LOCAL LIFE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE : Jess Wanders by Lorna Gordon
If you want something done , ask a busy person , and Jess Wanders is a very busy person indeed . She has four kids who are still at school , runs a busy dance and drama academy , helps with her husband ’ s business and still finds the time to help at the P & C for Schofields Public School !
Jess grew up in Schofields and hasn ’ t moved very far from her old stomping ground , now living in Riverstone . She started dancing at only four years old and competed at many eisteddfods . She performed at the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2000 and at the Pan Pacific School Games .
When I asked Jess about what it was like to perform at these ceremonies , she remembered them fondly .
“ Performing at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games was a huge highlight for me . All the rehearsals were done at the Aerodrome at Nirimba when it was still there .”
“ On the day , we walked through the audience and out onto the track area , I remember it being amazing , all of the people were taking photos so there were flashes all over the stadium , I don ’ t remember much about our routine because everything else was so huge !”
Dance remained a big part of life for Jess as she went on to teach in a dance school once she finished school . Then she decided to branch out with her friend and fellow dancer , Lynn , and formed Wicked Dance Academy in 2018 .
They teach all kinds of dance and also have a drama and musical theatre class for those who want to treat the stage in a different way . Both Jess and Lyn are proud to be an inclusive school opening their doors to welcome kids with all abilities and diversities .
“ I always wanted to have my own dance school . Dance is a great outlet for everyone , it helps children build confidence , self-awareness and selfesteem . It helps children work on gross motor skills , to learn to work as a team and to socialise outside of their usual social circles . We are inclusive of all abilities , and we feel strongly that everyone should have the opportunity to try performing ,” Jess told me .
Not only does Jess work hard in her own business , she is also a member of Schofields Public School P & C committee .
“ I went to the school as a student , my mum and dad were part of the P & C and when my kids started I wanted to be part of it too . It ’ s a good thing to do , you get to meet parents , the teachers and other staff , see how the school runs and have some input into certain things that are put forward .”
Jess has seen a lot of changes through the years , from her time as a student to watching the school and community grow , to the opening of a brand new school and the recent centenary that Schofields Public School celebrated .
“ I was on the committee as a parent rep for the school ’ s centenary celebrations , which were special to be part of . I was also part of the group who ensured the air conditioners which had been purchased by the P & C for the school were reinstalled in the new school . I felt it was important that the staff and students were comfortable in the classrooms , and I ’ m pleased we were able to achieve that .” The last of her children will be going to high school this year and Jess is going to take a step back from her role on the P & C .
However , she encourages other parents to get involved , become part of the P & C for only $ 1 membership and have your say in what happens in your child ’ s school .
Jess is a busy wife , mum and business owner who still finds the time to be on her kid ’ s school P & C .
Jess encourages other parents to get involved , become part of the P & C for only $ 1 membership and have your say in what happens in your child ’ s school .
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 34 // JANUARY 2024 11