ABOUT US
Merrigum Primary School is a rural school serving the Merrigum township and surrounding community. The students come from families involved in farming, local small business and industry or government instrumentalities in the larger centres of Kyabram, Tatura and Shepparton. The school joins with Mooroopna North, Undera, Harston, Ardmona and Dhurringile to form the Midland Rural School Cluster.
The school’s enrolment has steadily declined over the last ten years. The majority of students either walk, ride or are transported by private car.
Located on a large site, the school now consist of four classrooms. Three of these are located in the main building. The other room is a relocatable (mod 2) which is used as the Mobile Area Resource Centre’s base library and resource centre. The attached MARC van delivers a library program for twelve schools within the district.
The large grounds include sporting and recreational facilities, which are utilised outside school hours by the local community.
At Merrigum Primary School we strive to develop children as effective members of our society, building on strengths and successes and developing skills and positive attitudes. Emphasis is placed on creating an environment within which children feel safe and secure. The benefits of co-operative strategies are recognised and encouraged in building academic development and social skills. Teaching and learning methods emphasise inclusion, social interaction and concern for others. Students are encouraged to think critically and independently and to be involved in all aspects of our school program. Our school aims to provide a broad yet balanced curriculum in the Key learning areas with particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy. The Early years program is well established in P-4 and many of these strategies have been extended into the upper grades. All classes have composite grades where teachers plan their teaching and learning programs co-operatively and multi-aged groupings are used to the advantage of developmental learning. This year we have three classrooms until lunchtimes, this caters more specifically for students in the areas of literacy and numeracy. After lunch students are then put into two classrooms in the groupings of P-2 and 3-6, this caters for the other KLA’s for the students. Students also have library and Art on alternatives weeks throughout the year. Performing Arts will be covered in terms 2-4 whilst in term 1 students will receive a Science based program.
Specific features of our education program include: access to visiting art and Library services, Science and Performing Arts programs covered throughout the year, Early years program including Reading Recovery and a literacy aide to assist students in the later years in a 1-1 program.
Merrigum Primary School is deemed as an isolated school and we have an extensive excursion program utilising facilities in the nearby larger communities including Shepparton Art Gallery, Westside Performing Arts Centre, Shepparton Science and Technology Centre, SPC Ardmona Kidstown and sporting facilities. Advantage is also taken when visiting authors, artists and cultural presentations are in the district often combining with nearby schools when greater numbers are needed.
A focal point of student involvement at Merrigum is the operation of our Student Government providing students the chance to take responsibility within their school and to extend learning beyond the classroom. Our Student Government consist of : Student Prime Minister, Student Deputy Prime Minister, Student Clerk, Student Environment Minister, Student Fundraising Minister, Student Sports Minister and Student Junior Ministers. We have also brought back our school houses which are Mapiyal, Goodoo and Yinka. These are used to enhance student learning and for inschool activities.