<< Peninsula New 12 December 2005 - Shade area needs repair >>

Shade area needs repair

It is with concern I write over what seems to be a "pass the buck" issue and an ongoing situation that is occurring at Woy Woy Public School.

In January this year, a large tree fell in the school yard causing extensive damage to the shade area in which students eat their lunch.

As a result the shade material was removed from the structure and the frame remains still in place.

The remaining structure is, of course, no use without its shaded covering and the framework has been damaged, this appears due to the damage to be potentially unstable.

Does the stability of this structure pose a risk to students?

Now we are approaching the warmest time of the year, where do students eat their lunch away from the midday sun?

As this shade was placed over seats where children ate their lunch prior to playing in the yard.

My child has sat on the seats eating his lunch amongst bird faeces.

I have noticed on the Department of Education web page several statements that do not apply in this case:

"Significant funding commitments for Government schools

• Over $184 million provided for maintaining Government school buildings and facilities

• $364 million provided for capital works in Government schools

And Public schools promote the healthy development of students through:

School programs and practices that protect and promote health and safety

Whilst these statements on web sites are all warm and fuzzy I feel there are numerous safety issues some of which are but not limited to: remaining structure stability-integrity, shade or sunburn protection for students and enabling students a shaded bird excrement free environment in which to eat their lunch.

They may be also future concerns if the avian influenza (H5N1) enters Australia which can be transmitted by bird droppings.

I feel that the school has had more than adequate time to address this issue after numerous complaints from many parents and it would appear that the Education Department would have more than adequate funding available in the form of capital works and or maintenance funds in its budget to address what most parents feel to be one of an urgent nature.

Kerrie Stirling, Umina