Bingara Central School is one of 10 schools across the region throwing open the gates to its playgrounds and courts these school holidays.
Thursday, 26 September 2019
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has announced today that 10 local public schools would make their playgrounds, ovals and sporting courts available to the public these school holidays.
Red Range, Croppa Creek, Warialda, Bonshaw, Yetman, Boomi, Mallawa, Pallamallawa and Tulloona Public Schools, as well as Bingara Central School, were throwing their gates open to the community over the next two weeks as part of the State Government’s Share Our Space Program.
Mr Marshall said opening safe and purpose-built play areas that would otherwise be left unused was a great way to get kids active these holidays.
“Our public schools have great facilities and opening these spaces to the community during the holidays is a brilliant use of space,” Mr Marshall said.
“With children needing 60 minutes of outdoor activity a day it can be hard for parents to find a safe, free and fun place for their kids to play.
“The Share Our Space program helps solve the age old task of keeping the kids entertained in the holidays with the Department of Education carefully assessing schools to ensure those who participate are safe and secure.”
Mr Marshall said he was pleased to see the number of participating schools in the region continue to grow each school holidays since the program first began in December 2017.
“Schools are at the heart of our local communities, which is why I am thrilled to see more and more schools opening their gates every school holidays,” Mr Marshall said.
“Last holidays, our region had nine schools participate and in the space of two months we have seen that number reach double figures.”
The participating schools all receive a $5,000 payment to help maintain and upgrade school playground equipment.
The 10 schools will be open during the holidays, between Monday, 30 September to Sunday, 13 October, between 8am and 5pm each day.