Built with Students in Mind: Our New Upper Playground is Open!
After a little holiday-break magic, and much anticipation, the new play equipment in the Upper Playground has officially arrived! Designed to spark excitement and engagement, the new space encourages shared use, collaboration, and inclusive play for all students.
Students from the Junior School were actively involved in the planning process, with their ideas and feedback thoughtfully considered throughout. The final design was presented and approved following consultation with Mr Cowell.
In the first few days of the term, students in Years 3–6 visited the playground in class groups to explore the sections that are currently open. During these visits, they were shown how to use the new equipment safely and worked together to establish simple usage guidelines.
The new playground features a rock-climbing wall, ‘ninja-style’ jump pads, and a cargo-net climbing structure. One particularly popular addition has been the new ‘chill-out’ area, where students can relax under the shade sail and enjoy some quiet downtime during breaks.
“I liked the obstacle course. Climbing to the top of the rope tower was tricky.” – Jade
“It was cool to do the slanted steps that felt like I was doing ‘parkour’! But I really love the playground because it’s all blue and my favourite colour is blue!” – Emerson
“I liked relaxing in the tunnel.” – Hannah
“The rock wall was tricky to get up because I kept slipping and the blue balance jumps were really fun.” – Piya
“I could do the Ninja Jumping platforms really fast!” – Oscar
There are still a few areas of the playground that remain a work in progress, including grassed banks and sections requiring additional bark or mulch. While these areas are understandably tempting for digging, students have shown great responsibility by respecting these spaces. Looking ahead, we hope to develop a rock garden and sensory zone, and students will be excited to arrive on Wednesday morning to discover brand-new shade sails in place!
We look forward to seeing the new playground and its unique features used positively and respectfully as part of our School community.
