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Playground

Proposal

LAC

Junior

School

2020

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One of our Y7&8 Maths class have been working on planning out an amazing new playground for our LAC Junior School.

The Year 7&8 students at LAC are looking to work with the Board of Trustees to move forward with this project.

Obviously we need help finding sufficient funds for this huge project.

We have put a lot of effort into planning and researching, and we would like to see some support and action from our school leaders.

We have already made some decisions on what playground equipment we would like, and we have contacted some specialists for advice and quotes on playground equipment.

Thank you for your time looking at our proposal.

Dear LAC Board of Trustees,

SNg Year 7&8 Maths Class

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The Pitch

The benefits of having a playground at school are limitless. Physical activity is a very necessary thing for kids to be able to enjoy, and playgrounds are a great way to promote that. Playgrounds are a very social place, and they help develop necessary social skills and friendships. Research suggests that playgrounds are very beneficial for children with learning disabilities, anxiety, and hyperactivity behaviours, which we seem to be seeing more and more of in our classrooms..

Providing the Junior School with a playground has been an issue for discussion for many years now. According to Hammond (2012) students without access to a playground at school tend to ‘create their own playgrounds’ in some unsafe ways. We have noticed that the LAC students climb trees, have water fights, throw each others bags around, among other things. Social skill development does not seem to track with other Year 7&8 schools in our area, according to current RTLB reports, and we believe this could be connected to the lack of access to playground equipment. There are very few break time activities targeted to Year 7&8 students. This has been feedback from our parents for many years. Many students complain of being bored and break times are frequently filled with behavioural troubles.

Though it may cost a lot of money to have a playground and maintain a clean, safe area for the playground, it is extremely beneficial for students. Your decision to help us will affect the future of our students, the sanity of our Junior School teachers, and it will be greatly appreciated by students for many years to come.

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Why We Need A Playground at LAC

  • Playgrounds are more than just areas where kids can be kept busy or "go run around outside" for a while. They are a major part of development, and should be seen as vital to the school community.
  • Studies have demonstrated that physically active students have improved academic performance and easily obtained higher test scores as well as developing a far better outlook toward school.
  • Playgrounds, playtime, recess, and unstructured activities are essential to both physical and mental wellbeing in a child.
  • Playgrounds provide a place for "full body" workouts that include exercises to strengthen the arms, legs, torso, shoulders, and so on. The cardiovascular system, circulatory system, and neurological system of the child are nurtured, too.
  • The "Novelty-Arousal Theory" indicates that people function better when they experience a change of pace. (Ross, 2012) This means that kids with conditions such as ADHD respond better to classroom learning after a change of pace - such as time on a playground.
  • One study demonstrated that, "Children became more on task and less fidgety on days when they had recess," and this held true for kids with attention disorders as well as children without such disorders. (Ross, 2012)
  • The decline of playgrounds has a known link to behavioral problems, ADHD, and to "stunted" cognitive, social, and creative development. (Hammond, 2012)
  • Mastering the different apparatuses on a playground will provide a child with physical challenges, but will also ensure that self-confidence and self-esteem are boosted, too.
  • The unstructured nature of playground time allows children to retain a sense of control that is not available in many other parts of their lives. (Ross, 2012)
  • "Kids bully and misbehave more when they aren't busy with better things" (Bornstein, 2011), and modern playgrounds are becoming locations where children are too stimulated to become bullies.
  • Playgrounds provide a sense of security and yet allow any child complete freedom - of imagination as well as physical freedom.
  • Imaginary play is guaranteed whenever a child is on a playground, and this in turn fosters the growth of individual imagination, problem solving, and personal development.
  • Recess and playgrounds give all children (particularly those with hyperactivity) a chance to "blow off steam" productively and safely.
  • One teacher at a "playground-less school" expressed doubts about the school's decision, and explained that the kids created their own playgrounds in unsafe ways - hanging from the underside of stairs, running around wildly until one or more get hurt, etc. (Hammond, 2012)
  • Kids absorb knowledge through risk taking, exploring, and the consequences of their choices. Playgrounds provide a nearly fail-proof location for this important part of development.

