Cinnamon Brown’s first lunch breaks were transformed by Opal Play

As the whistle blows to signal the end of lunch, pupils are now ready to return to class calm, focused and ready to learn thanks to the introduction of Opal Play, says the head of Cinnamon Brow Primary.

Headteacher of six years, Rachel Pimblett, gave us an insight into lunchtime at school and took us around the school to get a feel for how the introduction of this new form of play has really changed the atmosphere on the playground.

Children play in the clay kitchen (Image: NQ) The Opal Play program works with schools to ensure “every child in every school has a great hour of quality play every day.”

Schools like Cinnamon Brow will be assigned an OPAL mentor who will support the setting over an 18-month period, changing both culturally and practically the way the game is resourced, planned and staffed.

Giving more insight into the program, Ms Pimblett said: “Opal will work with you for a total of two to three years to improve your outdoor provision.

“The play program helps to improve children’s self-esteem, confidence and overall behavior.”

Children also play in the sandpit and in the adjacent forest area while climbing trees (Image: NQ) The manager described that staff in particular had seen a significant improvement in behavior on the playground since the introduction of Opal, as children put their energy into hands-on play that they enjoyed.

To get an idea of ​​how the playground is set up, it is almost divided into sections, with tons of different equipment and activities for students to explore during their lunch break.

“There is a quiet area, an area for repairing things like taking circuit boards apart and putting them back together,” Ms. Pimblett said. “There is also a disco area with music playing throughout lunchtime and a place where children can dress up.

“Children build dens, climb up and explore.”

Children also play with recycled items, including plastic tubes (Image: NQ)

While the cheerful music from the loudspeakers already creates a positive atmosphere on the school grounds, the vision of children carefree playing with objects such as recycled car tires, kitchens, plastic boxes and other raw materials is an impressive sight.

The leader wanders the playground alongside Opal’s two main coordinators, Georgia Ozanna and Cathy Wareing, overseeing playtime – something they enjoy and look forward to every day.

Here these students play with recycled car tires and boxes (Image: NQ) “Before Opal, we had 90 kids on this playground and they didn’t know what to do or how to play. Now they make their own piece. “This is my favorite part of the day, it’s nice to see kids being kids and having fun,” she added.

Additionally, the new play on the large school grounds includes fun in the school’s new sandbox, a stage with a microphone and speakers so children can have fun performing in front of their peers, a mud kitchen for those who like to get dirty, and an area for Tree climbing and rope swings.

And for those interested in sports, the school also provides a sports trainer who coordinates various sports sessions during the lunch break.

Some roll each other downhill while others perform for each other on stage (Image: NQ) Cathy, the play’s lead actress, spoke about what she loves most about Opal Play. She said: “I love seeing the mixed age groups playing so well together and having fun playing.

“The older kids seem to take the younger ones under their wing, and we come here come rain or shine.”

Opal will provide each school that pays or sponsors the program with an Opal rating and award at the end of the 18-month period to evaluate how well the play program is being promoted.

Awards presented include silver, gold and platinum.

The main actors are Georgia Ozanna and Cathy Wareing, who proudly hold the Opal certificate in their hands (Image: NQ) Cinnamon Brow achieved a significantly high score of 96 percent and was certified platinum.

Theater director Georgia also said about how the program has changed lunch times at school: “I started here in Covid when there was one hour per class at lunchtime.

“Now we have a mix of different classes and I think it’s a very magical atmosphere.

“The children know the process and know what is in which area. And our reception playground has a similar version of this but on a smaller scale so that by the time they move on to first year they are ready to enjoy it to the fullest.

“You can really see that some of the kids are smiling.”

Tree climbers play in the wooded area of ​​the playground (Image: NQ)