The school has established a timber play pod that will be filled with tyres, pallets, old tents, drums, PVC piping, hoops and other play items with a $1200 grant from the Telstra Kids Fund.

Deputy principal Damien Webster said the pod created an environmentally-sustainable activity area using only second-hand materials.

“The children will paint it with murals related to the environment,” he said.

The play area will be opened during lunch and recess for pupils to access the equipment.

“It helps give the students different opportunities of styles of play,” Mr Webster said.

“Not every child is a sport fanatic. It is a good way to help socialising, problem solving and creativity.”

Telstra Country Wide Area general manager for south-west Victoria Bill Mundy said the pod would be full of non-perishable and recyclable goods.

“We are proud to be able to help local groups, such as St John’s Dennington school, support the skills, talents and development of children,” he said.

“We fund these projects because they add value to the lives of the children who participate, their families and the wider community.”

Grant recipients are nominated by Telstra employees with children in their families that are actively involved in community organisations. 

“We give our staff an opportunity twice a year to apply to the Telstra Kids Fund,” Mr Mundy said.

St John’s is one of 625 community organisations across Australia to benefit from the grants in 2014.

The Telstra Kids Fund has provided $8.8 million over the past 12 years to more than 7600 organisations across Australia.