Young Carter Slocum was the first student to be officially enrolled at Murrumbateman Public School after enrolments opened for 2023 last month.
Carter will begin Kindergarten next year at Murrumbateman after his family decided to move to the area. Kim Slocum, Carter’s mum, grew up in the area and after living in Canberra for some time, decided to move back.
Kim said the news that construction had begun on the local school was the tipping point in the decision.
“Not having a school and having to commute every day is obviously not ideal,” she said. “When we found out that they were building the school, that was one of the things that really made it very appealing for us to want to move back.”
The kids being able to be part of the local community and stay in the area alongside their friends was important to Kim.
“Instead of having to commute every day into Canberra, their lives are going to be centred around Murrumbateman and in our area and I think that’s fabulous.”
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said she shared the community’s anticipation about the new primary school for the region and is pleased to see the progress on the project.
“I’m proud that we are delivering the new Murrumbateman Public School to support families in this area, and I look forward to when we can welcome local students to their new school.”
“The school is just going to be such an epicentre of bringing people together,” Kim said. “We’re really excited to have the school come into the area.”
Murrumbateman Public School is set to be lesson ready from Term 1, 2023. The new school will deliver brand new facilities to meet the growing student and community and will include flexible learning spaces, a library, hall, canteen, special education learning unit and covered outdoor learning area.
Once completed, the campus will be able to accommodate up to 370 students. Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the first building modules, which have been constructed off-site, have been recently delivered and installed.
Additional building modules will be delivered and installed on site in the coming weeks while site works continue including roofing, internal fit-outs, and the creation of play spaces, walkways, and landscaping.
Kim recently joined the MPS Parents & Carers Association and was elected Vice President.
“I’m excited to be part of it,” she said. “Kate Olsen and the team have worked really hard to get the school up and running so I think being there as a parent to support the school is really important.”
“I hope everyone gets behind and supports [Murrumbateman Public School], I think it’s going to be fabulous.”
The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.
Call Principal Liz Beasley on 0438 653 686 or School Administrations Manager Stacey Hardy on 0439 451 898 for any information.
By Brianna O’Rourke
