Local schools leave competition in the shade thanks to the Ellendale Community Grants!

We’re thrilled to announce local children from Patricks Road State School and St Andrew’s Catholic School can now enjoy sun-safe sports and playtime thanks to their share of our latest Community Grants program.

Patricks Road State School

For Patricks Road State School, located in Ferny Hills, an old marquee didn’t cut it when it came time to participate in school and inter-school sports programs.

“Our previous marquee structure was purchased more than 15 years ago, which meant it was in pretty poor condition,” says Patricks Road State School’s health and physical education teacher David Rogers.

“It was hard for our students to take pride in themselves and the school when using old equipment at our sports carnivals, or when they competed against other schools at state championships.”

Mr Rogers says as a state school it was difficult for his department to find the funding for the new resource.

“When I discovered the Ellendale Community Grants, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity we needed to buy a brand-new marquee.

“Having the new marquee has already boosted the spirits of our students and made them feel even more proud to be representing our school at inter-school competitions.

“You can see it in their performance and when they are supporting their friends from the sidelines in a more sun-safe environment.”

St Andrew’s School Community Association

It came to the attention of St Andrew’s Catholic School's principal Tim Stinson and the school’s Community Association this year that their early years' play area wasn’t protecting kids from the sun.

“We have a play area within our larger playground that is designated for our young Prep and Year One students, so they have ownership of their own space and don’t feel overrun by older students," says Community Association executive and parent Kate Zanre.

“While we have some trees offering shade within the zone, we noticed last summer the space didn’t have enough shaded cover, which meant children were overheating and unable to make proper use of the area on warmer days, which is often the case in Queensland.

“It also meant some of the outdoor toys we had purchased for the children, such as metal musical instruments, were too hot for the children to play with at lunch.”

Mrs Zanre says since having the new shade structure installed in September, the early years students have been able to enjoy their play area every day.

“Thanks to the Community Grant helping us to buy the new shading structure, our little ones can now make full use of the space and use all of the toys on warm days."

The Community Grants program has run for more than ten years across Australia, helping to give back to communities where Ellendale’s developer Cedar Woods operates, by investing and supporting local not-for-profit organisations.

Learn more about our Community Grants program and this year’s recipients here: https://blog.cedarwoods.com.au/ellendale/2022-communtiy-grant-recipients-announced