A community effort between teachers and parents has paid off at Noranda Primary School, alongside a grant from Hawaiian’s Schools Program, resulting in the installation of ‘The Mansion’ – a cubby house for the school’s Pre-Primary students.
Located in the school’s Early Childhood Centre, the idea for ‘The Mansion’ came about from the students themselves after a class project proposing design improvements for the school’s existing Fairy Garden. The addition of the cubby house in the garden sought to extend the play area whilst also providing a valuable learning opportunity outside the classroom.
The ‘play to learn’ initative saw the cubby house designed to be reimagined as a shop, office or a community facility as part of the children’s play activities. Through allowing imaginative play, the cubby house aims to develop creativity, imaginative exploration, decision making, problem-solving and social skill enhancement.
Noranda Primary School Principal Jeffrey Murphy said the utilisation of the new play area would be based on choices and decisions made by the children themselves.
“We are implementing a true child-directed approach, as outlined in the National Quality Standard – a national benchmark for the quality of children education - which advocates the concept of play as an integral part of learning,” said Mr Murphy.
“At Noranda Primary School, we’re committed to responding to the ideas and suggestions of our students and implementing child-directed programs where we can.”
“The cubby house is just one example of the ways we are looking to listen to our students to find new ways to play and learn, and we thank Hawaiian for supporting this initiative.”
Hawaiian’s General Manager, Shopping Centres Suburban Portfolio, Scott Greenwood said Noranda Primary School’s student led initiative was a project Hawaiian was pleased to support.
“As an organisation, Hawaiian is always seeking new ways to engage with and inspire some of our state’s most valuable people – our youth,” said Mr Greenwood.
“From our partnerships with the Perth Wildcats and West Coast Eagles through to partnering with local schools via the Hawaiian’s Schools Program, we are proud to be partnering with organisations doing innovative things, and inspiring young people with new ideas.”
The cubby house was funded by the school and a financial grant as part of Hawaiian’s Schools Program, which seeks to positively impact schools, teachers and students within the areas Hawaiian operates in, and maintain long-standing partnerships with local schools.
With the help of parent volunteers in the painting of the cubby house, the final product at Noranda Primary School is ready for warmer spring play.