Draft:Marie Bashir Public School

Marie Bashir Public School (MBPS) is a government, primary (K-6), co-educational, day school, located in Strathfield, a western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Established in 2014 and operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, the school currently caters for approximately 220 students from Kindergarten to Year 6. Previously, it was Sydney Adventist College, an independent, co-educational, secondary, Seventh-day Adventist, day school, which closed in 2012 due to financial problems.

It opened its door with an initial intake of just 87 students, in 2014, but has the capacity of up to 500 students.

The school facilities include a huge auditorium, which can be used for concerts as well as sport, a full soccer pitch, two tennis courts and cricket facilities.

The Marie Bashir Public School, named in honour of the Governor of New South Wales, and is considered recognition that the long-serving Governor was a product of public education, having graduated from Narrandera Public School and Sydney Girls High School. It is one of the very few public institutions named after a modern Governor of New South Wales, whilst still in office.

The school is estimated to have cost the government $26.3 million, including the purchase of the site for $25 million and a $1.3 million capital works program to upgrade classrooms, the canteen and student toilets and to install a lift. Building a brand new school of this size in this area would have cost in excess of $38 million.

History

 * 1952 Sydney Adventist College in Albert Road Strathfield opens.
 * December 2012 Sydney Adventist College, Strathfield campus, closes due to financial problems.
 * March 2013, the NSW Government purchased the former Sydney Adventist College Strathfield campus.
 * 2013 Renovations to the existing school begin.
 * 21st October 2013, the Premier Barry O’Farrell announced the name of the school ‘Marie Bashir Public School’.
 * October 2013, the Marie Bashir Public School Parents & Citizens Association begin operating.
 * At the commencement of 2014, the school had an enrolment of 67 students.
 * 26th February, 2014 Marie Bashir Public School was officially opened by the Premier Barry O’Farrell and Governor of NSW Marie Bashir.
 * July 2014, the Government refurbished another 3 Classrooms.
 * December 2014, the Government commences refurbishment of a further 5 Classrooms.
 * At the commencement of 2015, the school had an enrolment of 226 students.

Sports Houses
All children are placed in a Sports Houses and remain in the house assigned until they leave MBPS (siblings are assigned to the same house). The house system provides a sense of belonging and a vehicle for healthy competition. The houses are named after the first four Governors of New South Wales: Children compete in their houses in athletics and swimming carnivals and in inter-house sporting competitions in the winter and summer sports programs. A shield is awarded to the champion house at the school’s Annual Presentation Day held in December.
 * Phillip (Yellow) – Captain Arthur Phillip, Term in office 7 February 1788 – 10 December 1792
 * Hunter (Green) – Captain John Hunter, Term in office 11 September 1795 – 27 September 1800
 * King (Red) – Captain Philip Gidley King, Term in office 28 September 1800 – 12 August 1806
 * Bligh (Blue) – Captain William Bligh, Term in office 13 August 1806 – 26 January 1808

Public Speaking
MBPS has an internal public speaking competition run twice a year in Terms 1 & 4.

Art
MBPS has a specialist Art teacher.

Science
MBPS has a specialist Science teacher.

Parents & Citizens (P&C) Association
The MBPS P&C was established before the school was opened to students. It currently operates the school's canteen and uniform shop.

Category:Primary schools in New South Wales Category:Public schools in New South Wales Category:Educational institutions established in 2014 Category:Strathfield, New South Wales