We had a most enjoyable morning at Pine Community School.
Picked up some beaut bargains at their garage sale and toys for the grandkids.
Chatted with Maris the Head of the school and then one of the mother’s Barbara walked us round and told us about the school’s philosophy.
Lovely feel to it.
They have a food forest which straight away I loved and a mulched vege garden close by.
The school started in 1983 originally under someone’s house then they rented part of the Neighbourhood Centre then moved over near the Jinka Track and now they are in their current location.
They received a $325000 Federal grant for a new library last year.
They have about 60 children with numbers going through quite rapid growth.
It is an alternate school with children having input into their learning. It is ungraded with 3 ‘classes’ – little middle big.
PV solar panels on the roof.
Learning is at ability rather than age rate.
They teach conflict resolution skills.
School motto is “Happy children learn.”
They are City Cousins for FoodConnect which can also be found on this Transition The Grove websit.
A theme that came up in discussion was dietary allergies which is apparently why some children come here and there is a lot of awareness about nutrition and diet in the school.
Happy place.