BEACHPORT Primary School students have even more reason to look forward to recess and lunch breaks thanks to a new playground in the school yard.
Local families, individuals, business owners and service clubs banded together to complete the nature play area project, which features a mud kitchen, wooden climbing equipment and a water play station.
Principal Di Loveday said the development project was a testament to the strong and supportive Beachport community.
“It took many people, many hours of work to complete the project,” she said.
“I can safely say that everyone in our school community contributed in some way.
“We greatly appreciate all the support we received – it certainly could not have happened without it.
“The children and students at Beachport primary and preschool are thoroughly enjoying the new play space and it is wonderful hearing the conversations that occur in the middle of play and the inherent learning that is happening.”
The driving force behind the three-year project was Beachport Primary School’s governing council chairperson Melissa Reilly who organised a number of working bees and also coordinated and sourced supplies and donations from businesses.
Ms Reilly said she had always been passionate about nature play because of the developmental benefits, which was why the school decided to build a nature play area over the traditional commercial playground.
“We all know about the five senses – touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight, but for kids to have a healthy development there are two more sense they need to develop in their sensory system,” she said.
“These are vestibular – which is all about balance – and proprioception – which is all about where our bodies are in space.
“These are the two hidden senses we need to develop for everyday functioning.
“Nature play areas are perfect for developing these senses because of the unpredictable nature of the surrounding and the sensory system having to be engaged.
“This does not happen as much from the commercial products with smooth paths, smooth surfaces and predictable ways of playing on the equipment.
“Having this sensory system helps kids build foundations to coordinate everything like their emotions, behaviour and of course movement.
“Nature provides an ideal environment for this, which is ironic that we now need to build nature into our schools.”
The concept of the nature play area started in 2015 before the first official meeting in 2017.
It was officially opened at the end of last year.
