Outdoor play area launched

KOROIT students are now enjoying a new outdoor learning area thanks to recent upgrades.

As part of the Koroit and District Primary School’s NAIDOC Week celebrations, a special ceremony was held last Thursday to officially open the new space and recognise the many school community members for their input and hard work.

This included the school’s Hands On Learning team who designed and built the tables and chairs – and shovelled many barrow-loads of rocks to fill the area.

Parents also contributed, filling garden beds and planting bush tucker plants that are now growing in planter boxes.

Once established, the plants will be used in the school’s kitchen garden program, and a hedge and vertical garden will soon be added.

A feature of this new learning area is a beautiful mural, painted by Levi Geebung (with contributions from all students) which depicts two culturally significant places in the area.

Last Thursday’s official opening included a Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony. Special guests Levi and Reuben explained the significance of such an ancient tradition and welcomed everyone present to participate.

Students, teachers and families walked through the smoke while Levi played the Yidaki (digeridoo). School principal Tanya McPherson thanked all those who made the outdoor classroom possible and students spoke about what the area means to them and how they were looking forward to using it.

The celebrations ended with sausages on the barbecue, cooked by members of the school’s Parents and Friends group.