Two years ago the Department of Education came and removed the playground equipment at Kellys Plains Public School.
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It was for safety reasons they said, but it left the playground bare.
Now, for the first time in almost two years, students at Kellys Plains Public School will soon have playground equipment to climb on and enjoy, thanks to fundraising and an appeal to our state MP for funding.
More than $32,000 from the state government, along with money raised by the school's P&C, will be spent on installing a new nature-based play space and garden.
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"Despite the all the old playground equipment being removed from the school the Department of Education refused to replace it, instead, leaving that job to the school community," Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said.
Kellys Plains is a small school with limited funds and despite some outstanding fundraising efforts, there was still a huge amount of money required.
P&C Association President Stella Single said acquiring a new playground had been the major focus of the school community and everyone was extremely excited to finally see it come to fruition.
"We have received the most amazing community support for this project, from nature play educators to our local CWA," Ms Single said.
Ms Single approached Mr Marshall to help out the school community and the MP said he was delighted with the $32,230, which will ensure all 24 students at Kellys Plains will next year have an exciting, modern playground to keep active and have lots of fun.
"I want to recognise Stella and all the members of the Kellys Plains Public School P&C Association for the work they have done fundraising the additional money needed to pull this build off," Mr Marshall said.
"With the playground set to be prominently located right at the front of the school I think it will bring a real sense of pride and joy to the entire community."
Ms Single said the P&C has been working closely with a Sydney-based company that specialises in nature based play spaces and gardens and they were hoping to have the playground constructed early in the New Year.
"Where we can, we will source the building materials and plants locally," she said.
"We are so thankful that so many people believe in the vision for this space, and for a wonderful future for our school, and we can't wait to be able to share this playground with them."
