New way to play at Amaroo

AMAROO Primary School students in years one to six have mixed up their lunchtime activities this year.

Typically the students receive 40 minutes for their lunch break but, in the interest of increasing concentration in the classroom, students are participating in “structured play”.

Principal Ben Ratz said the students can choose from 15 different activities for the first 20 minutes of their break. They then have lunch, before returning to the classroom.

The structured play activities include skipping, gardening, continuous cricket, basketball games, ukulele, board games and a number of free play areas.

Once they have made their selection, students are committed to the 20-minute activity, however they can pick a different one each day.

Mr Ratz said the program has been successful.

“We have found that the program has broadened students' relationships with others that share similar interests and reduced undesirable behaviours at lunch time,” he said.

“Students and staff are having a lot of fun together.

“Students have plenty of time to calm down and cool off after all the fun, and we are finding they are entering class after lunch ready to learn,” he said.