Consultation started on use of outdoor space

Consultations have begun between staff and the school community about the use of outdoor space at Pretty Beach Public School.

The school's last Parents and Carers Group meeting heard from principal Ms Karren Wardlaw who outlined areas of interest the school was exploring.

"Rather than simply considering re-turfing our oval, we are thinking creatively about how to construct purposeful play spaces and engaging garden areas for students to sit, chat, engage in quiet or imaginative play, while leaving purposeful areas free for our kids who love to run around and burn up some energy," Ms Wardlaw said.

"I believe that playing and moving are essential to young children and, at our school, I am keen to see the physical curriculum, including play, supported and promoted by developing and improving our physical school spaces.

"With the Parents and Carers Group input and in initial collaboration with both a wonderful local landscaper and Sydney designer, we have created a plan which encourages and invites children to experience both natural and man-made elements in our school environment," Ms Wardlaw said.

"There is compelling research on the positive relationship between exposure to green spaces and children's and adolescents' mental health.

"We want to create green, welcoming, environmentally harmonious spaces which encourage engagement and free play.

"Incorporating interactive garden areas that provide opportunities for students to explore and play imaginatively as well as to provide spaces for purposeful, quiet play.

"Designing garden areas with a focus on sensory engagement was also a goal, as well as including plants that could be incorporated into our kitchen garden program.

"The final focus was strategic planning for water management.

"The possibility of incorporating a 'rain garden' into the designs is exciting, as is the thoughtful and effective planting included in the design, incorporating gravel, stone and sand elements into garden beds to reduce water run-off.

"I love the idea of teachers not asking students to 'get out of the garden' but rather, enabling and encouraging students to engage positively with play spaces that reflect and accentuate our beautiful environment and native surrounds.

"I look forward to working with our Parents and Carers Group to finetune the design to best meet our needs and purposes in the coming months," Ms Wardlaw said.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 7 Nov 2019

Karen Wardlaw, Pretty Beach Public School