New pre-Prep building opens at Cherbourg

Pre-prep students

The Cherbourg pre-Prep building was officially opened on Wednesday 5 November at a community event.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the specially-designed modular building had been tailored to the specific learning and safety needs of children aged 3 ½ to 4 ½ years.

“The building is part of the Queensland Government's additional $24.2 million in capital funding over two years announced in the 2008-09 budget for pre-Prep in Indigenous communities,” said Mr Welford.

“Pre-Prep is a part-time, early education program targeting 3½ to 4½ year olds living in 35 Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities.

“As part of the 2006 Bound for Success education strategies the government committed to enhance the quality and consistency of pre-Prep provision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to better prepare them for school.”

“The Cherbourg pre-Prep children have been in their new facility since the start of Term 3, with 49 children taking part in morning and afternoon sessions,” said Mr Welford.

“As one of the first pre-Prep modular buildings, the teaching team provided advice about how the children use the learning environment and its effectiveness, and these factors were considered during the initial design phase of the building.

“This advice will be used to inform the roll-out of the next phase of pre-Prep facilities in a number of other Indigenous communities.”

Mr Sam Murray, Mayor of Cherbourg Shire Council conducted the official opening and cutting of the ribbon. Mr Murray attended the pre-Prep program many years ago in one of the first intakes of children. The current Pre-prep teacher, Martina Jacobs, also taught Sam in her first year of teaching.

Local Indigenous artist, Vincent Conlon painted a series of animal murals on the side of the new pre-prep building to celebrate the opening.

Mr Welford formally launched Foundations for Success – Guidelines for an early learning program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities at the Regional Parliament in Cairns on 29 October 2008.

The guidelines help educators to plan, implement and reflect on a holistic program for children preparing them for the transition into Prep and Year 1.