Today we have had one of the most highly anticipated events of the year: the Grand Opening of the Nexus Tree House.

As part of the design stage of this campus, learners were invited to share their ideas for a safe, fun and healthy play space. They even had the opportunity to meet the architectural team and discussed their ideas. We have been able to incorporate many of these features into the play areas we have in school. Across the campus, the highlights include a fantastic bouldering wall, a gymnastic space complete with mirrors, a tunnel climbing net, exciting wallholla structure, three sandpits and of course the impressive treehouse!

The Nexus Treehouse is a wonderful 3-storey play space for our younger learners in Nursery to Year 2, which includes a 'roof-top' open place space, a large shaded reading mezzanine level and slide. It is also available for all our whole community to use. In fact, our Secondary Year 9 learners English lessons engaging with the Shakespeare have recently used the wonderful venue for al fresco drama and, as it is ‘in the round’, naturally evokes Shakespeare’s own Globe theatre. The learners enjoyed working on their set scenes from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

Leading up to the opening, children in Years 1 and 2 have created a wide range of decorations to adorn the treehouse. Decorations include up-cycled wind chimes, light reflectors and dreamcatchers. The children have also added lots of greenery by hanging air plants and using coconut shells and up-cycled plastic bottles as planters. Even the local wildlife hasn't been forgotten. The outer edges of the treehouse include a range of feeders for birds and butterflies. Over time we will add more to this wonderful space. As part of today's activities the children worked with Ms Lauren our fantastic art teacher to paint wooden creatures and log discs that will be added in the near future.

During today's Grand Opening, the children enjoyed a special picnic provided by our caterer Victus, took part in playground games, storytelling, drama activities and even had ice creams as a special snack time treat! To round off the day, we had enjoyed a traditional Lion Dance. The lions made their way through the whole school from Level 12 to Level 1 and met all the learners. The lions ended their auspicious visit by climbing the treehouse! Take a look at the photos of this amazing day on the 'Recent Events' page.

My thanks to the marketing and facilities teams and all the staff and learners in Years 1 and 2 for creating such a wonderful space for our community. Over the next few weeks all our Primary learners will be visiting the space to enjoy the magic!

Wishing all our families a wonderful weekend.

Best regards,

Paul Beach

Head of Primary School