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Research References

  • Playgrounds are more than just areas where kids can be kept busy or "go run around outside" for a while. They are a major part of development, and should be seen as vital to the school community.
  • Studies have demonstrated that physically active students have improved academic performance and easily obtained higher test scores as well as developing a far better outlook toward school.
  • Playgrounds, playtime, recess, and unstructured activities are essential to both physical and mental wellbeing in a child.
  • Playgrounds provide a place for "full body" workouts that include exercises to strengthen the arms, legs, torso, shoulders, and so on. The cardiovascular system, circulatory system, and neurological system of the child are nurtured, too.
  • The "Novelty-Arousal Theory" indicates that people function better when they experience a change of pace. (Ross, 2012) This means that kids with conditions such as ADHD respond better to classroom learning after a change of pace - such as time on a playground.
  • One study demonstrated that, "Children became more on task and less fidgety on days when they had recess," and this held true for kids with attention disorders as well as children without such disorders. (Ross, 2012)
  • The decline of playgrounds has a known link to behavioral problems, ADHD, and to "stunted" cognitive, social, and creative development. (Hammond, 2012)
  • Mastering the different apparatuses on a playground will provide a child with physical challenges, but will also ensure that self-confidence and self-esteem are boosted, too.
  • The unstructured nature of playground time allows children to retain a sense of control that is not available in many other parts of their lives. (Ross, 2012)
  • "Kids bully and misbehave more when they aren't busy with better things" (Bornstein, 2011), and modern playgrounds are becoming locations where children are too stimulated to become bullies.
  • Playgrounds provide a sense of security and yet allow any child complete freedom - of imagination as well as physical freedom.
  • Imaginary play is guaranteed whenever a child is on a playground, and this in turn fosters the growth of individual imagination, problem solving, and personal development.
  • Recess and playgrounds give all children (particularly those with hyperactivity) a chance to "blow off steam" productively and safely.
  • One teacher at a "playground-less school" expressed doubts about the school's decision, and explained that the kids created their own playgrounds in unsafe ways - hanging from the underside of stairs, running around wildly until one or more get hurt, etc. (Hammond, 2012)
  • Kids absorb knowledge through risk taking, exploring, and the consequences of their choices. Playgrounds provide a nearly fail-proof location for this important part of development.

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Works Cited

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Funding The Playground

The estimated amount of money needed is $150,000 and the BOT can not pay for all of that. As well as the actual equipment, we need other things like installation, padding and safety restrictions to make sure that the playground meets the Ministry of Educations’ standards.

We currently have $25,000 set aside for this project from Mr Van and the BOT, and we have had offers of support from Sanitarium and New World Pioneer. Sport Manawatu have also requested a proposal to discuss our needs. That will still not be enough.

Other funding options we would like to explore are;

  • The NNZC
  • ADRA
  • Central Energy Trust
  • PNCC Putea Hapori Community Funding.
  • Explore sponsorship options from Alumni
  • Mr Van is looking into the Covid Relief Fund

Because every little bit counts, we would also like to do some school fundraisers;

  • mufti days
  • lunchtime food sales
  • Nerf war competition
  • bake sale
  • lemonade stand
  • Lego competition

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Funding The Playground

The two contacts below are connections that we could use to help us source the funding required for our playground. This is their speciality.

Yvonne Leitch-Heggie

Gofund Community Funding & Development Services

P O Box 428, Kumeu, Auckland 0881|P: 09 4119369|M: 021425799

E: yvonne@gofund.co.nz|W: www.gofund.co.nz

Helen Whitcombe

Funding Connection

Director

04 237 6161

027 239 6161

www.fundingconnection.co.nz

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Playground Equipment

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The InterChallenge system is not a playground but a Compact Confidence Course which has been designed specifically for children aged 10 – 14+. It is higher, stronger, and more challenging than equipment in the ‘Playground’ classification, as the rules and regulations are different. Each section is 4 metres long and over 2 metres high, fully catering for the height and ability level of our intermediate students. Standard playgrounds have a height restriction of 1.8m meaning many of our students would be able to stand on the ground and reach the ‘monkey bars’.

The InterChallenge has been installed at 30 Colleges, Intermediates and Full Primary Schools around New Zealand. This is a very popular choice for schools as it creates a range of challenging sections for kids to master.

This is our first choice. All students agreed that this would be the most beneficial for our school. We liked the thought of being able to play ‘cheat’ on this (the Gen-Z version of tag), and it looks like real fun. We think it will fit nicely between the cubby house and the concrete pad, removing only a small portion of the existing concrete. This way we can include the ground cover to extend under the existing cubby house to make it safer and clean up this area. This will also allow us to add on to the playground at a later date and put a couple of swings and climbing net beside the HQ building, still in the same area.

The InterChallenge

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Interchallenge

PlatinumPlay Interchallenge IC21 V4 $92,000 + GST

Travel & Accommodation for a 5 day install $10,775 + GST

Underground Service Locator $350 + GST

Delivery of structure via HIAB truck $4,478 + GST

87 m3 Playground Bark delivered & spread $17,908 + GST

72 lineal metres of 300mm timber surrounds $5,180 + GST

TOTAL $130,691 + GST

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Interchallenge

PlatinumPlay Interchallenge IC21 V4 $92,000 + GST

Travel & Accommodation for a 5 day install $10,775 + GST

Underground Service Locator $350 + GST

Delivery of structure via HIAB truck $4,478 + GST

87 m3 Playground Bark delivered & spread $17,908 + GST

72 lineal metres of 300mm timber surrounds $5,180 + GST

TOTAL $130,691 + GST

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Interchallenge

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Interchallenge

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Interchallenge

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Interchallenge

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Interchallenge

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Other equipment that has featured very high on the ‘Wish List’ is;

  • Super high swings
  • Basket swings
  • In-ground trampolines
  • Spinning options

There are numerous of these available, and all at different costs, depending on which provider you use, materials you select, installation costs, etc.

