Sharon Dimstas
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What years were your children connected with Kialla West Primary School, and what led your family to become part of the school community?
Jenna 1991-1997, Aaron 1993-1999, Holly 1996-2002.
What was your experience like as a parent at Kialla West?
I was involved in Parents Club for many years — Fundraising, social events, sporting events, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, listening to children read in the mornings, working bees in the yard.
A special memory was every Christmas the children would do their plays and singing Christmas carols on the back of a local farmers tray truck.
We made lifelong long friends along the way.
Were there any particular teachers, staff members, school events or moments that stood out for your family during your time at the school?
Robyn Howard (Tingay) taught all my children at KWPS.
We were a part of Robyn’s journey from getting married to her having children.
Robyn’s daughter Amy also taught one of my grandsons.
And Robyn also taught my grandchildren who now attend KWPS.
Peter Llyod was principal while my children were there, he was always so good with all the kids.
Kind and caring to everyone.
Lots of other teachers that taught there were all wonderful.
What do you think makes Kialla West Primary School special, and how did the school support your children during their years there?
There were only 62 students when my oldest started school, it was like one big family where everyone knew each other.
I think having such a small community moulded the children into empathetic and well-rounded humans.
It was a safe environment, all the staff new all the kids and their needs.
Looking back, what does it mean to you to see Kialla West Primary School celebrate 150 years, and what do you hope continues for future students and families?
My hope for the school is for it keep their good reputation it has had over the years.
Murray and Simone Smith
Parents to Jacinta, Kirsty and Brittany.
What years were your children connected with Kialla West Primary School, and what led your family to become part of the school community?
Our association with KWPS started in 1998 when our oldest Jacinta started there in Prep.
Four years later Kirsty started there, followed four years later again with our youngest Brittany beginning her schooling experience there. We were looking for a smaller more relaxed country feeling school for our children.
When Jacinta started there her class of around 21 made up almost half of the school’s enrolment.
What was your experience like as a parent at Kialla West?
Many friendships and social connections were made over our 14-year of association with KWPS with both other families and teachers.
Some of the main community spirit experiences revolve around the end of year Christmas concert when a flat bed truck would be parked as a stage for the students to entertain their families and create their own memories.
This was where it was most noticeable how the school was growing, as from our first experience there was less than 100 people there to our last where it would have been closer to 800
Were there any particular teachers, staff members, school events or moments that stood out for your family during your time at the school?
We valued many of the teachers over the years, in particular Cheryl, Robyn, Pauline, Rose Peter (Wes’ predecessor) and Wes.
Wes started at KWPS when he taught Jacinta in Grade 1 and we saw him progress to become principal, our friendship continues to this day.
We attended many school outings, sporting events and in particular the camps were always a great experience.
What do you think makes Kialla West Primary School special, and how did the school support your children during their years there?
The school provided a small close supporting community both in the classroom and out.
The fact that the school was small enabled a much more personal feel and a feeling that the school and teachers really knew your children and your family.
The development of the sporting groups like the netball and football outside of the classroom, which came into existence as the school grew, also helped the kids develop into well socialised children.
Looking back, what does it mean to you to see Kialla West Primary School celebrate 150 years, and what do you hope continues for future students and families?
The school grew from one building, consisting of a few classrooms and a tiny office and staffroom, to the much bigger school you see today, in the time our children were there.
Even with all that expansion the school still managed to keep its character, this is what we would hope continues to be found in the schools future.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
We wish Kialla West Primary School a happy 150th birthday.
Karen Bollard
What years were your children connected with Kialla West Primary School, and what led your family to become part of the school community?
We had two children go through Kialla West PS, Macy starting in 2009 and Aiden in 2011.
Macy picked the school after visiting a couple of times as she had fiends there. We felt comfortable on our walk through and really liked the room sizes and the teachers.
It felt very welcoming and we loved that the classrooms were full of activity and creativity.
What was your experience like as a parent at Kialla West?
Both the kids and us a parents had a wonderful primary school experience, we were among the school community being involved in all activities.
Both kids played their junior sport for Kialla West.
We took on team manager roles for many years. We involved our selves on all levels within the school, being social events, school excursion/camps, helping out where needed.
I loved the Christmas concert each year.
Were there any particular teachers, staff members, school events or moments that stood out for your family during your time at the school?
We were fortunate to have amazing teachers who were committed the kids and their education.
They created fun engaging and creative spaces where the kids could explore and discover.
They made the spaces just for them and what they were interested in and the kids loved being there.
What do you think makes Kialla West Primary School special, and how did the school support your children during their years there?
It was the people within the school, not just the teachers, but the support staff and school community.
It was a fun environment for us as parents as well as the kids.
The kids felt well supported, the teachers would adapt to them and their learning and this was great for their self confidence within the classroom.
I remember my son being a bit restless one day and his teacher called me in to show me his work for the day.
He didn’t want to sit and read so instead of forcing him and having him be disruptive she gave him jobs to do, he fixed the loose door handle and fixed a few chairs that were wobbly.
He was so proud of himself and so was the teacher and we left with him chatting to me all the way home about what he had done.
Looking back, what does it mean to you to see Kialla West Primary School celebrate 150 years, and what do you hope continues for future students and families?
It has been amazing to watch the growth of the school from when we were there to today.
The new classrooms and facilities means it is not a tiny school anymore.
We have been away from the school community for a while now and don’t really have much to do with it other than catching up with a couple of the current staff, but I hope it is around for another 150 years.