It was with great pleasure and excitement that I joined the school as a staff member at the beginning of 2017. For two years my role was as the Specialist Art teacher and in 2020 I moved into an Education Assistant role. My experience at Spirit of Play began when my daughter attended kindergarten twelve years ago. My son has also been at the school since kindy and he is now in year four. Over that time I have watched the school evolve from a small early childhood school into what it is now… an amazing and vibrant school with classes up to Year Six. As it’s grown, the school has retained and refined the things that make it special. Things like the emphasis on learning through nature, play and creativity, a vibrant music program and learning about Noongar culture.

I really enjoy the wonder and excitement of the children as they learn about the natural world through the walkabout program and other nature based activities at Spirit Of Play. Living in the abundant and beautiful environment that we do here in Denmark it is wonderful to see it being utilised as not just a playground but as a stimulating learning environment.

One of the highlights of working at Spirit of Play is the wealth of knowledge and experience of the staff. Everyone has so much knowledge in their area of expertise from music through to science, permaculture and botany. It is wonderful to work in a supportive environment where everyone is on the same page.

I hope that the education offered by Spirit Of Play will ensure a generation of unique and socially responsible individuals who care for each other and their environment. I think the impact of this kind of learning can already be seen in the interests and knowledge of the older students at the school. I envisage that such empathy and wisdom will feed into the community of Denmark ensuring the emphasis on the environment, the arts and social well-being as the town grows.

I’d like to imagine that Spirit of Play will one day extend to the high school years so that students can attend for their entire schooling. I imagine a bustling and creative place where all ages intermingle, a school that is embedded in its environment and it’s community, a relationship of reciprocity – both receiving and sharing creativity and knowledge.