Anti-Bullying Week
The HEX Group’s 2022 Apprentice Awards Evening
Last year, our local primary school, St. Peters C.E. Primary in Hixon, started a fundraising campaign to create a multi-use games arena. Following months of fundraising, including a fun run organised and facilitated by the children, they raised a substantial amount of the cost needed to start the project. But, with a little bit to go, The HEX Group were approached by the school and happily donated £500 towards the build.
The school identified the need for more readily available and safe outdoor equipment through the need to change and develop how their children learn and play due to the pandemic. The school is fortunate to have a wealth of outdoor space. Still, allowing the children to engage in activities without substantial adult supervision was sometimes a challenge.
The school completed the project in February, so we took time to pay a visit to the school to see how the new multi-use game arena has changed sports at St. Peters C.E. Primary school.
Becky Whitfield, PTFA Chairperson and parent of two boys at the school said, "As a small school, shy of 200 pupils, we rely on donations. Thanks to The HEX Group's support, we proceeded with the project and installed a multi-use arena for children of all ages.
Before having the multi-use arena, there were just two football goals, and children had nowhere to experience or play other sports. The new space now allows children to play cricket, basketball and football in a safe and enclosed space, where less staff are required to supervise the children. The basketball nets have proved extremely popular for children across the entire school."
Laura Evans, PE Co-ordinator, added, "The children love being active, improving their physical and mental development. At break times and lunch, they know they can play safely. PE lessons also participate in the arena, allowing children to try new sports. The children have become much more engaged in sport, and their confidence to play and try new sports has improved considerably."
We asked a few of the children their thoughts, too. "We can now play different sports; basketball is our favourite."
"The multi-purpose space allows us to play two different games at once, and it is safe."
We were delighted to see the improvements the multi-use arena has made to the lives of the children at St. Peters C.E. Primary school. Sport plays a massive part in the development of children, both physically and mentally, so supporting this project was very rewarding for The HEX Group.
