School bus gets William's wheels turning

“It’s great because I get to go to school on a real school bus,” William said.

William and his family recently moved to Durham Downs, 70km north east of Roma, after selling their Cape York cattle property, Koolburra Station, 60km north of Laura.

Last year William completed Prep via the Cairns School of Distance Education and although he loved the experience, he was delighted when his mother, Nicole, told him he’d be attending Roma State College for Year 1.

“He was excited to be starting at school but going on the school bus was a really big deal,” she said.

“He immediately told his distance ed class all about the bus.”

William leaves home each morning at 7am and doesn’t arrive at school until just before the first bell at 8.30am.

“It’s a bit faster in the afternoon – he’s usually home by 4pm but the trip doesn’t seem to worry him,” Nicole said.

“The other kids on the bus have made him feel so welcome and he’s just slotted into school nicely so we couldn’t be more delighted.”

Nicole has deemed the trip too long for William’s little sister, Isabella, who is completing Prep through the Charleville School of Distance Education.

“Prep is just such an important year and I wanted it to be a fun year for her where she wasn’t getting too tired,” Nicole said.

William is also looking forward to attending his first school fete with the Roma State College hosting its biennial fete on Friday March 27.

The fete is a major fundraiser for the P&C Association and dozens of parents have spent months organising some impressive attractions and activities for the night.

With a giant slide, mini jeeps, rides, a baby animal nursery, over 40 stalls, a bar and even an opportunity to “dunk your teacher”, William’s not too sure what to expect.

“I’m pretty excited about it but I don’t know what I will do there,” he said.

William’s new friend, six-year-old Angus Wall, is also heading to the fete and said he was looking forward to having “something to eat”.