We are excited to share the opening of our new, adventure playground at the Junior School, designed to inspire adventure, exploration and growth in our Prep to Year 2 students. Many of our families will notice that this outdoor space now features equipment that is higher than what is typically found in playgrounds, a deliberate choice reflecting our commitment to fostering safe risk-taking for our young learners.
As part of our philosophy, we appreciate that children need opportunities to push their boundaries, test their limits and build resilience. Our new playground encourages this while ensuring safety through careful design, thoughtful supervision, and a well-structured induction for all students. Here, students will not only engage in physical activity but also embark on a journey that integrates three important learning journeys of knowledge, skills and character.
Knowledge: Understanding the Environment
At the heart of our playground design is the idea that children should be aware of their surroundings and understand how to interact with them safely. During our recent induction, we focused on helping students recognise the importance of being mindful of the equipment’s height and complexity.
Our Deputy Head of Junior School, Sarah McKenzie, enjoyed attending a special induction for our Junior School students and commented on the experience:
“During today’s inductions, we taught our students how to assess their own abilities and recognise when they might need assistance or when to take a break. By fostering knowledge about how to safely navigate the space, children gain more than just physical awareness – they develop a deeper understanding of how to make decisions that prioritise their wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.”
Through exploration, our students learn about risk in an informed, constructive way. This approach fosters critical thinking and empowers them to make thoughtful choices, building a foundation of knowledge that can be applied in various aspects of life.
Skills: Developing Confidence and Resilience
The elevated heights of the playground equipment are designed to challenge students and encourage them to push their physical limits – and even our Associate Principal: Head of Junior School, Simon Cowell, has a turn on the giant slide! Once back on the ground, he shared:
“As children master the various obstacles, they develop essential motor skills, coordination and physical confidence. The skills they develop go beyond just climbing or balancing – they include how to assess challenges, persevere through difficulties and problem solve as they move through the space.”
Importantly, risk-taking does not mean reckless behaviour; it’s about learning through experience. When a student steps out of their comfort zone, whether by climbing higher than they’ve ever tried before or attempting something new, they are building resilience. We recognise that every small success or failure helps strengthen their emotional skills, such as confidence, self-regulation and courage.
The playground becomes a classroom where students practice the kind of skills they will need as they face future challenges in school and life.
Character: Building Strength of Mind and Spirit
While knowledge and skills are fundamental, the development of character is what truly brings the benefits of our playground to life. At the heart of our approach to safe risk-taking is the belief that children must develop qualities such as responsibility, teamwork and respect.
Through the induction process, students were encouraged to work together, helping one another when needed. They were reminded of the importance of waiting their turn, being kind to others and ensuring that their actions were considerate of their peers. This environment of mutual support and encouragement nurtures empathy, patience, and integrity, as students learn how to look out for one another, whether in the playground or beyond. The induction also sparked some great questions from students:
“Do I have to go on the big slide? Can I try the monkey bars? Is it okay if I challenge myself on the bridge? Do I need to be careful when climbing?”
Our playground also encourages a mindset of perseverance – to face challenges with determination and understand that failure is part of the learning process. By accepting that not every attempt will be successful, our students build mental strength and resilience, traits that will serve them well in both academic and personal endeavours.
We are proud to have created a space that not only challenges our students physically but also provides a rich environment for growth in knowledge, skills, and character. As parents, you play a crucial role in reinforcing these lessons. When children come home, continue to celebrate their efforts, whether they succeeded in completing a challenging task or simply tried something new.
By encouraging safe risk-taking, we prepare our students for the many challenges and opportunities that will come their way. As they continue to engage with our new playground, we hope they develop a sense of adventure and confidence that extends beyond this space and into every aspect of their lives.
In this exciting new chapter of our Junior School playground, we are confident that the students will not only have fun but also grow in meaningful ways, embracing each new challenge with curiosity, resilience and heart. We are also excited about the next stage of playground development, with further installations planned for our upper Junior School students taking place in the next year or so.
