Churchill School pupils entertain on the outdoor stage Image: Courtesy Port of Dover
The Port of Dover, along with contractors Jackson Civil Engineering and Sword Contracts, have transformed playtime for pupils at the Churchill Primary School in Hawkinge, and it’s all thanks to the Port’s Employee Volunteering Scheme that the school now boasts a host of exciting new outdoor play areas designed to ignite creativity and adventure.
What was once a simple school yard is now a playground of dreams, featuring a brand-new mud kitchen, a wooden “camper van,” an outdoor stage, and a builders’ yard complete with storage. These incredible additions were ready just in time for the new school year, bringing a huge dose of joy and curiosity to the students.
This project is the culmination of the school’s partnership with OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), which began last year with the goal of completely reimagining break times. With the help of the Port of Dover, that vision has now become a vibrant reality, turning everyday play into a magical experience.
The Mud Kitchen – before the chefs get to work! Image: Courtesy Port of Dover
Sharne Bernardini, OPAL Play Coordinator, from Churchill Primary School commented,
“Before the latest additions, we’d already introduced a dinosaur zone, dressing-up area, LEGO station, and construction zone—each one met with tremendous excitement from the children, with many saying play time is now their favourite part of the school day. The support from the Port of Dover has allowed us to take this even further, building on our mission to make every break time an adventure.”
Jenny Beacon, CSR and Community Executive at the Port of Dover added:
“We are thrilled to see the impact that this work has had on the children, which is what our Employee Volunteering Scheme is all about. Our people have one day per year to go out and help the local community, and with such a wide range of skills and experience across the Port, we are really making a difference to so many projects and causes.”