Tara Murray
St Albans Primary School pupils’ physical and mental health will benefit from a $30,000 active schools grant.
The school is one of 96 across the state that will receive a grant to encourage kids to become more active.
Principal Joanne Richmond said the timing of the grant couldn’t have been better.
“Obviously during COVID we couldn’t come into school,” she said.
“There was the extended absence and restrictions in place. A lot of the children have forgotten to be active and exercise.
“For a lot of children this is the only place they exercise. We’ve been encouraging them to play and be physically active. They all missed being out in the playground.“
Ms Richmond said the school was considering using the grant to install synthetic turf near its soccer pitch.
“It would be a space that would be interchangeable and inclusive,” she said.
“The synthetic pitch would have different markings and we want it to be interactive and we want to incorporate the nearby sandpit.
St Albans East and Stevensville primary schools, Sunshine College and Lakeview Senior College in Caroline Springs also received grants.
