Children around South Australia have this week embraced the new school year. The students of Taparra Primary School, however, have embraced a new name, a new uniform and a new outlook that principal Caitlin Manser hopes will make the small school the best little primary school in the north.

Until last year the school was known as South Downs Primary, which Ms Manser says was confusing to many given its location in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

The new name, meaning Along the Path in Kaurna, was chosen in collaboration with Kaurna and Narungga man Jack Buckskin to symbolise the school’s path towards inclusion and to recognise the positive changes that have taken place throughout the school community.

Along with the new name, uniform and branding the school, which has 117 students, has also installed sign boards in each playground area featuring keywords which aim to empower students from Taparra’s Disability Unit to communicate seamlessly in the mainstream yard and encourage an environment that allows all children to engage and interact.

Ms Manser, who joined the school in 2022, says the new name perfectly reflected her and the wider school community’s hopes going forward.

“My vision for this school has always been to make it a school of choice in the northern suburbs,” she says.

“When Jack (pictured right) suggested the Kaurna word Taparra, which means “along the path”, we knew this represented us and our core values so perfectly, as inclusion is at the forefront of everything we do, especially with an onsite disability unit.

“At Taparra Primary School, our vision is that everyone is on the same path together, working together to ensure the best outcomes for our students.”

After working at schools in Whyalla and Port Augusta before taking on a role within the Education Department, Ms Manser was offered the opportunity to work alongside Westport Primary School principal Rebecca Huddy.

“It was more or less a principal’s apprenticeship,” she says.

“After that I found myself at Taparra and I just fell in love with it. It really is a hidden gem.”

Ms Manser says refreshing the name and look of the school had been on her agenda since starting in 2022. The new logo, school colours and branding were decided after extensive consultation with the Governing Council, students, families, staff and community.

“We want this school to be the school of choice, but many people were confused by the name,” she says.

“Some people had no idea we even existed. The uniform was maroon and the logo was from the 1960s, so we wanted a whole new feel.

“This school is at the heart of this community, and I’m a strong believer that students at schools in lower socio-economic areas should have exactly the same opportunities as any other students.”

At just 31 years of age, Ms Manser admits she’s quite young to be a principal but says she sees this as one of her strengths.

“I think I bring a sense of passion and energy to the role,” she says.

“And a commitment to really bring a sense of belonging and pride in the school because that is so important for the students.”