourite was helping at the Mother’s/Father’s Day stalls; seeing all the little kids coming to pick a gift for their mums or dads was so special.” Effie Papakirikou, parent and current staff member
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