Kumbia kindy and state school merge
When the small South Burnett township of Kumbia looked like losing its kindergarten because of dwindling numbers, a bit of lateral thinking was needed.
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The merging of two education facilities in Kumbia has saved the South Burnett township’s education services.
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In July 2022, the Kumbia Kindy committee and Kumbia school principal Michael Sutton met with Nanango LNP MP Deb Frecklington to discuss the possibility of merging the kindergarten with the school.
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Mrs Frecklington said the committee and principal were seeking a solution to the problem of keeping their small community-controlled kindy operational.
“The idea of integrating the kindy with the school, similar to what had been achieved at Bell State School was suggested,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The families also shared the importance of retaining kindergarten services in their township, explaining that if the kindy closed down it would mean a one hour round trip to Kingaroy to access kindergarten,” she said.
The merger has saved many families from having to move closer to Kingaroy to avoid one hour return trips for kindy, with Kumbia State School now guaranteed a feed through of kindy students moving up into the junior and high school.
Mrs Frecklington advocated for the merger and spoke directly to Education Minister Grace Grace about the idea.
Mrs Frecklington said it was fantastic to see the idea come to fruition for the region’s youngsters and their families and to learn that the first term of the new arrangement had been successful.
“I recently visited Kumbia State School to present the new school leaders with their badges and it was great to hear the new kindy program has got off to a great start,” Mrs Frecklington said.
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