Our School - Outdoors at EPS

 EATON PRIMARY NATURE PLAY

Child-led play in the outdoors (nature play) enriches childhood with movement, with imagination, with friendship, and with all the sensory wonder that nature brings

It is a joyful part of a full and healthy childhood and it supports every aspect of children’s development including their physical and mental health, social and emotional development, the building of resilience and creativity, and their connection to nature.

Why Outdoors? Benefits for children who are exposed to not only structured lessons but more importantly play in outdoor environments include

·         More advanced motor fitness

·         Improved participation levels.

·         More diverse play and imagination.

·         Improvement in cognitive development.

·         Improved behaviour.

·         Improved health.

·         Reduction in stress.

·         Assists children in dealing with adversity.

·         Increased attendance.

·         Developing an affinity with nature and a positive environmental ethic.

·         Improved positive peer relationships and social interaction.

·         Increase attention spans.

 School grounds development at Eaton Primary School has been a long-term project that commenced in 2012 and continues.

Grounds development has included a combination of expenditure options ranging from donated supplies to purchased purpose-built playgrounds and everything in between. Cost has not inhibited development of Nature Play at Eaton Primary as low cost options have dominated our Eaton Primary Schools natureplay development. 

OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS

Eaton Primary School has three outdoor classrooms.  All utilise recycled logs  from the old Bunbury Jetty which were donated to the school when the jetty was demolished in 2013. Logs were stored on site for 2 years while they dried out and lost their very strong marine smell.

Outdoor Classroom Locations

1.    Adjacent to parking area at the front of Diadem St

2.    Not So Far Away Tree.  Outside the Library.  The tree doubles as a climbing tree during breaks.

3.    Garden of Eatin, Behind the hall.

GARDEN OF EATIN

FOOD PRODUCTION This aspect of school grounds development centred on growing food. Many students are unaware of where food comes from. Their experiences centre on food coming from supermarkets. Growing food adds another dimension, incorporating the taste sense into school grounds development. Children plant and ultimately harvest produce which is either incorporated into class cooking or taken home to share with family.

Garden of Eatin experiences are included through Technology which is delivered by a specialist teacher.  Students have designed, planted and maintain this interactive learning area.

Included in the Garden of Eatin

·         Vegetable Garden.

·         Fruit Tree Orchard.

·         Fort ‘Eggsellence’ (Poultry/ egg production.)

·         Native Garden.

·         Frog Pond and Creek.

·         Shade House and Hot House for plant propagation (Sales through the annual Eaton. Foreshore Festival).

·         Sustainability where our green waste is recycled into compost.

SUSTAINABILITY