Emily, 9, Emily, 8, Hamish, 8, Analeigh, 8, Daniela, 8 and Cody, 8, get a bird’s eye view of their new playscape. 48672 Picture: Nigel Clements
By Casey Neill
SELBY Primary School students are getting back to nature.
The school this month unveiled the latest additions to its growing ‘natural playscape’.
Project manager Claire Ferres Miles said natural playscapes were a new movement in children’s outdoor play areas.
“While many playgrounds are filled with a plastic or metal climbing apparatus surrounded by a sea of wood chops, a natural playscape makes creative use of the entire space,” she said.
“It’s filled with art, hills and mounds, pathways, indigenous trees, plants and grasses, herbs, open areas, wood, sand, water, music, and more.”
Ms Ferres Miles said the playscape would become an exciting and inspiring ‘outdoor classroom’ for students and staff, a key feature of the school grounds and a new community playground outside school hours.
The play area features chainsaw carved art sculptures, an ocean sandpit with its own carved pirate ship and ocean log wall, mushroom seats, a fairy gate and stepping log walls.
The $100,000 project covers 2000 square metres and is being funded by school fundraising. “Easter egg raffles, a Mother’s Day stall and every cent we can find,” Ms Ferres Miles said.
Parent volunteers and local business sponsors have donated time, skills and supplies.
“The school is keen to get the whole community involved in building this beautiful, exciting and amazing once-in-a-lifetime project,” Ms Ferres Miles said.
The school invites community members to donate time to help out on Community Build Days.
Readers interested in helping out can call Selby Primary School on 9754 2675.
