Noble Park Primary School principal David Rothstadt talks to a group of excited students wanting to play with the ‘pod’.
By Nicole Williams
NOBLE Park Primary School is one of only four schools in Australia to crack open a ‘pod’.
The play pod was officially opened at the school on Tuesday before a crowd of excited students.
Play for Life CEO Marylou Verberne said the rain didn’t dampen the kids enthusiasm and it was most rousing reception at an Australian school yet.
“The pod launched at Noble Park Primary before a crowd of very excited little people,” she said.
“But unfortunately the rain meant they weren’t able to take stuff out of the pod to play with it.”
Principal David Rothstadt said staff were very excited about the pod coming to the school as part of a 12-month trial by Play for Life.
“Having seen the Pod in action and the children mixing in with the range of materials, I have no doubt that there will be authentic learning, as the children go about their explorations and that there will be a great deal of fun along the way,” he said.
The pod, based on successful international projects, is a modified shipping container filled with ‘loose-parts’ material for children to play with during recess.
The materials include old car tyres, steering wheels, fabric and old telephones and other everyday items taken into the playground to encourage imagination and reduce anti-social behaviour.
Ms Verberne said the pod would encourage children to interact with their peers in an open, outdoor environment.
“The pod has benefits for all children, but results are particularly encouraging among inactive kids,” Ms Verberne said.
“The intention is to provide safe and suitable materials, housed in a practical mode, and support by appropriate teacher, staff and parent training, to inspire children to play actively and naturally.”
Mr Rothstadt said he was interested to see the results of the trial.
“Having seen the research, I am looking forward to seeing the positive outcomes for children’s relationships in the yard, their discovert of hidden talents and how they bring these new skills to other aspects of their learning,” Mr Rothstadt said.
Ten more schools are scheduled to receive pods before the end of this year.
