Garden aids students’ development

Early learning students from a Dampier Peninsula community, north of Broome, are using a newly created garden to grow and reflect.

Children from Beagle Bay Sacred Heart School now have a peaceful space to focus on mindfulness through funds provided by Water Corporation through its West Kimberley Community Grants Scheme.

The garden is designed for sensory play and to provide students with a quiet place to experience good feelings, or liyan, in the local Nyul Nyul language.

Water Corporation North West regional manager Rino Trolio said the garden was beneficial for the students’ mental health and encouraged waterwise values.

“It is important for the next generation to develop an appreciation of nature and the importance of water at a young age,” Mr Trolio said.

Beagle Bay Sacred Heart School Teacher, Nancye Spiteri, said the garden formed part of the school’s wellbeing curriculum.

“Nature-play significantly improves all aspects of child development,” Ms Spiteri said.

“The new garden has provided our students with a designated quiet space where they can play, or just sit peacefully and enjoy their surroundings.

“We thank Water Corporation and the Lions Club Broome for helping to make this project possible.”

The next round of funding for the grants scheme will open in March 2019. For more information visit watercorporation.com.au/wkcgrants.