Principal Steve Bevan with Lola Ruru and Leo Arends (kindy). Photos: Martin Kennealey
Camera IconPrincipal Steve Bevan with Lola Ruru and Leo Arends (kindy). Photos: Martin Kennealey Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Grandis Primary School welcomes first cohort of Banksia Grove students

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

THERE was plenty of excitement and a few nerves as Grandis Primary School’s first students arrived for the start of term today.

The Banksia Grove school has 116 children enrolled in Kindergarten and Pre-Primary, more than the 80 originally anticipated last year.

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Felicia Kupa said while it was a bit sad when her son Charlie McLeod (5) started Kindy last year at Banksia Grove Primary School, starting Pre-Primary was more exciting.

Charlie McLeod (pre-primary).
Camera IconCharlie McLeod (pre-primary). Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“He has been really excited about his first day,” she said.

“He has got his best friend in his classroom from Banksia Grove Primary School.”

The mother-of-three said her oldest son would also be excited to see construction of the rest of the school take place over the next year, especially the big trucks.

Benjamin Potgieter (pre-primary).
Camera IconBenjamin Potgieter (pre-primary). Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The family moved to Banksia Grove almost three years ago, where the population has more than doubled in the past seven years, with a high proportion of young families.

“In our area especially, there’s a lot of kids – it makes it easier for him to make friends,” Ms Kupa said.

Sister Frankee (5) and Billie (3) Newman were among the first cohort of students starting on February 4.

Frankee and Billie Newman (pre-primary).
Camera IconFrankee and Billie Newman (pre-primary). Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Frankee was going into Pre-Primary after also doing Kindy at Banksia Grove Primary last year, and said school was “lots of fun”.

“We get to colour in and take it home – it’s so much fun,” she said.

Amelia Birch and Lucian Willet (pre-primary).
Camera IconAmelia Birch and Lucian Willet (pre-primary). Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Their mother Amy said Billie was a little more hesitant about starting Kindy as she had not been to day care yet, but as they lived nearby she had been watching the classrooms being built and waiting for her turn to start school.

Kindergarten newcomer Lola Ruru (4) was also excited and rang the school bell to mark the start of term with fellow student Leo Arends.

Jett King (pre-primary) and his brother Jayden (2).
Camera IconJett King (pre-primary) and his brother Jayden (2). Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Foundation principal Steve Bevan said everything had come together well for the first day at the $14 million school, which will expand to Year 6 classes in 2020.

“Once we get the kids settled in and into routine, it will be a job well done,” he said.

Last year, Banksia Grove Primary School had about 190 students in Kindy and Pre-Primary, and the suburb had more than 1100 children aged four and under according to the 2016 Census.

Charlie McLeod (pre-primary).
Camera IconCharlie McLeod (pre-primary). Credit: Supplied/Supplied