Undera PS 150 years

Kinder right next door

By Kelly Lucas-Carmody

Oct 29, 2026

Early childhood teacher Emma Bourke has loved being part of the close-knit kindergarten community next door to the school. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

For the kindergarten next door to the school, the close relationship between the two has become an important part of life in the Undera community.

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While the kindergarten and primary school are separate entities, the two share resources, programs, activities and, of course, plenty of familiar faces across the fence.

Early childhood teacher Emma Bourke said the connection between the two was a valuable one for children and families.

“We’ve got a really good community partnership with the school and share a lot of resources ...,” Emma said.

Children from the kindergarten regularly visit the school and take part in activities, while school students and families also remain familiar faces for the younger children.

The two have shared programs including music, bike riding, tree planting and an Anzac Day service, while the kindergarten has also been able to access some of the school’s resources, including its bike track and go-kart bikes.

Emma said the relationship gave kindergarten children a sense of familiarity as they eventually make the transition to school.

“They can see each other sometimes, so they’re waving to their friends and saying hello,” she said.

The kindergarten itself has an important history in the community, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

It began in the primary school in 1996 before the growing school needed the classroom space.

The community then rallied together through the Undera Community Project to establish the kindergarten on its current site, where it opened in 2000.

Today, the kindergarten has six children enrolled, with capacity for up to 20.

Emma said the smaller group provided a wonderful opportunity to build strong relationships with each child.

“A smaller group gives you that time to have those intimate conversations, really build relationships with children, get that time for engagement and participation,” she said.

The kindergarten will join the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations, opening its doors to visitors, past families and the wider community.

Memorabilia, photographs and activities will help celebrate its own history, with several families still connected to the kindergarten from its early days.

Emma said the small numbers did not mean children missed out, with the kindergarten able to access a wide range of programs and resources through its connection with the school and wider community.

“Just because the numbers are smaller doesn’t mean that they’re missing out on anything.”