Dee Why Public School P&C is desperately trying to raise funds to create a much needed green play space for children in the overcrowded school.
They are currently running a raffle with more than 50 amazing prizes valued at $15k on offer.
Since 2014, the school has seen a 173% increase in enrolments, meaning its last remaining grassed area had to be taken over by demountable classrooms.
Since 2014, the school has seen a 173% increase in enrolments, meaning its last remaining grassed area had to be taken over by demountable classrooms.
Students now have no fixed play equipment and just 7.7sqm of play area per student, under the Department of Education’s recommended 10sqm and well below the 25sqm cited by experts.
“There’s really no space for them,” said Heather Cervantes, the Vice President of Dee Why P&C and mother of two students. “Many younger kids, including one of mine, don’t feel like they can safely run around and play.”
“It’s been quite a process, but right now we have an amazing opportunity for the kids.”
This opportunity lies in the grassy block of land owned by the Education Department located on Fisher Road, just across from the existing school grounds.
The Department of Education has installed portable toilets and committed to repairs including sinkholes and fencing, however, P&C parent volunteers are now trying raise around $50k of the $190k total needed to make it easier to qualify for grants from other sources.
“It’s all very practical and usable,” said Ms Cervantes. “The plan makes use of the space, with each part of the proposal serving a purpose and contributing to the kids’ development. It’s a really impressive plan that doesn’t come with a heavy price tag.”
The development would see the space transformed to include modern play equipment, a new turf sports field, as well as fixtures that make use of the natural landscape.
Manly Observer has sent a number of queries to the office of Brad Hazzard, the member for Wakehurst, asking whether he had made representations to fix the school’s limited play space but have as yet received no formal response. We will update this article should we receive the reply.
The raffle will be drawn on 3 November, with ticket holders having the chance to win a night away for wine lovers in the Hunter Valley, scuba diving lessons at Manly beach, a day of golf at Cromer golf course, as well as plenty of other prizes supplied by over 60 local businesses.
To support the cause and buy tickets for the raffle, go to: https://www.rafflelink.com.au/deewhymega2022?fbclid=IwAR17b_IkhiJ1A33041fussUpXdv4oFNJIFyaSQyhchBOQBc39gUsPgfab4w
