Families at Charnwood-Dunlop School in Canberra's north-west have filed a petition to fund a much-needed upgrade to the school's "outdated" playground.
Jessica Ascione, a parent and member of the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Association said the 30-year-old playground could only be used by kindergarteners, leaving older students without an outdoor play-space.
In the petition filed to the ACT Legislative Assembly, Ms Ascione said the school urgently needed funding for an all-abilities inclusive playground to accommodate children living with a disability.
"We have a child who uses a power chair," she said.
"There's also two children here who have childhood dementia, and they will eventually be in wheelchairs in their primary school life ... and inevitably, there will be more kids with accessibility needs."
Having moved schools earlier this year, Charnwood-Dunlop parent Emily Miller said not having a playground had been "a shock".
"As a parent of neurodivergent kids, so kids with autism or ADHD, a playground makes a huge difference to the ability for a child to regulate their emotions," she said.
"If they have that thing where they can go, they can swing, they can climb, they can run, they can go upside down, it's an amazing calm-down tool. It's wild that there is not one for the older kids."
Ms Miller's son, Zac, in year 5, said without a playground, his lunchtime options were limited.
"We just sit on a bench ... it's boring," he said.
The petition had received 359 signatures out of 500 at the time of writing.
Over the last 18 months, members of the P&C and school community have raised half of their $100,000 target through colour runs, cookie sales and discos.
Parents said the school received some funding through the most recent asset renewal program. However, funds were prioritised for necessary building upgrades, as well as addressing health and safety concerns at the toilets, which students had been refusing to use.
Parents said the school had applied to a number of grants, including the Active Australia by the Heart Foundation, but were unsuccessful.
An ACT Education Directorate spokesperson said the ACT government was continuing to "invest in public school infrastructure upgrades to ensure that all students can take full advantage of educational opportunities".
"Although Charnwood-Dunlop School did not apply for an additional playground through the most recent asset renewal program, the directorate will work with the school to ensure they are aware of opportunities to apply in the next round, which is due to open in October," the spokesperson said.
