The three-year Masterplan set on paper in 2014 is now
well on the way to completion. A large amount has been invested in updating
resources both within the kindergarten and externally. Following a request at the last meeting the Southern Grampians Shire Council have, yesterday, audited our grounds and there should be a few minor changes to the front garden to make the environment even better for our children. The Southern Grampians
Shire Council have also been successfully approached several times for the
sustainable aspect of the Masterplan and approval for the garden; most recently
we thank them for a grant which has provided the two tumbling compost bins for
the rear garden to allow a high turnover of food waste into garden matter. Thank
you also to Vickery Brothers who kindly donated new coarse river sand for the
Term Two Working Bee and all the parents who came on the day and over the
surrounding weeks to complete jobs on the list. A major physical change is the
fantastic rear garden infrastructure put in by Nathan and Aidan from ‘Tarrington
Landscapes’ over the holiday break. The children had fun spotting the kookaburra and eagle on Monday after reading a Sally Morgan book with these animals in it. Further planting, art works and musical
elements remain for the two groups to construct and participate in. These
elements will make the gardening project a truly ‘sensory’ one for all
involved. Thank you to everyone who contributed their ideas to the ‘Suggestions
List’, Committee Meetings, Staff Meeting, Working Bee, letters via Comment Box
and emails for the project over the last few years. Most of the ideas could be
incorporated by Tarrington Landscapes into the budget set by the Committee
which was no mean feat in itself given the number of people involved. Thank you
to those who donated materials for the project-Rigby Brothers for the gravel.
The edging and timed watering systems should make it a lot easier for families
to continue to maintain when on the garden duty roster, especially with no more
whipper-snipping or onus on the Committee to water over the holidays. The
additional play, meeting places and sensory features will provide a more stimulating
educational environment for the children. I hope a new Masterplan and Committee
can be made in 2017 to continue to develop and maintain the children of
Coleraine and District Kindergarten’s learning environment.
