Rarely does a school witness the unveiling of a brand-new playground, and it felt almost serendipitous that the Guruwara Hillingdon Playground opened for play on the very same day as the super blue moon illuminated the night sky. Much like this celestial spectacle, the playground lived up to both staff and students’ high expectations.

Our new playground is named Guruwara, the Dharawal word for brushtail possum. This name honours the local First Nations language and the Gadigal Land on which our School stands, and is also a tribute to our resident possum.

Saturday 9 September was a beautiful sunny day for the official opening of the playground, to which all Hillingdon families (Prep to Year 2) were invited. Our girls had demonstrated remarkable patience and awe as they watched the playground gradually take shape during its construction over the past few months. It was therefore such a joy to observe their boundless excitement as they slid, spun, jumped, climbed and played on the slide, rock climbing wall, monkey bars and in the sandpit and cubby houses. Over the afternoon, everyone was treated to a sausage sizzle, popcorn and ice-cream, while many students had their faces painted too.

To mark this special, Hillingdon students had prepared a song, The Children Are Coming to Play, which was composed by music teacher Mr Madsen along with the Year 2 students. The girls not only sang this from the heart but played their violins, cellos and recorders gracefully.

Guruwara Hillingdon Playground, complete with outdoor learning spaces, native gardens and inspiration at every corner, will be well used and loved for years to come.