Getting really dirty is all part of learning for Beach Haven Primary pupils who are turning unused land into something special. Debrin Foxcroft reports.
When you are a kid, few things feel as good as the sensation you get when pushing your feet into the mud, feeling it ooze between your toes. That's the
feeling senior students at Beach Haven Primary School experience whenever they are learning in the mud.
Chantelle Melville is 10. Her class, Room 4, is rebuilding the school's gully. It's an opportunity for the students to do something that will last long after they have left the school.
"I love climbing up and down the gully and I like looking at how we can improve the situation,'' says Chantelle.
Jaxon Paulo, 9, also likes to get his feet and hands dirty.
"Sometimes, when you come down here to the gully, it's really muddy. It's hard to get a grip on the earth, but it's good. It's a lot of fun.''
Chad Kameta, 9, is itching to see the results of all the hard work. "I am looking forward to playing on the fitness trail, playing on the equipment.''
With their classmates the three are working out how they can best use the land at the back of the school property. Plans have been made, models built and equipment priced.
Room 4 teacher Sue Bellehewe describes the first step as "immersion''. Everything, including classroom decorations, has a gully theme.
"When we first went down and looked at the area it seemed overwhelming - it was a really good idea but so big,'' Ms Bellehewe says. "But we are now looking at it as a five-year project. We are trying to develop an area that people can use.''
The students have learned about plants, ecosystems, soil, fitness trails and planning projects.
They are applying everything that happens in the classroom to the outdoors. The result will be a space that has a trail with exercise equipment, plants, a bridge and a sustainable area for the school to use.
Ms Bellehewe says the whole project is more than one classroom can achieve. "We will be giving a presentation to the North Shore City Council, to the board of trustees and then to the community to ask for help,'' she says. "This area is not just for the school, it's for the whole community.''
Principal Kyle Brewerton says the land is now dead space. "There are a million reasons for this project,'' he says. "But the two primary ones are that the students will be able to use the land and they are being involved in the development of something tangible.
It's a huge learning process. Working with the council is as real as it gets for these kids.''
The gully is one of several school projects.
Teacher Jan Neill led the application for the Healthy Eating Healthy Activity grant, which is helping pay for them.
Junior pupils are pricing and building school gardens. Their class is focusing on what would happen if shops closed. Everything is geared for the long term.
"The gardens and the gully are great because students will be able to look after them as they go through the school,'' says Ms Neill.