Weston School pupils are on new turf, literally.

The school recently had some sand-based artificial turf installed between its junior and senior playgrounds, using funding from the Education Ministry, principal Deidre Senior said.

The money was part of the School Investments Package (SIPS), which was introduced as an opportunity for schools to bring forward their discretionary projects and enhance their facilities for students now.

“So pre-Covid, the ministry gave every school so much funding to do something that you normally wouldn’t be able to afford to do.”

Installation of the turf was delayed while three new classrooms were installed on the former concrete court area, and then a new hard court was laid, Deidre said.

Now it is in, it is “very cool”.

“In the winter we don’t have a lot of hard court space for the kids when the grounds get too wet, so it means that more than two classes can be out doing activities in the winter.”

It is also used as an extra teaching space outside, and allows the school’s hockey players to practise on the same surface they have to play on, she said. 

“So they’re getting used to being able to control the ball, and things, on that, so it’s not a surprise when they have to go out and play hockey.”

The Weston Home and School will also pay for fencing, portable hockey goals, basketball and netball hoops, she said.