By Candice Boyle
A NEW development at West Footscray Primary School is helping students kick fitness goals.
Western Bulldogs Football Club players were on hand to help students test out the school’s new gym last week.
The recently erected gym and facilities had already been opened officially, but the visit from the senior footballers ensured the facilities were up to fostering the talents of potential young sporting stars.
Junior and senior football fans were given tips during skills drills with Jason Akermanis and Matthew Boyd.
School principal Jeannette Fielding said the afternoon was a big hit with the children.
“The players were absolutely fantastic with the students,” she said.
“Our committee of parents thought it would be great to get some players along to run some programs in the new gym.”
The improvements are part of a reinvigoration process that has already seen some changes carried out at the school to classrooms and facilities.
Ms Fielding said the new gym had made a positive change to the opportunities for students.
“The facilities have made a very big difference to the style of learning.
“With such an emphasis on fitness and health, the new gym provides us with a great base,” she said.
Before the hall was completed many of the physical education class were conducted outside. Now teachers now have the option of using the gym facilities for classes.
Outside of school hours the gym is also used for activities for primary school-aged children.
“There is a strong community spirit at the school and I think the community deserves this,” Ms Fielding said.
The construction of the new development began in January, and while the new gym has been well received by the community, progress and improvements did come at a cost.
Ms Fielding said the school’s old “marbles” tree had to be removed to make room for the new building.
“The students were upset to see the tree they used to play marbles under go,” she said.
However, to ensure the historic tree still had a place in the playground, Ms Fielding said the timber from the tree and a number of other trees would remain at the school.
They would be recycled into picnic tables for the playground.
Ms Fielding said students had been involved in planting fruit trees to replace the trees that were removed for the building project.
This was in line with the school’s commitment to sustainability.
