Students at four Coffs Coast schools are having more fun with improved playgrounds, better musical instruments and a wellbeing hub.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan visited Mary Help of Christians Primary School at Sawtell today to see the school’s new playground shade sails part-funded by the Australian Government’s Local Schools Community Fund.

“It was great to see students playing with a better level of sun protection today due to the two large shade sails being constructed,” he said.

“Four great projects are being delivered at schools near Coffs Harbour with assistance from the $30.2 million Local Schools Community Fund, including a Wellbeing Hub at Bishop Druitt College, a playground climbing wall at St Augustine’s Primary School and a portable digital piano at Raleigh Public School.

“This $27,770 investment is on top of the Coalition Government’s record funding of $314 billion for schools nationally because we want to see students receive quality education and the best possible start in life.”

Mary Help of Christians Primary School Principal Liz Watts said the shade sails had been a project she had desired to implement at her school for a number of years.

“This beautiful shaded area is used by our children at play time and by our parent community for assemblies and other community events,” she said.

“We’re very grateful for this grant from the Local Schools Community Fund.”

The Local Schools Community Fund grant allocations were: St Augustine’s Primary School – $4,600 for its playground climbing wall; Mary Help of Christians Primary School at Sawtell – $11,218 for shade sails; Bishop Druitt College – $10,000 toward its Wellbeing Centre; and Raleigh Public School – $1,952 for a portable digital piano.