Exciting times are ahead for Narrabri Public School and the wider community with the arrival of their new Variety Sunshine Coach. To celebrate the unveiling, the school hosted a special assembly followed by a delicious morning tea and lunch.
Variety Bash cars were out and about with the Narrabri Variety B to B Bash car carrying the theme of the ‘Mario Kart’ video game.
The drivers Tracey Rex and Stuart Black dressed up as two popular characters from the game, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.
The second Variety bash car to arrive was Lee Estens and Trisha Siddins from Moree, representing the Moree showgirls in their flash, music-lovin mobile that definitely turned heads entering the school gates.
After a chance for students to have their photo taken and get autographs from the bash drivers it was time for a special assembly.
Following shortly after was the chance for some leaders of the school to hop on the new bus for the first time.
There was a demonstration by Variety’s head of kids support, Lara Kerr, on how to operate the accessible wheelchair component at the back of the coach.
Lara had travelled from Sydney that morning and was excited to come along and be a part of this special school community celebration.
“It’s so fantastic, this is the last bus for us to deliver as part of this grant round. Their schools have been waiting a little bit of time to now finally seeing the bus on their school grounds,” Lara said.
“I think sometimes you forget how exciting and what a big deal it is for a community.
“To see the kids wanting to rush on the bus and hearing about the teachers getting their licences to drive it, it’s really great.
Variety has been delivering Sunshine coaches to schools and community groups since 1975; they’ve delivered around 1480 buses across Australia.
“Variety steps in when no one else can. When there’s a gap, that’s when we’re there. Sunshine Coaches is the perfect example of that,” Lara said.
“I think learning doesn’t just happen in the school grounds, it happens in the community, the swimming pool or wherever you are.
“It’s there for everyone, a huge community opportunity.
“The best hope is that it’s part of the community, when the kids are out and about, everyone’s going to know.
“They’ll see the bus, they’re going to know it’s a Sunshine Coach and that the community worked hard.
“They’re going to know that Toshiba supported them as well as Variety to make this happen.”
Narrabri Public School principal Claire Allen was very happy and proud of the day and this great new addition to the school and wider community.
“It’s a great opportunity to open our doors and celebrate the innovative steps that we’re taking towards supporting our students holistically,” Claire said.
“We focus on sport because it is the obvious one, but it’s so far beyond sport.
“Having this bus will mean that being able to facilitate end-of-year swim school, will be a possibility.
“It will mean that more kids can participate in RDA on an annual basis, it will mean that we’re able to do mini excursions with classes based on curriculum, on a regular basis.
“It will mean that we can participate in cultural events and language development courses for our students, with our big focus on Kamilaroi language.
As well as Variety’s relationship with Toshiba, the school’s fundraising efforts were put towards this investment to make it possible.
“We have a passionate P&C, dedicated group of parents that work tirelessly. They made the commitment to match our school dollar for dollar.
“Our students did some fundraising towards this as well through the SRC.
“So, it was very exciting that they were prepared to put in the money that they earnt.
“Fundraising in towns like ours goes beyond the school gates, it’s often part of the wider community, and we’re forever grateful for the ongoing support of our community in making sure that we can achieve these sought of goals.” Claire said.
