Bethlehem College Primary School students are waiting in eager anticipation for the opening of their new playground. They have had to make do with a small sandpit with times rostered on for using it.

'We have 486 Year 1 to 6 students and now they will have three big sandpits with boulders, a big tree with a tree hut, a slide and shrubs; which will involve the children in creative and imaginative play,” says Maureen Giles, Head of the Primary School.

Harrison Burns, 8, Sam Gregory, 5, Emma Gregory, 8 and Sarah Knowles, 8, in the new tree house. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

The playground has been designed by local architect company Insight Architecture, who are more used to designing houses and buildings.

This is the first stage of a much bigger playground.

The cost of the playground was met by the school PTA who have numerous fund raising events throughout the year.

'I cannot speak highly enough of our PTA, they work really hard organising gala days etcetera and we now have a beautiful new playground for the children,” says Maureen.

The students do not have much longer to wait to try it out as it is being opened by Bethlehem College Principal Eion Crosbie on Wednesday, May 11 at 2pm.