MORE shade in school playgrounds and outdoor areas is on its way to protect more students across Northern Victoria from the sun’s damaging rays.
Congupna Primary School will receive $22,255 towards the replacement of existing permanent shade sails between the junior classrooms, over the sandpit, over the picnic tables, above the oval drinker and alongside the main administration building.
Toolamba Primary School is to receive $8,181 for the replacement of existing permanent shade sails – which was damaged by embers after the school was destroyed by fire in 2010.
The funds come from a share of over $1.3M from the latest round of the School Shade Grants program and have been announced by Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes MP.
Through this initiative, the Victorian Government is helping children to be sun smart and prevent skin cancer, while still embracing the outdoors and keeping fit, active and healthy.
The program provides grants to build new shade structures, repair existing structures, or create natural shade by planting trees. Funding is also provided to purchase sun protective items including hats and sunscreen.
“Congupna P.S is very excited to receive this fantastic Shade Sail grant which will provide multiple benefits to our school. It will allow us to replace our aging shade sails and will give the school a wonderful visual full of colour,” said Congupna Primary School’s Wendy Sidebottom.
“It will provide the necessary shade for our students during outdoor times and it will allow our grades to be able to utilise these areas as outdoor learning spaces. The grant money has enabled us to provide a wonderful resource to our students and our school.”
