Memories from the staffroom

I returned to Shepparton East Primary School as a teacher in 2013. It was my first teaching position, and I was fortunate enough to spend the next 10 years at the school. During this time, I worked as a classroom teacher and had the opportunity to teach students across all year levels, from Foundation through to Year 6.

My connection to Shepparton East goes back much further. I attended the school myself from 1996 to 2000, so returning as a teacher felt like coming home. My dad and both of my grandparents also attended the school, making it a special part of my family’s history.

Looking back, what changes or developments did you see at Shepparton East during your time at the school?

Over my time at Shepparton East, I saw the school grow significantly in size. One of the things I appreciated most was that despite the school’s growth, Shepparton East continued to feel like a place where everyone knew each other. It maintained the close-knit, welcoming sense of community that makes a small country school so special.

What were some of the things that made the students, families and staff at Shepparton East special to work with?

The school environment allowed strong relationships to develop between staff, students and families. You really got to know your students and their families.

I was also incredibly fortunate to work alongside some very passionate and inspiring teachers. Some of the people I worked with had a significant influence on the teacher I became. I learnt so much from watching and working alongside them, and many of the values and approaches I developed during those years have stayed with me.

After being part of the school’s history, what does celebrating 150 years of Shepparton East Primary School mean to you?

I feel very fortunate to have been part of Shepparton East Primary School’s history from both sides of the classroom. Shepparton East gave me such a wonderful start to my career, and I will always be grateful for the people who supported and encouraged me during those first 10 years.

For me, Shepparton East Primary School is part of my family history, my childhood and my professional journey, which makes the 150-year celebration particularly special.

Donna Trickey

What years were you involved with Shepparton East Primary School, and what was your role during your time there?

My journey at SEPS began in 1988 as a casual relief teacher, where I replaced absent teachers for a day or two at a time. I was always made welcome by both staff and students, so when an opportunity arose in 1994 to apply for a permanent part-time position, I jumped at it. My role was working with ESL (English as a second language) students to improve their English skills. In 1996 I was offered a full-time position teaching Year 1/2 and I continued working at the school until I retired early in 2013. During these years I taught at every grade level, from Prep to Year 6, as well as being the reading recovery teacher, librarian and literacy leader. It was such a great workplace, with eager students and supportive colleagues.

Looking back, what changes or developments did you see at Shepparton East during your time at the school?

The obvious change that comes to mind was the increase in student enrolments and therefore the need for more learning spaces. This started in 1995 with construction of the Multipurpose Room, continued with the addition of portable classrooms over the years and culminated with the present school build in 2010. Such an exciting time for the whole school population.

Within the classroom, there were many changes in teaching and learning. Whiteboards replaced the traditional blackboard and chalk — no more chalk dust on hands and clothing and cleaning of the dreaded dusters. But this came with its own challenge — keeping the whiteboard markers separate from the permanent markers. Technology then entered the workplace and banks of three or four computers were installed in classrooms. Students were rostered to use these computers to access learning programs. Staff attended professional development sessions to learn how to navigate computers, search the internet and to learn word processing skills. It was a whole new world. Staff were also issued personal laptops to complete their planning documents, create learning worksheets and mark the roll. This was then connected to a Smart Whiteboard where we could use PowerPoint presentations as teaching tools. Finally came the introduction of shared student laptops and then personal student iPads. Often the students were more adept at using the technology than we were. They were certainly more adventurous.

Can you share a memorable moment, achievement or experience that highlights the spirit of the Shepparton East community?

During my early years at the school, we had access to a block of land at Caniambo (on the site of the decommissioned Caniambo State School) and the students in Years 4, 5 and 6 would camp out under canvas for a couple of nights. The students had to provide and set up their own tents and bedding. During the day they participated in activities on the bush block, including bush art, hut building using branches and sticks, nature studies and various other activities, of which yabbying was a favourite. There were tennis courts available and sports equipment hired from Shepparton Sports Stadium. We even held a disco at the local hall. The staff organised the food, which was stored in an old shelter shed on site, often frequented by possums during the night. The farmhouse next door offered the use of their fridge and freezer to store the milk and ice-cream. Toilets were hired, and water was available courtesy of cherry barrels on a trailer provided by the Shepp East Fire Brigade. Parents offered their cars, utes and trailers to transport equipment — including a barbecue, tents and bedding to the site and buses hired to transport the students. The parents volunteered to help cook some of the meals. But before this camp could take place, there was always a huge working bee on site, consisting of parents, staff and students. This camp to me embodied the spirit of the Shepp East community — it was a mammoth event to co-ordinate — and all facets of the wider community were willing to become involved to ensure the children had the best and most unique experience possible. School camps now are so very different from this.

What were some of the things that made the students, families and staff at Shepparton East special to work with?

My time at SEPS was highlighted by a sense of belonging to a huge family. As a smaller school on the outskirts of Shepparton, most of the local community sent their children to be educated at the school. Everyone knew each other and as staff, we often taught all siblings from the same family and saw them grow from newborns to leaving us at the end of Year 6. That end-of-year concert was always an emotional event. It was amazing how often past students would return to visit us and relate stories of their time at primary school. Even now I can be stopped in the street by past students who want to have a chat. I have such fond memories of so many different personalities that made up my classrooms over the years.

Parents were always welcome at school and were involved in many facets of their child’s education. This included things like hearing reading in the classroom, sharing a skill on Arts Activity Days, supervising a group on whole school excursions and camps and getting their hands dirty on weekend working bees. Nothing was too much trouble to ask of the parent group.

The staff I worked with over the years, as well as various principals leading the school, were such a dedicated and hardworking group, who committed many hours outside the traditional school day. We all respected each other, drew on one another’s skills to enhance our teaching and provided a safe learning environment for the children. We also had some fun times along the way. I loved my job and looked forward to going to work every day.

After being part of the school’s history, what does celebrating 150 years of Shepparton East Primary School mean to you?

I feel very proud to have been part of such a wonderful workplace, even if it was just a short time frame in the grand scheme of things. When you consider that many smaller rural schools have closed over the years, it is a testament to the wider Shepparton East community that the school has prospered and grown over the years. Congratulations to everyone involved in this celebration – I feel like it was only yesterday that we were celebrating 125 years.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I mentioned previously about seeing the students grow from tiny tots to young adults. I am immensely proud when I hear or read of past students achieving success in their adult life and realise that I may have played a small role in their growth. I knew it was time to retire when one past student, who I had taught in Years 1, 2 and 4, returned as a teacher at the school. It seemed as though the full circle was complete.