To get a good combination of things, you would easily be looking at $100,000 (including ground cover). So for the initial start-up we figured that the InterChallenge would be more ‘bang for our buck’, as it allows for more challenge, more kids to be using it at once, and we can always add these things at a later date and extend the playground.

We have inserted some pages for you to get an idea of the equipment desired by the Year 7&8 students.

High Swings, Trampoline,

& Spinning Fun

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On the remaining piece of concrete we would like to place some skate ramps for the use of scooters and skateboards.

People have been saying for years that boys need to move. They need to be able to get up and do something else when they feel restless. Evidence suggests that this helps them to be more successful in school. The problem is that we have always looked at ways of modifying the education system for boys without paying due attention to the other places that boys learn and interact with each other. One of those places is commonly, the Skate Park.

At the skate park the older boys move around the younger ones. There are 16-year-olds on bmx bikes sailing around eight-year-olds on scooters but there are very few accidents. The older kids seem to accept responsibility for safety in a manner that would surely surprise their teachers and maybe even their parents. But it is more than just looking out for them. Older boys have taken younger boys aside to teach them tricks and techniques. They include them in discussions and warn them if they are in a dangerous spot. They observe the rules of the place and are usually respectful and polite.

Boys are very focused in the skate park. To watch them practice a small manoeuvre over and over, to watch them work together to fix a bike, to listen to the passionate and informed discussions about their sport is to see another side to these kids. They may not be model students at school. No doubt their reports would use words like distracted, disruptive and disengaged. But that's not what is seen in the skate park.

Whether we care to admit it or not, schools are intensely competitive places. Despite what people often say, it isn't all about competition for boys. It can be about mastery. It can be about specific skills. My sense is that the boys at the skate park are competing mainly with themselves. I have never heard boys talk about competition in relation to their scooters. They instead, talk about being nearly able to do a trick, or having worked out how to do a particular move.

By including skate ramps in our playground we can feed into this positive growth for our boys, particularly our at risk boys. Recently Hamish and Jackson, two of our Year 8 boys, went to PNACS to run scooter workshops for the kids, on the primary school’s quad-ramp, during lunchtimes. We got to see them in their successful zone first hand.

Skate Ramps

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Skate Ramps

The great thing about these skate ramps is that they are movable. We can reposition them anywhere on the concrete pad, or put them back to back creating new fixtures. Purchasing these modular pieces is a very cost effective way of giving them access to equipment that will give them a skatepark feeling. The cost of these 5 modular pieces is $2998 +gst from Playgroundcentre.com

This modular combo includes 1x Fun Box, 2x Flat Wedges and 2x Fly Wedges.

X1 Fun Box

X2 Fly Wedges

X2 Flat Wedges

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Rules to keep us safe on Scooters & Skateboards

  • 3 strikes and you're out for the term
  • No trying to hurt others or yourself
  • Wheels stay on the scooter racks
  • No using other peoples wheels
  • You need a helmet
  • No doing stupid things
  • Only ride if you know how to
  • No bad equipment (broken wheels, plastic scooters jammed bearings)
  • If you need a ledge/rail waxed please see Jackson or Hamish
  • If you get caught waxing for no reason you get a strike

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About Playground People NZ

LAC CONTACT AT PLAYGROUND PEOPLE

We have been in contact with Mark Salmon. He came to visit our Maths class and talk through all the safety requirements and helped us to get started with the proposal. He has been very helpful.

ABOUT PLAYGROUND PEOPLE: THE COMPANY

Playground People Ltd is a family business, who take great pride in being able to have been a big part in the lives of so many New Zealand children. Since they installed their first ever playground at Puni School back in 1996, which is still in the ground today and going strong, they have gone on to become one of New Zealand most knowledgeable and trusted play space providers, having now installed hundreds of playgrounds throughout New Zealand.

Recognised for manufacturing the hardiest playground equipment available, we specifically design our equipment to meet the needs of the children and young people it is created for, along with the environment it will be exposed to.

We believe that a well thought out playground will positively impact both the children who use them and the communities they apart of. Therefore, we design all our playground around the four play elements of play, health, learning and social development, which means children get so much more than a bit of fun.

Some of what you can expect from your Playground People Smarter Play Environment:

• A playground that will stand the test of time and guarantee to match.

• A playground designed to meet the needs of the children it is intended for.

• A playground that “flows” and suits the environment where it will be located.

• Smiles on faces all around! We believe that smarter play environments create more confident and competent children

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The Rules, Regs & Policies

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When planning to build or upgrade a playground, you can choose your playground design and equipment, as long as the:

Playgrounds on school sites

Information about building or upgrading a playground, paying for a new playground, maintaining your playground, insuring your playground.

Ministry of Education Playground Application.

Use this form to apply for consent to a board or third party funded property project.

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Next Steps

  • Approval from the BOT to move forward with the project.
  • Inform and survey all of our Stakeholders:
    • Parents
    • Students
    • Staff
    • BOT
    • Community
  • Begin funding applications on behalf of the school.
  • Feel out our community for willing servants to volunteer services and help.

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Thanks!

BOT for considering our proposal.

SNg Maths Class for all the hard work.

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