Kids and families in the Cootamundra electorate will have access to much-needed space and playgrounds these July holidays, with the Share Our Space initiative expanding to 14 schools across the region, says Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke.
Ms Cooke said she hoped families in the Cootamundra electorate would take up this opportunity to use school playgrounds, knowing they are safe, clean and well maintained.
“Many of our schools have beautiful open spaces and well-designed play equipment to suit kids of all ages and abilities,” Ms Cooke said.
“It’s wonderful to be able to share these with the surrounding community – especially where space is limited.
“Our schools across the Cootamundra electorate have such wonderful communities and it will be great fun for kids to play on the equipment and in the open spaces without having to worry about the school bell going off to signal the end of break.”
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the $30 million Share Our Space Program was launched in April last year following a successful pilot trial. The number of participating schools has continued to grow, with nearly 200 schools joining for these holidays alone.
“After our pilot program, we heard feedback that opening up playgrounds for school holidays really did encourage families to play together in the outdoors,” Ms Mitchell added.
“Our vision is for more and more schools to participate in the Share Our Space initiative. We’re also working to ensure we can accommodate this in harmony with other shared use initiatives like out-of-hours care, and local sporting facilities.”
Schools in the Cootamundra electorate which are confirmed as participating are:
Beckom Public School
Binya Public School
Cootamundra Public School
E A Southee Public School
Holman Place School
Jugiong Public School
Maimuru Public School
Marrar Public School
Monteagle Public School
Naradhan Public School
Wallendbeen Public School
Woodstock Public School
Wyalong Public School
Wyangala Dam Public School
For a full list of participating schools, please visit the Share Our Space webpage: https://www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/programs/share-our-space.html
CAPTION: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced 14 schools will be open across the school holidays so that children can use play equipment and open spaces as part of the Share Our Space program. Ms Cooke is pictured with Jaimee Damini, principal of Binya Public School, which is taking part in the program.
