Schools get funds to upgrade play areas

Three primary schools in the Rockingham-Kwinana area have received funding for play and shade areas, giving students more reasons to get outdoors.

Comet Bay Primary School was given $5000, which principal Matthew Osborne said would be combined with funding from the school and P&C for a shade shelter.

“We’re very excited about this and are planning to put the money towards a shelter that will be used for athletics carnivals, community events and for students to sit under on hot days,” he said.

Malibu School received $20,000 that will be used to upgrade playground equipment more than 30 years old and create an outdoor gym area. Principal Noelene Mason said the funding would buy equipment and help its playground enhancement project to provide greater access, inclusion and learning opportunities to students.

“We will be upgrading our playground equipment in the senior play area to make it age appropriate and engaging for them,” she said. “The opportunity to play and engage in physical activities in break times allows students to focus in class and get the best out of learning.”

Waikiki Primary School received $20,000 under the program.

Deputy principal Darlene Gostelow said the funding would make a difference to its Early Childhood Area and provide much-needed shade for students to interact and play all year. “We are building a fantastic new nature playground in the Early Childhood Area including a music station, swing frame and a boardwalk,” she said.

“A rainwater tank is being installed as part of the nature playground to teach children about sustainability and we are improving our shaded areas around our school by planting native trees and installing fix shade areas.

“Having natural and fixed shaded areas allows children to play all year round, allowing our students to spend more time outside being physically active.”

Education Minister Peter Collier announced the 61 public primary schools that would share in $1 million funding for new playgrounds and shade shelters last week.