A new playground, designed to provide an inclusive play space for students of all abilities to enjoy, opened at Upper Plenty Primary School last week.
Built with the support of a $163,000 grant through the State Government’s Inclusive Schools Fund, the playground features a range of activities to give all students an opportunity to take a break from the classroom, enjoy the outdoors or play games with their friends.
Principal Sue Egan said the playground would cater to the needs of every student at the school.
“The goal of this was a playground where all the children in the school could play, but particularly where students with additional needs could have a special place where they could go to have a break or some quiet time,” she said.
“It’s also a place where we’re encouraging multi-age play so that children are mixing with other children from all ages, so we’re promoting kindness and cooperation and including everyone in games.”
Upper Plenty Primary School applied for the grant through the Department of Education and included the opinions of students in the application, helping to guide the types of equipment that students wanted to have access to at their school.
The playground was built on a previously underutilised hill on the school’s grounds and features a slide, miniature fire truck, interactive games and simple activities to help connections between students.
“It’s getting used every day. It’s being used by our education support staff to take students with additional needs out for a break sometimes, or if a child is feeling upset or troubled, I’ll come and sit here with them,” Ms Egan said.
“It’s a really nice space to sit, we’re just thankful that we’ve got this space and we’re absolutely delighted with it.”
