MERRIANG School students in South Morang will have more opportunities to learn, play and develop essential skills following the opening of a new inclusive play space.
The space officially opened on Friday, November 6, with Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles joining students and staff to celebrate the project.
Made possible through $965,000 in Federal Government funding from the Schools Upgrade Fund the new facility includes a designated bike education area designed to cater for the different abilities and needs of the school’s primary students.
School principal Georgia Tsonis said the space provides students with the opportunity to develop practical skills in a safe and supportive environment, as well as encouraging social interaction and movement breaks.
“It has been amazing for the kids, where we can teach them those road safety rules within a controlled environment, something that they can apply beyond the school community,” she said.
Mr Giles said he was proud to see the project come to life after the school community originally approached him with a need that funding could help address.
“For the school community to come to me with a challenge and to be able to meet it is something that I feel really grateful for,” he said.
He said that projects such as the Merriang inclusive play space demonstrate the importance of listening to local communities and supporting ideas that could make a meaningful difference and “in each of these cases it’s often the community that’s coming up with the idea”.
The opening marked an important milestone for Merriang School with the new space providing students with greater opportunities to build confidence, develop independence and participate in activities suited to their individual needs.
