Mathoura Public School received a grant to further its commitment to sun safety and providing sun-safe areas for students to play and learn.
‘‘Installation of sails over the school’s newly extended sandpit and recently upgraded playground, as well as the school amphitheatre now offer students many shaded outdoor areas to access while being protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays,’’ principal Janice Eddy said.
Mrs Eddy said the project was selected in consultation with the school’s P&C committee, specifically with student safety and wellbeing in mind.
‘‘The installation was funded by a successful grant application through Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley and the Local Schools Community Fund,’’ Mrs Eddy said.
‘‘We received $13,860, and the benefits of this addition are already being seen throughout the school.
‘‘Students now share recess and lunch eating times together in the school amphitheatre and the playground is now accessible all year round with students safely playing under the shade even on the particularly warm first few days of the 2020 school year. Outdoor learning has also been allowed to take place.’’
Mrs Eddy said the new shade sails will also be enjoyed outside of normal school hours.
‘‘Mathoura Public School takes part in the state government’s initiative called ‘Share Our Space’, where the school grounds are open during the school holidays for the whole community to enjoy the playground, oval and sporting fields,’’ she said.
‘‘The completion of this project will now allow greater use of the school grounds both during the school term and the school holidays for the community and visitors to our town.
‘‘It is an incredibly valuable project that will continue to demonstrate benefit for many years.’’