Learning truly does occur anytime and anywhere at Mount Ousley Public School.
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School principal Peter Holmes said the recently completed outdoor classroom was a hit with students and teachers alike.
‘’The outdoor classroom fits perfectly with our belief that learning occurs anytime, anywhere,’’ he said.
‘’It used to be the case that learning at school would only occur in classrooms. Now we know that kids enjoy flexibility in how and where they learn.
‘’Their learning also benefits from having choice; they’re able to collaborate more easily or find their own personal space that allows them to be productive.’’
Mr Holmes said the outdoor learning project wouldn’t have been possible without Gonski money.
He said students played a big part in the design and building process.
‘’It’s a mountains to the sea theme,’’ he said.
‘’We used good quality, local materials to create a forested area with timber benches, a stone wall, musical instruments and native garden.
‘’Further down the slope there’s a communal area we call the campfire, before the space opens up into a beach area, complete with jetty and surf boat.
‘’We even created the Five Islands.’’
The space will be used daily as a play area and a learning centre.
‘’The area’s big enough to comfortably accommodate a couple of classes and since our students each have a connected device, we’d expect to see iPads and laptops alongside drawing pads and science gear,’’ Mr Holmes said.
‘’The kids are so excited about exploring and using it...one of them said ‘’this is the best thing the school has ever done’’.’’