The Ground
To engage, inspire and empower through Christ is the vision for learning at Suzanne Aubert Catholic School in Papamoa. This vision along with the school's values (the 7Cs - Christlike, Compassionate, Connected, Courageous, Curious, Creative, Collaborative) provided the foundation that the Playground Creations team incorporated into the design of the school’s new playgrounds. 

Opened in 2021, the Catholic primary school in Papamoa East, part of the All Saints by the Sea Catholic Parish, had identified two sites for potential playgrounds. The desire was to create play spaces that reflected two key narratives:

1. The story of Suzanne Aubert herself - the French Catholic Sister who travelled to New Zealand in 1860 and embarked on a mission to bring faith alive in Aotearoa. The school wanted the design to illustrate her travels and special connection with the Whanganui River.

2. Our narrative 'The Three Whales' which reflects the significance of local moana and maunga (Kopukairoa, Mangatawa and Hikurangi). The school wanted the design to also honour our connection with mana whenua Ngā Potiki and their two marae Tahuwhakatiki and Mangatawa which was integrated into the fort structures.

The Design
The first of the two playgrounds to be built was the junior playground in 2021. This space incorporated the ship that Suzanne Aubert travelled on from France and portrayed her connection with the Whanganui River. A vibrant blue dingy encourages collaborative and imaginative play, while strategically placed river rocks nearby challenge children’s balance.

The senior playground was designed and completed in 2024 and aims to challenge older Tamariki, so climbing apparatus in the form of rock walls, bars, and ladders were incorporated into the design, as was a zipline, basket swing, climbing net, and the favourite tube slide.

Both playgrounds were the result of consultation with the students themselves who created their own designs and 3D models to pitch to the school leadership team and Playground Creations design team. The result is a cohesive new play space that ignites the magic of play every day for junior and senior students alike, and which pays tribute to the history of the land and the people upon which the school is founded.