If there’s one wish we could ask for this school holidays, it’s probably for more ways to entertain the kids.
And it turns out our wish has been granted by an unlikely Christmas elf. NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes just opened the gates of 42 schools for the whole summer.
Mr Stokes launched the Come Play Summer Pilot Program at Mona Vale Public School. The program lets families use the valuable play spaces during school holidays.
“Schools are an important part of every community and often occupy prime open space. Instead of locking the gate this summer, the trial program will share this public space to allow people to exercise and play at their local school over the summer holiday break,” Mr Stokes said.
“We are trialing the program during the holidays with selected schools opening up their playgrounds, ovals and sports courts for the enjoyment of their communities.”
School’s not out for summer
And parents who live near public schools with the newly-opened playgrounds are thrilled.
Trista Smith, a mum-of-two and teacher from Gunnedah, lives near GS Kidd Memorial High School. She told Mum Central:
“I’m really excited about this. The school has great equipment and it’s safer than a lot of the parks around here, because the grounds are fenced and away from traffic. Plus it’s just down the street from us!”
And it’s not only good news for parents. The schools and their communities will receive a boost too:
“Participating schools will receive a $15,000 grant to help upgrade their facilities for community and school use,” says Mr Stokes.
Find your closest school
The following schools will open from 23 December, 2017 to the end of school holidays in late January, 2018:
| Region | School | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Central Coast | Belmont High School | 424 Pacific Highway, Belmont |
| Hunter Central Coast | Cessnock East Public School | Old Maitland Road, Cessnock |
| Hunter Central Coast | Hunter School of Performing Arts | Lambton Road, Broadmeadow |
| Hunter Central Coast | Lambton Public School | 18-30 Croudace Street, Lambton |
| Hunter Central Coast | Maitland Public School | 70 Elgin Street, Maitland |
| Hunter Central Coast | Muswellbrook High School | King Street, Muswellbrook |
| Hunter Central Coast | Redhead Public School | Hutchinson Street, Redhead |
| Hunter Central Coast | Wangi Wangi Public School | Dobell Drive, Wangi Wangi |
| North Coast | Bowraville Central School | 23 High Street, Bowraville |
| North Coast | Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie Campus | Owen & Burrawan Streets, Port Macquarie |
| North Coast | Toormina Public School | Cavanba Road, Toormina |
| North Coast | William Bayldon Public School | Lyons Road, Sawtell |
| North Western NSW | GS Kidd Memorial High School | 37 Lincoln Street, Gunnedah |
| Northern Sydney | Asquith Boys High School | Jersey Street, Asquith |
| Northern Sydney | Beauty Point Public School | 17 Medusa Street, Mosman |
| Northern Sydney | Marsden High School | 22a Winbourne Street, West Ryde |
| Northern Sydney | Mona Vale Public School | Waratah Street, Mona Vale |
| South Western Sydney | Appin Public School | 97 Appin Road, Appin |
| South Western Sydney | Belmore South Public School | Nelson Avenue & Canterbury Road, Belmore |
| South Western Sydney | Campbelltown East Public School | Waminda Avenue, Campbelltown |
| South Western Sydney | Campbelltown Performing Arts High School | Beverley Road, Campbelltown |
| South Western Sydney | Granville Boys High School | 14 Mary Street, Granville |
| South Western Sydney | James Busby High School | Brolga Crescent, Green Valley |
| South Western Sydney | Liverpool Public School | Railway Street, Liverpool |
| South Western Sydney | Prairiewood High School | Prairievale Road, Wetherill Park |
| South Western Sydney | Strathfield South Public School | 457 Liverpool Road, Strathfield |
| Southern NSW | Glenroy Public School | Logan Road, North Albury |
| Southern NSW | Griffith High School | Coolah Street, Griffith |
| Southern NSW | Koonawarra Public School | Byamee Street, Dapto |
| Southern NSW | Lavington Public School | 497 Hague Street, Lavington |
| Southern NSW | Murray High School | Kaitlers Rd, Lavington |
| Southern NSW | Wollondilly Public School | Newton & Hoskins Streets, Goulburn |
| Sydney | Bangor Public School | 130 Menai Road, Bangor |
| Sydney | Georges River College Hurstville Boys Campus | Kenwyn Street, Hurstville |
| Sydney | Haberfield Public School | Denman Avenue, Haberfield |
| Sydney | Illawong Public School | Fowler Road, Illawong |
| Sydney | Marrickville High School | Northcote Street, Marrickville |
| Sydney | Mortdale Public School | Colebourne Avenue, Mortdale |
| Sydney | Pagewood Public School | Page Street, Botany |
| Western Sydney | Blaxland High School | Coughlan Road, Blaxland |
| Western Sydney | Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School | Great Western Hwy, Emu Plains |
For more ways to keep the kids occupied during the holidays, check these ideas for fun summer activities.
