April makes a giant leap from her small school to the state champs

Susanna Freymark

April Van Dyk loves to jump. She’s been jumping since she was five years old.

The 10 year old Drake Public School student is the first in decades from the small school of 21 students to make it to the regional athletics zone competition in Sydney.

April’s mother Leah Ballard said her daughter practises at home, putting sticks into sawn logs and jumping over them.

April jumped a personal best of 1.19m at the Coffs Harbour Primary PSSA North Coast Regional Athletics Carnival.

She won the high jump comp and heads to Sydney to jump again on October 19.

April has never been to the city or flown on a plane. Her mother will be going with her.

“I’m stoked,” Ms Ballard said.

“If she wins in Sydney, she goes to Brisbane.”

The Brisbane school athletics comp is the final.

Relieving principal Kellie Dean said it has been a long time since a student went to State representing Drake.

“We are so proud of April and her achievements,” Ms Dean said.

“It shows our kids they can dream big.”

A donation tin for travel and accommodation for April is at the Drake Resource Centre for anyone who’d like to help Drake’s most enthusiastic jumper fulfil her dreams.