STUDENTS are lending a helping hand to construction of Penola Primary School’s new nature playground, which will benefit generations to come.
Two groups of students work alongside school groundsman Matt Crewe each week to help construct elements of the play space and replant native vegetation.
It is a key project in the initiative, now in its sixth year of enhancing learning at the school through key life skills including resilience, team work and persistence.
Mr Crewe said students had enjoyed the construction process, which he believed had increased student ownership of the school grounds.
“Students enjoy going outside and the structured play equipment encouraged them to use their imaginations where they get to build and dig,” Mr Crew said.
“They negotiate with one another, source materials to build things and once we removed the playground it was the perfect opportunity for us to do something else.
“It is an opportunity for some of our students to apply their math knowledge and their problem solving skills in a more practical way and they learn how to use tools, work together as a team and how to stick to a job and do it properly.”
Penola Primary School student Ashlee said she enjoyed watching students play on the play area she helped develop with her peers.
“We also enjoyed the planning of it and how many people use it regularly,” Ashlee said.
“We have all learnt a lot about teamwork too which is a highlight.”
Mr Crewe said students have learnt life long skills by joining the initiative as well as the importance of native vegetation.
“The students have been involved in every aspect of the project including the planning,” he said.
“If you ask something about the new playground to them they would tell you everything you need to know which is fantastic.”
The nature playground is expected to be completed in late 2020 with an official opening hoping to be held.
