BEING in a small school doesn't mean you miss out on big fun and a big education – just ask the 130 youngsters who are this week recovering from an action-packed three-day drug education at Copeton Dam.

Organised by Gum Flat Public School principal Chisholm Bloch, the camp involved students from small and sometimes isolated schools, including Wongwibinda, Wytaliba, Mingoola, Gilgai, Delungra and Black Mountain.

"It was primarily a drug education and prevention camp as part of the statewide initiative Leading Education About Drugs," Mr Bloch said.

"As small schools, we pooled our resources to make it work."

He said it gave students from small schools a chance to see what it would be like to be within a larger school community.

"It gave them a chance to practice things like getting along with one another in a larger environment and to overcome some of the issues associated with attending a smaller school," Mr Bloch said.

One school that attended has a total of just four students.

The highlight of the camp was an indigenous performance by actors from the Queensland Arts Council, including former Inverell student Ben Daley.

The troupe performed Picaninni Dreaming for a captivated audience, in a piece that highlighted issues like decision making and peer pressure.

Other activities during the camp included drama, screen printing and specialised sports coaching in netball, gymnastics and volleyball.

Students also took part in the highly physical climbing wall and archery stations.

Gum Flat school's parent body organised the catering and the students slept either in tents or the bunkhouse, depending on their age.

Mr Bloch said Copeton was a fantastic venue for the event, providing attractions like the waterslides to energise the children, while remaining affordable for use by such a large group of schools.

Mr Bloch said it was likely the event would be held every two years.

© 2007 Inverell Times

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