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Date: July 2024
Helping Hand: Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough
Project: Build a new neurodiverse playground for Blenheim School
Blenheim School is the oldest in Marlborough, a place of learning for generations of tamariki going all the way back to 1859. Over the last five years, the roll size has doubled from 80 to 160. With this rapid growth, and a large number of neurodiverse students and kids with additional needs, their old playground is simply not up to task.
When the school first reached out to Mitre 10 Helping Hands, a rebuild of the existing rundown playground was discussed, but posed significant challenges. Built among heritage trees, the consent process would be lengthy and complex, and the subsequent rebuild considerably more expensive. Importantly, the school were in need of a play space that was inclusive and accessible to all and met the sensory needs of the children. Plus, the sandpit – a popular spot for many, was way too small and unusable in adverse weather conditions.
Designed by our own Stan Scott, the new play area has a much larger sandpit featuring a roof to keep it dry year-round, walls one side to block chilly winds, seating, storage for toys and a mud kitchen on the exterior. In addition, two basket swings were added, three large pieces of outdoor sensory musical equipment and some free play elements like log steppers, balance beams, and nooks with buddy benches for socialising or quiet time.
“This playground will give a lot of independence to those children who would usually require assistance to play with their friends,” Blenheim School’s Executive Assistant Angie Holdaway told Stuff. “It’s also given our school a whole new learning environment for many years to come.”
The build happened over Matariki, and the school got their close-knit community involved with parents, aunties & uncles, grandparents, teachers and partners all getting stuck in. The support was so massive that the project was finished ahead of schedule. Mitre 10 MEGA Marlborough did a fantastic job sorting materials, rallying suppliers, helping with site pre-prep, providing volunteers and putting on kai for the kids on opening day, with Store Owner David Hawtin’s son Flynn and daughter Lettie and her partner Conner working the BBQ.
“We were delighted to play a part in bringing this space to life. The school is a deserving recipient and its community has a caring heart. It’s great to give back and build a space that’ll provide creative play and joy to many kids for years to come.” said David Hawtin.
School Principal, Kellyann Thorstensen, commented “It’s been huge and just what we really needed, and came at the right time. This will be like Christmas for the kids.”
Special thanks to Fentec for donating the sandpit fencing, Simcox Construction and Rob Lyons Builders for their generous build assistance, ANZCO Foods Marlborough for keeping the volunteers fed and the Blenheim School community who turned up to help Stan & the Mitre 10 team get the job done.