A new nautical themed play area has been unveiled at Shalfleet Primary School.
The area was officially opened with a special ceremony during which thanks were also given to those involved in the fundraising to purchase and install the equipment.
A previous wooden boat structure had been used by children at the school for over 22 years, but years of refurbishment had left the structure in a state of disrepair. With many of the local, serving RNLI lifeboat crew’s children being taught at the school, teachers and parents were keen to maintain its nautical links and replace it with a similar structure.
The school’s PTA and the local community; individuals, businesses, Yarmouth Harbour Commission and Shalfleet parish council, subsequently came together to help meet the project costs through donations, in-kind support or other events and fundraising initiatives.
The 10m x 7m structure, which was produced by a specialist company on the mainland, was then transported free of charge to the Island courtesy of Wightlink and constructed on site during the Easter school holiday.
A special ceremony led by Headteacher Mrs Grainger and Deputy Headteacher Mrs Shynn and all the children, including a prayer, songs and a nautical-themed dance, marked the official opening of the new playground and was then followed by a ‘Tea of thanks’ for all involved.
Headteacher Elizabeth Grainger said:
“We’re delighted to be able to formally unveil our new playground and to show our gratitude for the hard work of our PTA and the generous support from our local community.
Article continues below this advertisement “So many people and organisations have rallied round the project. It has been a fantastic effort which will bring a great deal of enjoyment to our pupils for many years to come.”
Daryl Palmer Operations Director at Wightlink said:
“As the operator of the nearby Yarmouth to Lymington route we were delighted to come on board to help the school to transport the equipment over, lending our help to what has already been a fantastic fundraising effort. It is particularly appropriate that the equipment has a nautical theme and we are sure pupils will have great fun playing on it.”
