School's out from this weekend but the gates at 17 Illawarra schools will remain open during the holidays to allow everyone to stay and play.
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The 17 local schools are among 300 public schools across the state taking part in the NSW Government's Share Our Space program.
Here in the Illawarra, people can play in the grounds of Corrimal, Kanahooka, Lake Illawarra and Oak Flats high schools as well as Jamberoo, Koonawarra, Lake Heights, Mount Brown and Windang public schools.
Five Islands Secondary College and nearby Port Kembla Public School will take part in the program from September 30 to October 11, as will Austinmer, Bellambi, Helensburgh, Mount St Thomas, Nareena Hills and Tarrawanna public schools.
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said opening safe and purpose built play areas for children that would otherwise be left unused was a great initiative.
"We have many wonderful schools here in the Shellharbour electorate with fantastic play areas and it makes sense to share these spaces with the surrounding community when possible," she said.
"Parents know that finding safe, free and fun places for their kids to play during school holidays can sometimes be challenging.
"The Share Our Space program helps solve the age old task of keeping the kids entertained in the holidays."
Opening hours are 8am to 5pm, seven days a week including public holidays.
Parents are advised to check individual school websites for any changes to the standard opening hours.
Illawarra schools open over the spring holidays:
- Austinmer Public School
- Bellambi Public School
- Corrimal High School
- Five Islands Secondary College
- Helensburgh Public School
- Jamberoo Public School
- Kanahooka High School
- Koonawarra Public School
- Lake Heights Public School
- Lake Illawarra High School
- Mount Brown Public School
- Mount St Thomas Public School
- Nareena Hills Public School
- Oak Flats Public School
- Port Kembla Public School
- Tarrawanna Public School
- Windang Public School
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
