Playground vision

Play is a rich dimension of being human, human development and learning. Children and young people worldwide love to play and it is essential to their growth as positive, cooperative and collaborative people. Being with friends is often quoted by students as the thing they most enjoy in their lives.

In the Salesian tradition, the school playground is the most central invitational space for making friends and is considered to be just as important as the classroom. It was the common ground for our founder Don Bosco in developing his relationship with the boys with whom he worked in nineteenth-century Turin.

Charter for Salesian Schools - the playground

According to our Charter for Salesian Schools, the playground is the place where “friends meet each other and enjoy themselves” in the context of community.

The Charter for Salesian Schools affirms that the playground is a place where students and staff can be present to each other in an “active, engaging and constructive manner, in fidelity to the Salesian Preventive System.”

We believe that when students have fun and play together, they build positive and inclusive relationships and can have rich experiences of interaction and sharing, not only between themselves but also with staff. It is often in this context, where they come to experience and know God’s endearing love and happiness.

Parents & Friends lead playground development

Our Parents & Friends at Dominic support this ethos and have committed to raise funds for richer play environments on the oval. They have been exploring how to best work with the College to provide greater opportunities for students to be involved in play activity during recess and lunch.

The P&F recognise that students can be nurtured in the benefits of the playground when they are involved in structured play. To give students who aren’t involved in lunchtime sports the opportunity to ‘play’ in defined ways and through the use of a deliberately shaped environment has huge benefits.

The P&F began this process in 2013 with the purchase and installation of a wonderful contemporary Prep - Year 6 play area located near the Magone Centre and Year 5/6 block. This has been greatly appreciated by our students.

Playground ‘Initial Concept Map’

The College, together with the P&F have been considering a staged development of a play area around the large tree stump. A playground specialist has been consulted and an initial concept map has been produced which utilises both the tree stump and the large mounds, and includes swings, slides and a climbing net. You can view the draft diagram here: Playground.

In preparation for this staged development a section of the road has had protective fencing installed. I am grateful to the P&F for their huge commitment to this project and decision to dedicate hard-earned funds to this exciting new play space.

Ms Beth Gilligan - Dominic College Principal