our story
Starting in 2002, we have come a long way from a normal house to the school that exists today.
read more about how it all began below…
Creating our school has been a lot of hard work by many parents, family, friends and volunteers as well as generous contributions from individuals and businesses. Financial support has also been received from Commonwealth, State and Local Government through grants. Our thanks goes to them all.
The journey has and continues to be a huge undertaking that required becoming familiar with shire requirements, planning applications, neighbourhood approvals, Office of Non-Government Education processes, grant applications, building construction, landscaping and renovations.
There have been many high and low points, but these images and words are provided to celebrate our successes and achievements. Keeping a positive mind helps us to not only appreciate but continue to find ways to improve the environment we have worked so hard to produce for our children.
2002
Playgroup started in 2002. Once approval had been granted, our first school opened in February 2003. It was a normal house filled with lots of different work areas.
fun
From the outset it was about the children having fun while being creative.
garden
The backyard was in constant use with lots of outdoors time.
1st site
The first school site was only ever a temporary measure and we quickly outgrew it so plans were underway for a bigger school site.
2006
In 2006 new site the building arrived. Being a transportable from Manjimup it had to be cut into 8 sections and transported by trucks to Boyanup.
fit out
The building was completely fitted out by the school community, using trades people when it was required.
parents
As well as kitting out the inside the outside needed to have steps fitted and a new paint job, with verandas, guttering and rainwater tank being added soon after.
landscape
The outside work involved lots of other jobs like paving, laying turf and setting up play areas.
new beginnings
Three weeks after the building arrived the mammoth effort paid off and and the new school was ready for us to move in for Term 1 of 2006.
space
We were very grateful for the extra space, simple things like the veranda to allow parents to meet up made life easier.
lake
Having direct access to the lake also provided a wonderful learning environment and place to work off energy.
improvements
In 2008 the old building got a face lift with a new roof.
2008
The school continued to thrive and with growing numbers the building felt small, until in 2008 the next building arrived.
new entrance
With the new building we set about to make a new entrance to the school with landscaping and paved areas.
wonder wall
For Christmas 2009 we built a “Wonder Wall”, a quiet spot for personal contemplation.
1st graduates
Some children who started when Child Side school opened in 2002 reached high school age, and joined the Family Learning Association.
2010
During 2010 the school continued to improve the facilities, with a third school building, undercover area (HUB) and extended parking.
bore
With all the new building work the school has also established a more reliable supply of water with both rainwater tanks and a groundwater bore.
2011
2011 saw a hive of landscaping activity round the new buildings, including a new fruit garden
sustainable
The school also completed a number of projects to make it more sustainable, including rainwater tanks and wicking garden beds to improve water efficiency and solar panels to generate electricity.
oval
he school oval took a huge leap forward with the delivery of truck loads of sand and sprinkler system.
2012
2012 was the tenth year of children, educators and parents walking the Child Side way. As part of the celebrations a special enterprise evening was held that included a Chinese dragon dance, Double Dutch skipping exhibition and fire twirling!
Manea
The school’s relationship with Manea Senior College has been considerably strengthened with children from the Family Learning Association making regular trips to make use of their facilities and to orientate themselves for year 11 and 12 studies.
graduates
Nicholas Lawler and Jaiden Lanigan started at Child Side ten years ago and are the first children to graduate, and will next year be attending Manea Senior College to further their studies.
2013
The hard fund raising efforts of the Parent and Friend group helped in paying for the reticulation system, ending the time consuming manual task of watering the oval with a mobile sprinkler.
choose respect
Child Side school joined the growing community of Choose Respect, with which it shares common ideals that are actively encouraged and practiced as part of our daily routine.
2017
Child Side School became an official High School replacing the Family Learning Association. Child Side proudly now teaches from Kindy – Y10.
high school
The new High School building was completed and ready for Term 2 of 2019
