Hill View primary school – a better and safer place to learn and play - Official opening of renovated playgrounds
July 13 2009
Runcorn – July 10: Over 200 children, parents and staff of Hill View Primary School gathered to witness the official opening of the entirely renovated playgrounds by Mike Hall MP. The opening marks the 'icing on the cake' of a 6 month project to make the playgrounds a better, safer and more sustainable place to play. The project was made possible by a $ 55,000 (£34,465.47 GBP) donation from the Alcoa Foundation, the global charity fund of Alcoa Inc; parent company of Runcorn based Kawneer UK Limited.
For many years Hill View Primary School, with 180 students has wished to completely renovate its playground. The outdoor grounds were quite worn with very little inspiration for the children and importantly, they could not support the educational goals of the school. "We heard of the Alcoa Foundation through Kawneer UK employee Steve Murphy, one of our parents, and decided that this was a fantastic opportunity," said Mrs. Abrahams, Head of Hill View Primary school. "With the support of Kawneer UK and hard work of Sharon Cullen, Chair of our PTA we were able to propose the project to the US based Alcoa Foundation and after filling out the paperwork and presenting our business case, we were granted the budget to start the works".
Range of activities
The Hill View playground now offers a range of exciting physical activities for pupils within each age group. There is a multi-use games area, a new stage for children to perform their very own 'Hill View's got Talent' show and they can negotiate an exciting Adventure Trail. In the near future, students will also be able to increase their nature and wildlife awareness through a soon to be installed Eco Area.
An even better school
"We were thrilled to work with the Hill View Primary School and the Alcoa Foundation in order to make this project happen", said Lindsey Wharton of Kawneer UK. "During visits to the school we could see firsthand how the entirely revamped grounds contribute to making Hill View an even better school for Runcorn's children".
