New Palmwoods generation

FROM LEFT: Palmwoods Year One students Meg Frawley,
Todd Nightingale and Kristelle McKay all represent
another family generation at the school.

PALMWOODS State School may be growing, but it can still boast family ties.

Among the 52 Year Ones who enrolled at Palmwoods last week were, from left, Meg Frawley whose great grandfather’s cousin Patrick Frawley was one of the original principals at the school; Todd Nightingale, whose grandmother Dawn Pitt was a student and Kristelle McKay who represents a third generation at the school, following the footsteps of her father Colin, and grandmother, Glena Atkinson.

Palmwoods Principal Don Roche said there had been a marked increase in enrolment this year, with 348 students enrolled and another 50 joining the pre-school.

The new school year also marks the beginning of Mr Roche’s official title as principal, after having been acting principal since May 1996.

He said a number of ground improvements had been carried out during the holidays, including removal of the old school residence. The site will now be used to extend the playing area of the pre-school.

The main oval, which had become too hard to use, was levelled, top soiled, fertilised and seeded; the danger of falling limbs removed from the large tree in the rainforest area; an extension made to the music room and two refrigerated water fountains provided.