The first excursion for Bingara Central School using its new 12 seater bus will be to Canberra where Year 9 history students will undertake research at the National War Memorial.
Principal Mark Vale says he will be in the driver’s seat and expects the $50,000 bus to be delivered before the end of April.
New England Mutual has been one of the sponsors, donating $3000 towards the project. “It’s a great community project which will benefit the school and its students for many years to come,” said CEO Kevin Dupé.
“Kids at country schools need wheels to allow them to participate in sporting competitions, excursions, careers markets, the UNE Open Day and other activities. We are very pleased to join the other sponsors to raise the funds in what has been a very successful campaign.”
Mr Vale said the school had received $5,500 through the ANZAC Community Grants Youth Program for the Year 9 students to create a short documentary on the school’s alumni who have served in the two World Wars and the Vietnam War. “The new bus is ideal to transport a small number of students undertaking this project,” he said.
“We can access large buses for big numbers of students but there is always a need for transport to enable smaller numbers of students to participate in special activities and the new vehicle will be ideal for that.”
The need for the bus was identified three years ago with the school’s P&C finding $17,500 from its canteen fund to start the campaign.
Graincorp donated $10,000, NEM $3000 and the remainder will come from the Variety Big Bash which raises funds to assist regional schools and organizations.
Bingara Branch Manager Chris Kneller said NEM was happy to support such a worthwhile project and the bus donation was in addition to $3,500 in sponsorships to 15 local community organizations this year.
