Elliott Heads community’s involvement in the school has broadened as parents and community members are welcomed into the classroom and school to directly assist students. Community members are making valuable contributions to the success of the students in a variety of ways. Community members assist students on a daily basis with reading, through the Rotary Readers program. This allows us to provide assistance for those students who are experiencing difficulties, as well as those who benefit from that little extra individual time.
Our community members also share their expertise. The grounds are maintained by a number of community members whose green thumb is all too obvious. Interaction with adults in this way has also provided students with the opportunity to develop social skills.
The students are also becoming involved in their local community. The ANZAC day service at Submarine Lookout provided the perfect opportunity for the community to experience the diversity of the talent in our school. The school captains perform in this public arena and our amazing choir sings both the Australian and New Zealand National anthems (Maori and English versions). Not only were the choir students in attendance but a large portion of the school population. The significance of this day and the importance of tradition is being nurtured by this school.
The school belongs to the Reef Guardian school initiative. This allows the students to explore and put into place sound environmental practice that benefit both our school and the community. Thanks to the donations from some local businesses the school is becoming more environmentally aware.
The future of a community depends upon the passing on of values and skills needed by youth. The interaction between Elliott Heads State School and its community is ensuring this happens.