COMPTON Primary School has once again secured success in the Australian Anzac School Awards as state runner-up for a united effort by students.
With involvement by the entire school throughout the year, there are multiple aspects to the Compton Primary School project.
“Students firstly completed interviews with surviving Mount Gambier veterans and performed research on others,” spokesperson Shirley Roulstone said.
“They also hand-crafted multiple murals which are soon to be featured within the RSL and have showcased their work with displays at the school.”
One big component was hand-written letters middle and upper primary students sent home, as though they were present at war.
“‘I was personally involved in writing the war letters and I really enjoyed it and learnt so much,” school captain Cody Williams said.
Lastly, a 20 minute movie was produced using a green screen and a lot of imagination.
Having a tight connection for over 15 years with Mount Gambier Community RSL, a foundation has been formed for the school activity.
“Compton Primary School regularly visits the RSL on excursions, entertaining the local veterans,” Ms Roulstone said
“We also invite speakers here for informal presentations, with RSL president Bob Sandow and vice-president Des Scheidl recently visiting the establishment.
“It’s now part of our school history.”
The latest exhibition attracted many regional residents, with even older veterans visiting the school to view the entry.
All students from Reception to Year 7 are involved in the project as part of their learning curriculum.
“Everyone enjoys it anyway, so we’re all happy to participate,” school captain Ava Norman said.
“I have been here since Reception and participated every year I have attended Compton Primary School.
“It’s a pleasure being involved and recognised within the community as we are such a small school.”
Competing every two years since 2010, the tight-knit school community has a string of successes associated with the contest.
“The first time we ever entered the competition we (were awarded) state winning school, which motivated us to keep entering,” Ms Roulstone said.
“It got even better with our second entry winning the state school award, plus a national title.
“On our third application we received the highly commended award and now this year we were state runner up.”
Student learning has been enhanced through the project and Ms Roulstone said any wins were a bonus to a successful program.
“Our students gain so many essential skills from completing this project,” Ms Roulstone said.
“Not only do they become aware of how important our national history is, their research skills improve, they develop empathy for past generations, move forward on their literacy skills and they have formed special connections with community members and groups.”
School principal Bec Keely is glad to see the project progress with each entry.
