All aboard! Youngsters at a Sutton Coldfield school can set sail for fun at playtimes on a new ship-shaped play centre – thanks to a grant from Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust (SCCT) and fundraising parents.
The Deanery CofE Primary School playship is officially launched by Sutton Coldfield Mayor Tony Briggs, Tina Swani, of SCCT, Adama Suter of the school's PTFA and headteacher Jayne Luckett.
The new play centre, which is shaped like a galleon, was officially unveiled in the playground of the Deanery C of E Primary School, in Walmley, on Wednesday 15th of November.
The Mayor of Royal Sutton Coldfield, Councillor Tony Briggs, cut the ribbon to ‘launch’ the play equipment, watched by SCCT’s CEO Tina Swani, Deanery headteacher Jayne Luckett, the Trust’s Grants Manager Clare Haines and Adam Suter, chairman of the school’s PTFA.
The colourful equipment, which features slides, ladders, steps and portholes, was built by Sutton Coldfield-based contractor Ten Group and was inspired by ideas provided by Deanery pupils.
And as soon as the Mayor had cut the ribbon, children from the school council team rushed to enjoy their first adventure on the new play equipment.
Mayor Tony Briggs with headteacher Jayne Luckett and members of the School Council of the Deanery CofE Primary School council, who helped design the playship.
Mayor Tony Briggs raises a bottle of bubbly to launch the playship.
Headteacher Jayne Luckett said the children had played an important role in steering the project.
She said: “We had an outside play area here at the Deanery that was made of wood and was perhaps 20 years old, so we decided that we needed something different.
“The school council took part in the whole design process, right from the start. It was their idea that they wanted a ship, and as pupils’ voice is an important part of life at the Deanery, we listened to what they wanted.
“We are so grateful to Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and our wonderful PTFA for providing the funds to make their ideas become reality.
“Now, the next step is for the children to come up with for a name for their ship – so the school council will go back to their classrooms and discuss what name we are going to have.
“And then we’ll have another ceremony, to name the ship!”
The Mayor with SCCT’s Grants Manager Clare Haines and CEO Tina Swani.
Tina Swani, of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, said: “I think it’s fantastic, and clearly something that the children are going to get so much enjoyment out of.
“Outdoor play is so important and it’s a privilege to see these children having fun on this outdoor activity centre.
“One of the key things that the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust does is support education, and play is one of the most important parts of education, so we were delighted to provide a grant for this project.”
Cllr Briggs said: “I think it’s absolutely wonderful, and I was delighted to be asked to come along to officially launch the new play equipment at the Deanery.
“I don’t know how they came up with the idea but I’ll be coming back for the naming ceremony!”
Representatives from Ten Group, who built the playship, joined the Mayor, headteacher, SCCT staff and members of the school community for the official launch.
