|
 |
Previous story (News Browser) Next story
Comment on this story
Six schools in the borough now have fantastic revamped playgrounds, thanks to a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
The projects are a spin-off from the larger facility developments, including two synthetic turf pitches, two multi-use games areas and a hydrotherapy pool, at five other schools in Bexley.
Cllr Geoff Hacker, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture, and Cllr Trevor Perrin, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, have expressed their delight that more schools have benefited from the Big Lottery Fund grant.
The six schools that now have bright new playgrounds are Oakwood School, Hillsgrove Primary School, Belmont Primary School, Normandy Primary School, Lessness Heath Primary School and Gravel Hill Primary School.
Some of the schools’ playgrounds were resurfaced and they all had new brightly coloured thermoplastic markings put down. To further improve the playgrounds and to make them ‘3D’, target wallboards, wall and tabletop games were also added to some areas.
Some sports equipment was also included in the re-design, for example, netball and basketball posts and some multi-use goal units that integrate basketball and football posts.
The package from ESP included a half-day of training for the schools’ lunchtime supervisors and staff. This was provided to ensure that the children can make the best possible use of the new playgrounds. The schools also received an equipment pack to increase the games and activities on offer.
Jeff Laws of Hillsgrove School says: “The markings are great and loved by the children, who are using them before and after school and during breaks”.
The other head teachers and playground assistants have praised the positive effect of the new playgrounds. They have reported that the children are more engaged and enjoying all the different areas they can play in with the variety of activities on offer.
Comment on this story
Are you up for a challenge? The Bexley Environmental Challenge, now in its 13th year, is a challenge with a difference. It aims to promote and reward the excellent environmental work undertaken by individuals, communities, schools, businesses and enthusiasts across the borough.
This year’s competition will have a new category to commemorate former Howbury Pupil Referral Unit teacher Clyde Pugh, who passed away last year. The Clyde Pugh Award, for individuals who have helped to improve the environment in the education sector, is a way of honouring him, as well as the efforts of other environmental champions like him in Bexley’s schools.
Clyde was passionate about the environment and shared his appreciation for the outdoors and wildlife with colleagues and pupils alike. His commitment enthused many of his students to undertake a range of their own environmental projects.
So, why not spring into action and take part in the 2006 Environmental Challenge or Business Environmental Challenge? Winners could win a trophy or a cash prize of up to £800.
Schools, community groups and local businesses can enter their projects, such as litter clearing, landscaping, recycling, educational and long-term environmental schemes, for a range of other awards.
Organisations can submit projects in the following five categories, which are also broken down by age group -
1. Recycling
2. Nature conservation
3. Environmental activities
4. Air and water
5. Education
There is also a separate competition for businesses - the 2006 Bexley Business Environmental Challenge.
Last year over 42 organisations entered projects into the Environmental Challenge. The North West Kent Countryside Partnership took the top prize for their work with their volunteers at Chalk Woods, and clearing invasive species from the River Cray
The deadline for applications this year is 30 April. Shortlisted projects will be visited in June and July.
For more details, or an application form, call Mark Taylor on 01322 356806 or e-mail mark.taylor@bexley.gov.uk. Entry forms are also available online at http://www.bexley.gov.uk/service/environ/challenge.html
|
|
