The local country village school with a huge heart, beautiful surroundings and impressive educational programs.
Choosing the right school for your little one can be a daunting task which is why taking a tour is a great starting point. It allows you to get a feel of the place and the people so when the time comes to make the decision, you’re well informed.
We truly are spoilt for choice when it comes to exceptional schooling options in the Southern Highlands and in the same way not all kids are the same, not all schools are the same either.
With the glorious winter sun on our backs, we recently enjoyed a tour of Berrima Public School and couldn’t help but feel that this school epitomises everything we love about life in the Southern Highlands.
Tucked away in the quintessentially charming town of Berrima, this is an establishment where the students spend most of their time outdoors, where progressive programs are offered and where the community spirit shines through.
Here is a glimpse into daily life at this special school.
1 :: Bush School
We were greeted with warm and welcoming smiles from Karyn Fitzgerald, school principal and one of the office ladies whose own children attended the school. With great enthusiasm we were led to the outdoor area known as “Bush School”.
Never mind rows of desks and a blackboard, Bush School consists of a firepit and beautifully handcrafted wooden benches (made by a grandfather of the school) on which the children can sit and learn. At Berrima academic learning doesn’t just happen in the four walls of the classroom.
From cooking over the fire pit coals, to using various tools, or studying nature, some lessons extend into the bush area but this is the main class ’room’.
2 :: A nod to history
Berrima Public School was one of the first schools established in the Southern Highlands and in 2019 they celebrated marking 150 of education.
Karyn explains how past students, including those from decades ago, will stop by to say hello and visit their old school. There is a deep seeded sense of pride and fondness for the school with students both past and present.
The original principal’s living quarters, a beautiful sandstone cottage looking onto the vege garden, remains untouched and although serves a different purpose these days, is still functional. Respecting and keeping alive its history whilst progressing into the future is very important to the school.
3 :: Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program
As part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program, students are taught how to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal food.
With a sprawling vegetable garden and lesson area of which Stephanie herself would undoubtedly be proud, the students are heavily involved in the garden and different sustainability projects.
Forget paddock to plate, at Berrima Public School it’s ‘from seed to plate’.
4 :: Mini cooks in the kitchen
As we stepped into the beautiful architecturally designed kitchen classroom, we were embraced with the delightful smell of apple crumble, freshly baked for an upcoming school community event.
You could hear a (rolling) pin drop when we visited, just a small group of students were happily sitting with their teacher whilst the glorious sunshine streamed in through the windows. How wonderful to have such a stunning space in which to be creative.
We love that some staff members joke that if there was a bed available in the kitchen classroom, they would happily sleep in there. We concur!
5 :: Chardy Town
The next tour stop was a school playground like no other. Affectionately known as ‘Chardy Town’, this is the area that the kids race to as soon as it’s play time.
The rules in Chardy town are pretty straightforward such as: use your imagination, build and construct something out of nature and learn to trade fairly using pinecones (the official currency of the town).
To the uninspired eye it may not appear to be much – an area with dirt and mud, tree stumps, some hanging tyres, tarpaulin and planks of wood – but to these kids, it is everything. It doesn’t get better than the simple pleasure of being out in nature where imaginations can run wild.
6 :: We are family – it takes a village
Our tour coincided with a break and as the children played in the sandpit and on the equipment nearby, the bond between the older and younger students was obvious with the older ones genuinely caring for and looking after the littlies.
Once you become part of the school, you are part of a family. As Karyn explains “it’s a place where you come and stay or keep coming back to”.
They truly believe that it takes a village to raise a child. Sounds like an idyllic village to us.
7 :: The Great Outdoors
It is common knowledge that if your child comes home dirty from a day at Berrima Public School, it’s been a good day. And besides needing to buy some extra Napisan, what’s not to love about this.
A huge part of life here is being outdoors, all year round and as much as possible. It’s an inherent part of their education. And it’s not just the students! Staff meetings will often take place out in nature as well.
At Berrima we don’t let the weather dictate what we do, we simply dress for the weather.
We admired the orderly line of coloured gumboots outside of the kindy classroom, ready and raring to go.
8 :: Community minded
Home to the ever-popular Berrima Schoolyard Markets, the community is at the very core of this school. The markets are run by the P&C and those working in the kitchen café on market day are all volunteers.
And it’s not just the markets. There are various events and many opportunities for parents, families and the community to get involved.
Whether you are new to the area or longstanding highlanders, what a wonderful way to instantly become part of a warm, welcoming and generous community.
9 :: Happy faces
As we poked our heads into the kindergarten classroom, we were met with beaming little faces who were heading outdoors with gusto and energy that goes hand in hand with five and six year olds. Behind them was a vibrant and colourful classroom that even had its own bird feeder just outside the window.
Two girls were keen to present the flower shape they had created from their stones.
Caring for, nurturing and encouraging the students whilst celebrating their individual skills and interests are at the core of the school. It’s no wonder we saw nothing but happy little faces all around.
10 :: Moving into the future
As we wrapped up the tour, Karyn and Maree discussed upcoming projects and plans. With a new nature-based adventure playground currently being constructed and more plans for the kitchen including innovative cooking programs, there was certainly a buzz in the air.
It was inspiring to see their passion and unwavering commitment to the school motto “Growing hearts and minds of lifelong learners”.
Our tour left us feeling inspired and gave us a thorough understanding of what this unique school is all about and what it is offering our future generations.
Love the sounds of this wonderful school? Get in touch to discuss enrolments and arrange a tour for yourself.
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