Prep students’ ‘love of life’ powers Benowa State School

No two days are the same for Benowa State School’s junior head and it’s students like Saxon and Heidi who are the heart and soul of the school. Read their story

Saxon and Heidi are among Benowa State School’s newest prep students. 21 February 2023 Benowa Picture by Richard Gosling

Across the road from one of the city’s most academically acclaimed high schools, Benowa State School primary has taken in its latest round of curious five-year-olds.

Among them are Saxon and Heidi, who’s siblings also attended the school before them.

“Heidi had her older brother here. Hayden was here for all of his schooling from prep to year six but he’s gone on to high school now,” Deputy principal Detta Lange said.

Saxon and Heidi have started their first year of school at Benowa State School. Picture: Richard Gosling

“It’s lovely to see that family continuing the tradition here but also valuing what we offer.”

And with the added benefit of having older siblings, the two students have stepped into their first year running.

“I can already count to one hundred,” Heidi said. “And I can read by myself.”

Saxon, not one to be left behind in any competition, pipes up quickly to affirm his ability to read.

“My favourite book is the Paddington Book,” he added.

But Saxon and Heidi agree that the best thing to do at school is play.

“We mostly play tag and hide and seek,” Saxon said.

For Ms Lange who has been the head of the junior school for a number of years, the best part about working with young students is the curiosity they bring to school every day.

Heidi and Saxon’s older siblings also began their school years at Benowa State School. Picture: Richard Gosling

“I love their spontaneity that comes through responses and conversation and just their love of life is really uplifting,” she said.

“There are funny things every day that kids say and do and that’s another reason why working with such young children is great. No two days are ever the same.”

This year, Benowa State School has enrolled around 100 preparatory students across four classrooms. And as the Gold Coast becomes increasingly more multicultural, the school has become one of the most culturally diverse in the city.

“Our school in its entirety has about 44 different cultural groups that it draws from and I think just about every one of those is present in the prep group,” Ms Lange said.

“It’s wonderful to have all the different cultural backgrounds, different family units. Those sorts of things are really important to us, it brings a special quality to our environment.”

The Gold Coast Bulletin’s My First Year series celebrates your child’s first steps into school.