CASE STUDY: GILGAI PLAINS PRIMARY SCHOOL, VIC
Gilgai Plains primary school, overwhelmed by rapid growth and craving connection, faced a challenge as enrolments doubled to 824 students in just three years, leaving their outdated play spaces unable to keep up—stifling creativity and collaboration in a community desperate for both.
Gilgai Plains primary school, overwhelmed by rapid growth and craving connection, faced a challenge as enrolments doubled to 824 students in just three years, leaving their outdated play spaces unable to keep up—stifling creativity and collaboration in a community desperate for both.
The challenge
Gilgai Plains Primary School, nestled in Melbourne’s fast-growing Kalkallo community, faced a dilemma. Just three years after opening, enrolments doubled to 824 students, outpacing their outdoor play areas. The existing spaces—rigid and uninspired—failed to encourage collaboration or imaginative play. Teachers saw students missing out on vital social and language development, especially with a high percentage of English-as-an-additional-language learners. The school needed versatile, durable play spaces to support both unstructured fun and structured learning, all while keeping up with a booming community.
"Our kids work hard in class—we needed a space to unwind and connect,”
– Anthea Jamieson, Principal.
"Our kids work hard in class—we needed a space to unwind and connect,”
– Anthea Jamieson, Principal.
The challenge
Gilgai Plains Primary School, nestled in Melbourne’s fast-growing Kalkallo community, faced a dilemma. Just three years after opening, enrolments doubled to 824 students, outpacing their outdoor play areas. The existing spaces—rigid and uninspired—failed to encourage collaboration or imaginative play. Teachers saw students missing out on vital social and language development, especially with a high percentage of English-as-an-additional-language learners. The school needed versatile, durable play spaces to support both unstructured fun and structured learning, all while keeping up with a booming community.
"Our kids work hard in class—we needed a space to unwind and connect,”
– Anthea Jamieson, principal.
"Our kids work hard in class—we needed a space to unwind and connect,” – Anthea Jamieson, Principal.
The solution:
A cubby house village for learning and play
Castle & Cubby partnered with Gilgai Plains to design a custom Cubby House Village—a dynamic play space featuring six themed cubbies (including a vet, fire station, and food truck) and bespoke decking. Our goal? To blend imaginative role-play with real-world learning, tailored to a growing school. We collaborated closely with the school’s leadership and Student Action Team, incorporating their ideas to create a ‘high street’ vibe that reflects community life. Using sustainable materials and thoughtful design, we maximised the existing landscape—pathways and trees—to encourage fluid, supervised play across a broad, open space.
2 custom built decks, a brand new custom designed bridge, along with plans provided for clear sightlines for supervision and materials built to withstand 800+ kids.
The solution:
A cubby house village for learning and play
Castle & Cubby partnered with Gilgai Plains to design a custom Cubby House Village—a dynamic play space featuring six themed cubbies (including a vet, fire station, and food truck) and bespoke decking. Our goal? To blend imaginative role-play with real-world learning, tailored to a growing school. We collaborated closely with the school’s leadership and Student Action Team, incorporating their ideas to create a ‘high street’ vibe that reflects community life. Using sustainable materials and thoughtful design, we maximised the existing landscape—pathways and trees—to encourage fluid, supervised play across a broad, open space.
2 custom built decks, a brand new custom designed bridge, along with plans provided for clear sightlines for supervision and materials built to withstand 800+ kids.
How the cubby village transformed our school!
Principal Anthea Jamieson shares how the cubby house village has revitalised play at Gilgai Plains. From boosting collaboration among diverse peers to supporting the Connections Program for social skills, the village has become a cornerstone of learning and fun.
“The friendships have strengthened through play—they’re loving it!” – Anthea Jamieson, Principal.
How the cubby village transformed our school
Principal Anthea Jamieson shares how the play-based learning village has revitalised play at Gilgai Plains. From boosting collaboration among diverse peers to supporting the Connections Program for social skills, the village has become a cornerstone of learning and fun.
“The friendships have strengthened through play—they’re loving it!”
– Anthea Jamieson, Principal.
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"Worth every cent!"
- Anthea Jamieson Principal
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Bring imaginative play to your school and watch your community thrive.
"Worth every cent!"
- Anthea Jamieson Principal
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