Site: Port Macquarie Public School, 1 Grant St, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444
Client: Department of Education – NSW
Age Range: 5-12 years
Year: 2023
About Port Macquarie Public School
Port Macquarie Public School is a proud champion of diversity in education. Offering both mainstream and supported learning classes, it has the largest supported learning unit (7 classes) among schools on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. With a commitment to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for every student, the school community wanted to install a truly inclusive playground. This would ensure all students have equal access to social and learning play opportunities.
From exclusion to inclusion
Previously, the school’s play equipment wasn’t accessible. Children with limited mobility were excluded from playing and socialising with fellow students. Many students have complex and physical needs, and the school was determined to cater for them in their new and improved playground.
The new inclusive playground needed to fulfil these important goals:
- Design activities that promote social interaction, physical activity, and learning through play for children of different age and ability groups.
- Create a playground that’s accessible and offers play to ALL students.
- Provide sensory experiences through creative use of vibrant colours, musical play, and fun, interactive play panels.
- Include communication boards to make it easier for non-verbal students to participate in play activities.
- Support independent and social play while making supervision easy.
Transformation
Focusing on these goals, we designed and installed an inclusive playground catering for children aged 5-12 years with diverse needs and abilities. Together with an external expert and in collaboration with the school, we developed site-specific signage to suit the needs of non-speaking students. The playground has now been transformed into a social hub that celebrates disability.
All eyes on the Diabolo Multiplay unit
The centrepiece is the inclusive Diabolo Multiplay unit J38122-C. Accommodating up to 25 users, the unit features a ramp allowing easy access for children with reduced mobility and their carers. This enables them to join in the fun with everyone else. Multiple access points at varying difficulty levels are both inclusive and challenging catering for mainstream and supported learning students. The Floating Steps provide children with an exciting challenge, testing their balance and coordination.
A smaller, wider slide can fit two people alongside each other so children can share the experience with a friend or carer. A bigger slide caters for the more adventurous students. Other play features include various climbing options and interactive play panels, great for stimulating children with sensory disabilities and neurodivergence. The panels can be used as part of the school’s game-based learning.
Most activities are at a low level, making it easy for carers to support the children on their play journey. Different levels of play complexity allow for progress over time, which is especially important for supported learning students.
More play and fun for everyone
The playground also includes other inclusive play equipment:
- Our Inclusive Roundabout J2409 is wheelchair-accessible and provides sensory and motor stimulation while fostering social interaction.
- The Playful Cottage J232 is great for role play and supports numeracy and literacy learning.
- With its inclusive design, the R34-ETP-500 trampoline is accessible to all children, including those in wheelchairs.
- Proludic’s innovative Inclusive Seasaw (J987) enables two wheelchair users to enjoy gentle rocking movements with up to four other students.
- Tightrope Circuit J16 challenges balance and coordination with or without a helping hand.
- Tuboflower Talk Tubes Z10-3417 offer children fun sound activities to share with friends.
- Playing with the Sensory Flowers J3418 helps the development of motor and dexterity skills.
- Percussion Play’s Rainbow Metallophone fosters musical development while also improving hand-eye coordination.
A visual communication board has been custom-designed to improve communication, one of the school’s key learning goals. Using the board, non-speaking students can communicate their choices and ask to join in play.
Deputy Principal Supported Learning Tina Henshaw believes that for some families, the new playground is life changing.
It just has everyone at the same level of participation. It’s not about seeing differences; it’s about celebrating success.
Tina Henshaw, Deputy Principal Supported Learning
The only one of its kind in the area, the new Proludic playground at Port Macquarie Public School is popular with parents, staff, and children of all ages and abilities.
Read Tina’s testimonial.
