A New Playground for Junior School

A New Playground

for Junior School

By Joanne Barker, Head of Junior School

While the world has been changing rapidly, so too have our Early Years and Junior School playgrounds. Outdoor play is a vital part of our program at Korowa, and it is widely recognised that play helps children understand the world around them and how to navigate opportunities. While physical benefits include development of gross motor skills and a healthy lifestyle, children also gain much socially and emotionally from the great outdoors. As children explore the world around them, they are letting their imaginations run wild and experimenting at a pace that suits them. They feel safe and in control as they make decisions about what to explore or who to play with next. Socially, they are expanding through sharing resources and ideas, and negotiating with their peers through conflicts. Children’s self-confidence flourishes as they explore, and they beam with pride as they share discoveries with their peers and educators. Our new sensory-rich playgrounds allow students of all ages and abilities to discover through tactile, auditory, sensory and visual experiences. Buddy activities, outdoor lessons and performances in the amphitheatre have also become part of their daily routines.

Meika Georgiou, Alannah Argyropoulos and Esther Olszewski

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Scheme (SAKGS) program Scheme (SAKGS) program

Along with the playground, the vegetable patch has been recreated. Through the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Scheme program, children will learn: • positive food habits for life • about their natural environment • practical skills including recycling, composting, preserving, budgeting and fundraising • life skills, such as co-operating, sharing, critical thinking and leadership • engagement, especially those who face barriers learning in the traditional classroom environment. Years 3 and 4 students participate in this program. The introduction of a worm farm, hot house and composting will allow the girls to learn about all aspects of growing fruit and vegetables and understand how they can become more sustainable at school.