THE Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School (GGFS) officially opened its new adventure playground last week.

With support from the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Aboriginal Affairs and others, the playground is another learning space for the 50 or so students at the school.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Aunty Jenny Skinner presented the Welcome to Country, and she, with Uncle Gary Williams, Uncle Martin Ballangary and Uncle Bud Marshall, cut the ribbon to open the playground.

GGFS principal Alanah Jack told the audience, “We learned by listening rather than speaking and by being out on country, being mindful.”

She stressed that the playground is an outdoor classroom, along with the school’s bush tucker garden and weekly trips ‘on country’.

“This is a place where our students will play, watch and learn, based on a style of learning that the rest of the world is returning to,” Ms Jack said.

Her words coincided with the release of a new University of South Australia (UniSA) study which found that dedicated nature play areas are underutilised at schools, particularly when it comes to teaching aspects of the curriculum.

“Research shows that nature-based play and learning can improve children’s mental health and cognitive
development,” UniSA researcher Dr Nicole Miller said.

“If schools and teachers can find ways to increase teaching core subjects in the outdoors, it’s likely that the children will be more engaged and connected to their learning.”

After the opening, GGFS students performed a ’Ngarraanga’ to show respect and acknowledgement of people and country, followed by the GGFS song, both in Gumbaynggirr language.

By Andrew VIVIAN