Students Help Shape the New Junior School 3–6 Playground

Excitement is building in the Junior School as students from Years 2–5 recently joined landscape architect Christian Borchert to explore early plans for the new Years 3–6 playground, set to begin development early next year.

As part of the Physical Education and Sport Precinct works, the playground has been designed with a clear purpose: creating more spaces for students to move, play together, make friends and grow their social confidence.

During the workshop, students viewed concept designs up close and shared their ideas, giving them a real sense of ownership over the space being created for the way they play and connect.

Christian explained how the new playground will offer plenty of room for imagination and adventure, with areas for students to climb, explore, create games and enjoy being outdoors. A small native garden and discovery trail will introduce students to plants that once grew locally, sparking curiosity and a connection to nature. Repurposed timber logs will provide natural climbing and balancing opportunities that combine challenge with fun.

The redesigned space will include:

• A multipurpose grassed area
• A half court for ball sports
• Climbing mounds, slides and monkey bars
• Shaded areas for outdoor classrooms and quiet play
• Opportunities for students to take part in planting once construction is complete

Students enthusiastically contributed creative ideas, including colour-coded log challenges, house-coloured play tunnels, Australian animal designs and a student-painted handprint mural wall on the new multi-sport court. These suggestions will guide the finishing details, ensuring the space feels imaginative, welcoming and distinctly MLC.

This upgrade is more than new equipment—it reflects MLC’s broader Junior School vision to blend play, sustainability and learning in meaningful ways. Involving students in the design process shows them that their ideas genuinely influence their environment. It also encourages an understanding of how caring for Country begins in their own backyard, in the everyday ways they look after shared spaces and notice the environment around them.

When the playground opens next year, it will be far more than a new place to play – it will be a vibrant, student-shaped space that supports learning, wellbeing and the joyful moments of childhood that make school days memorable.