The inner courtyard at Doncaster has always been a favourite feature of the school, and a treasured spot for staff and students. Many classes use the courtyard for a range of activities, including reading, presentations, drumming and science lessons.

For the past several years, the Kindergarten teachers have made use of the outdoor space in the courtyard to set up “messy play” opportunities for students in the early years. These activities give students the chance to work with sand, water, and other objects that are not always easy to incorporate into a classroom setting.

Since many of the toys and objects in the courtyard were donated or sourced from the community, they have not always been as durable as they need to be in order to withstand the elements of being outdoors year-round. Some of the Doncaster teachers recently approached the PAC for help in supporting the purchase of new materials to help make the courtyard more accessible to a variety of classes.

Through donations from the Doncaster PAC, two picnic tables were purchased, as well as an outdoor shed where materials can be stored. The “Courtyard Committee” also has plans to purchase more outdoor play materials, such as large wooden blocks and a “mud” kitchen, as well as lattice fencing that can help keep materials from being knocked over during the windy season.

The vision for the courtyard is to continue to add quality materials that can be used by a variety of classes and to add more “outdoor classroom” materials, such as tables and outdoor chalkboards. The Doncaster staff are extremely grateful to the DPAC for all their support!