OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning)
Play is important at Newbridge and as an OPAL school we champion play and all the benefits it provides.
The Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) program provides significant value to schools by improving children's well-being, enhancing behaviour, and creating a more inclusive and productive school environment. The program focuses on transforming non-curricular playtime, a period that makes up about 20% of a child's time in primary school.
Value for children
- Improved happiness and mental health: OPAL schools report that children are happier and more engaged, with greater enjoyment of school. Research has also shown that time spent outdoors boosts children's mental well-being and helps them feel calmer.
- Enhanced development of life skills: Free, creative play helps children develop critical life skills that are not taught in the classroom. This includes:
- Creativity and imagination
- Cooperation and communication
- Resilience and problem-solving
- Confidence and independence
- Increased physical activity: The program gets children more active by expanding their access to school grounds and encouraging different types of physical play. One study found that children are more than two-and-a-half times more active when outdoors compared to indoors.
- Inclusive playtimes: OPAL transforms play for every child, creating more active and enjoyable experiences for everyone.
- Healthy risk-taking: By adopting a risk-benefit approach, the program teaches children how to identify and manage risks in a safe, controlled environment. This helps them learn to assess situations and build resilience.
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Play Days
Each year we hold a whole school ‘Play Day’ to celebrate the importance of childhood and play.