03 Sep 2014
Lunchtime can be a stressful time for children. While some students are happy to kick a soccer ball around or play a game of hide and seek, others can find it hard to create their own fun. Teachers at Murwillumbah Public School recognise this and have created a variety of quality, structured activities for students to choose from so that lunchtimes are fun for everyone.
Every day there are different activities on offer. Always popular is the quiet sanctuary of the library where students can read, draw or assist the librarian. Quiet Games in the new school hall is also an option for those who like board games. The school has bought many old and new favourites such as Master Mind, Monopoly, Connect 4 and Guess Who. These games are not only fun but they teach children to share, take turns and use thinking skills while taking refuge from the playground. This is especially popular in the summer months. The well equiped computer room is also available at lunch time for students to utilise.
This year the Garden Club was created with some amazing results. In there own time, teachers have built several small gardens so that students can assist in the planting and maintenance process. Fresh produce, such as lettuce and fruit, are used in the school canteen. Students from each class have the opportunity to work on the gardens in their lunch time as a part of the structured play acticities.
Due to the success and involvement of the students in the Garden Club, MPS has received a grant from Coles Junior Landcare. Mrs Parkes, the teacher responsible for the submission, explains that the $1143.90 will be used to extend the existing garden beds and to buythe required tools to maintain and care for the gardens. The Garden Club hopes to be building several new garden beds, one specifically for herbs, as well as beginning a bush tucker garden with the support of our Aboriginal community.
