In 1980 the plans were approved and the following year the project got the go ahead. Construction commenced in June 1983 and the first principal,. John Hannath, was appointed in October. Noel Gaden, originally from the steering committee, was elected as chairperson of the governing council.

The school was opened in February 1984 by Education Minister Hon. Lynn Arnold MP. There were 144 students, 13.4 teachers and six ancillary staff, with five school buses delivering children from the local townships and neighbouring farming properties.

‘Field of its own’

Neighbouring cluster schools Ceduna, Streaky Bay and Karcultaby Area Schools are supportive of Miltaburra with resource sharing, training and development sessions, subject support and social interaction with staff and students.

The school motto “In A Field Of Its Own” has a relevant interpretation as the site is in the middle of a paddock. Surrounding the school site are cropping pastures and cows grazing.

Equally, Miltaburra Area School could have Woomera Area School’s motto, which is similar to MAS’s situation. Their logo states that: “Being in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on.”

School spirit

The current principal, Rob Nunan, shares his views on the school: “Having worked in over a dozen other schools as a teacher and in leadership positions, the things that strike me most about Miltaburra are the very strong support we receive from our various communities, the delightful and caring nature of the students that attend regularly and the dedication of the teaching staff. The buildings and resources are also first class but it is the school community which brings these buildings to life. It’s just a great place to be.

“Miltaburra has been successful over the years in gaining government funding to upgrade playgrounds, install rainwater tanks and provide shaded areas. The ground staff this year have erected three large shade structures around the oval and are currently working towards the provision of covered quadrangles to provide respite from the hot summers which will also provide outside learning areas. There is planning underway in having the gym extended to be able to accommodate a near full size basketball court. It is intended that this area be a multipurpose learning and activity covered space. The use of school facilities and spaces are encouraged and will be available to community groups when they come online.

“Miltaburra students and staff have access to sophisticated computer and Information Technology with all classrooms fitted with interactive whiteboards and Sound Field Systems to assist auditory difficulties. Additionally the school has primary and secondary computing rooms allowing student access to computers for a school of this size. Recently DECS has initiated a trial at Miltaburra and Coomandook Area Schools to increase the internet access speed and capability. This should enable the Video Conferencing facilities to be much more successful as a means for staff and students to link with other sites. The Governing Council and sporting groups are currently using this technology to communicate without the need to travel.”

Mr. Nunan adds, “At Miltaburra, staff have opportunities to work with students to assist their learning which are not so common in other schools. There are no significant behaviour management challenges, and students actively care for and support one another across the school. Teachers can trust students to work in small groups in a variety of places around the school at any one time because of this safe and caring learning environment. Every one looks out for one another, students and staff alike. The teachers are able to construct learning opportunities for students which are student driven and therefore more engaging.

“Teachers, students and community, have planted countless trees and shrubs transforming the paddock into a picturesque tree setting. Orchards of quandongs, rows of saltbush and a walking trail are under way. The school also has its own seed to tube stock native plant propagation area, vegetable plots and grapevines. The school has had, for many years, a three holed golf course and sweat tracks and are now constructing an eighteen hole putt-putt golf course. In recent times the senior students have been engaged in planning, design and construction of furniture, surfboards, skateboards, a gaming computer, electric bicycle, go-carts and even an electric utility. There is a Sustainable Living Facility underway which will have solar and wind power, generating the aquaculture tanks filled with marron or yabbies. Students raise hens to sell eggs and have had opportunities with animal husbandry in a strong Agriculture Studies program with the led steer shown at the Royal Adelaide Show, meat birds and fat lambs.

“On the occasion of Miltaburra’s 25th birthday celebration it will be good to look back over the years of students who have successfully passed through our doors and gone on to become successful citizens and perhaps spend a moment to ponder upon the next 25 years and the changes that we might see for the school, our community and society,” Mr Nunan concluded.

Current staff

Teaching staff in 2009 are: Rob Nunan, Principal, Maths, Home Economics); Denise Watson, Director Children’s Centre; Kylie Thorpe, Reception/Year 1; Rebecca Gum, Year 2/3 teacher; Kerri Kelsh, Primary Coordinator, Year 2/3 teacher, Health, Information Technology; Ron Blacker, Year 4/5 teacher, Environment, KESAB; Wendy Pearson, Librarian, PE; Libby Kelsh, Year 6/7 teacher, Art, English, SOSE; Kathryn McEvoy, Year 8/9 teacher, Secondary Coordinator, English, Society and Environment; Lance McWaters, Year 10 teacher, Information Technology, Science, Maths, OA; Andrew Dunn, Design and Technology; Mark Slattery, Info Tech administrator.

Support staff are Hayley Wake, Sondra Kessell and Chris Porter.

The grounds are maintained by Mark Slattery, Lins Pearson and Peter Lawrie.

Christine and Noel Greatbatch have the cleaning contract for the school.

Support staff at the Kindy are Kathy Kelsh, Tamara Armstrong and Jessica Moroney (a student from Karcultaby Area School) on Work Experience in Child Studies.

Bus drivers are Grant Cotton (Smoky Bay), Deane Woods (Haslam), Kathy Kelsh (Wirrulla), Frances Greenfield (Chilpenunda) and Mark Slattery (Nunjikompita).

Music tuition is taught by Allen Wright of Ceduna and Nicole Walkem from Minnipa, who travel to the school once per week. Margaret Kelsh who has been a volunteer since the school began, also teaches students music theory with the Reception / Year 1 learning recorder with Kylie Thorpe.

CELEBRATION?SCHEDULE

Saturday, September 26

12 noon: Baked potatoes, roast rolls, hot dogs, yiros, barbecue and the fabulous Smoky Bay oysters. Bar facilities (no BYO alcohol). Library will be open for historic displays. Classrooms open for viewing. Memorabilia and souvenirs on sale.

2pm: Big screen for AFL Grand Final. Bus tours to historic school sites.

5pm: Speeches and opening of the 1994 time capsule. Cutting the cake and release of helium balloons.

5.30pm: Evening meal entertainment by the Miltaburra music students.

6pm: Ceduna musician Allen “Flip” Wright will play until 12 midnight under a marquee.

8pm: Movie marathon for children.

Camping areas will be made available with a supply of stumps and access to toilet and shower facilities. Showers, toilets and barbecue facilities for breakfast will be made available by the school for Sunday morning.

All former staff, students and community members are encouraged and cordially invited to attend; this is a wonderful opportunity to re-unite with past and present friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

More details: Email 25year@ miltaburraas.sa.edu.au or phone Miltaburra Area School 8626 8088.

Sunday, September 27:

Unveiling of plaques and signs at Nunjikompita and Carawa district historic sites.

11am: Carawa hall, school, cricket and football ovals sites and historic plaque, Carawa East school and football oval site. Chinbingina school site. Nunjikompita portable school site, halls, cricket oval sites/historic plaques.

1pm: Free barbecue lunch at the Nunji Hall with tea, coffee and cakes with the Nunji/Carawa green and gold can holders for sale.

Please advise anyone who may have been associated with any of the above sports clubs, schools, social life or may have previously lived in the area.

More details: Priscilla 8625 4051.