2019 New Playground Equipment

2019 Staff At Play 1

This week saw the opening of our new play equipment.

This was a source of great excitement for students and staff alike. To ensure that the playground is used in a safe and responsible way we have put a number of measures in place.

Firstly all students have been oriented to the playground by Mrs Brogden, our specialist PE teacher. This orientation involved the students, during their scheduled PE lesson, being given an opportunity to explore the equipment, but also to have important safety measures explained to them. Students were encouraged to plan their ascent and descent. The “belly button rule” was introduced whereby the children were directed to keep the top rail of the equipment above their belly button to ensure that their centre of gravity was maintained. Students were given a chance to experiment and appropriate use of the various elements of the equipment was explained. Thus all were familiarised prior to the free play period.

Secondly we have developed a roster for use of the equipment to ensure appropriate numbers of children on the equipment at any given time and also to ensure that we have children of similar age/ability using the equipment at any given time. Each class has either a morning tea break or a second half of lunch allocated for their time on the play equipment, with the exception of Kindergarten and Year 1 who have their turn during their weekly Gross Motor sessions. The classes are rostered so that the younger students access the equipment at recess when it is cooler, the older students, who are more readily able to monitor themselves with the heat, are rostered at lunchtime.

Finally we have allocated one teacher to monitor the play equipment during the breaks. This is in addition to the playground supervision we previously had in place. The planned transition has been very successful. The new equipment not only adds to the students enjoyment of our playground space but provides another piece of equipment that can be used creatively to enhance student learning. If you have not already had an opportunity to see the equipment our Catholic Schools Week Open morning, details of which are contained elsewhere in the newsletter, is a great opportunity to do so.

Written By

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary Seven Hills
www.ololshills.catholic.edu.au

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02 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Our students took part in meaningful Holy Week reflections, journeying through key events including Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Stations of the Cross. Through prayer, Scripture and symbolic actions, the children deepened their understanding of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. It was a reverent and powerful experience for all and we are so proud of how our students embraced this special time.

31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our Kindergarten and Year 1 students led our school community in a beautiful Palm Sunday Reflection. 🌿 With gentle voices, thoughtful prayers and joyful hearts, they reminded us of the true meaning of this special time in our faith. We are so proud of the reverence, confidence and spirit they showed as they guided us in reflection. A wonderful moment of faith, learning, and community.