Turua primary gets much-awaited playground
After the playground opened teachers at a Thames school faced a novel problem – the pupils did not want to leave at the end of the day.
The pupils at Turua Primary School are having so much fun they do not want to go home at the end of the day – the playground they been waiting for has finally been completed after a 10-year wait.
As a result of the Swamp Festival held in November, Turua Primary School students finally celebrated the opening of their playground on May 15 at a cost of just more than $33,000.
Principal Tracey Fisher said many parents helped with organising the preparation and installation of the new playground, which has been needed for almost 10 years.
“Our students have not wanted to go home at the end of the day – they want to stay and play on the new playground.”
The Swamp Festival, which was held on the November 21 last year, was attended by more than 3000 people and helped raise $12,000 for the playground.
Fisher said that winning the “That’s Life Carnival Competition” meant that many of the rides and attractions were able to be funded which helped keep costs down for the community.
Swamp Festival event coordinator Megan Way said it is fantastic to see the students finally being able to enjoy the new playground.
“Our celebrities that came on the day, Robbie Magasiva and Lisa Chappell, were fantastic and are pleased to know they helped in getting the playground installed.”
Fisher said that students’ physical development was taken into consideration when selecting the new playground.
“The school selected structures that require a wide range of movement in promoting muscle development, as well as being great fun.”
Also contributing to the total cost of the new playground was money from the PTA and a Community Trust Grant.
Student Devon Winstone, 9, enjoys spending time is enjoying his time out of the classroom.
“The new playground is cool because it is much brighter than the old one.”
Fisher said the playground now has activities for all students including climbing and overhead activities and a new slide.
“It has been amazing to see so many students on the playground at any one time laughing and having a great time.”
