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Students dive in for nature play

Tari JeffersManjimup-Bridgetown Times
East Manjimup Primary School Year 2 Lawson Ward and Year 1 Tayte Oliver brave the cold water for a dip in the creek at the back of the school.
Camera IconEast Manjimup Primary School Year 2 Lawson Ward and Year 1 Tayte Oliver brave the cold water for a dip in the creek at the back of the school. Credit: Tari Jeffers

East Manjimup Primary School students have been getting back to nature with dedicated time to play in a creek on the school’s property.

The recent rainy weather has raised the creek’s water levels and principal Michael Smith decided to provide students with the opportunity for some nature play.

“Every teacher I asked was all for it and parents were for it too,” he said.

“I personally love the outdoors and it’s such a magnificent area and as we have our own creek, why not use it?”

East Manjimup Primary School Year 2 students Alexis Green, Madison Horlock and Lilly Podziuka have a splash in the puddles before they head to the shcool's creek.
Camera IconEast Manjimup Primary School Year 2 students Alexis Green, Madison Horlock and Lilly Podziuka have a splash in the puddles before they head to the shcool's creek. Credit: Tari Jeffers

Mr Smith has been supervising trips down to the creek with a different class each day since July 27. Student activities include wading through the running water, catching little fish, building dams and bridges, splashing in puddles and investigating the natural surroundings.

“We’re giving kids a little more freedom to play, school is quite structured,” Mr Smith said.

“There are very few rules down at the creek, I want the kids to know that we adults trust them.”

East Manjimup Primary School Year 2 students Jake Hall, back, Brodie Rayson and Lawson Reed get stuck into playing at the school's creek.
Camera IconEast Manjimup Primary School Year 2 students Jake Hall, back, Brodie Rayson and Lawson Reed get stuck into playing at the school's creek. Credit: Tari Jeffers

Mr Smith said they would continue doing the trips down to the creek until the weather changed.

“Until then, unless there’s lighting, hail or a gale, we’re going to the creek,” he said.

East Manjimup Primary School Year 1 student Teale Cutts splashes about in some puddles while his classmates play in the creek nearby.
Camera IconEast Manjimup Primary School Year 1 student Teale Cutts splashes about in some puddles while his classmates play in the creek nearby. Credit: Tari Jeffers

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