Cire Community School, Yarra Junction
A clever blend of steel strength and natural bushland design

Project Overview

Project Overview

Cire Community School’s Yarra Junction campus recently underwent a major refurbishment, creating a purpose-built environment designed to support a diverse cohort of students. Set within native bushland, the school now features a new landscaped outdoor learning area that provides both stimulating and calming spaces for students to regulate, explore and engage.

As part of this upgrade, Activity Playgrounds delivered a play space that combines durability with a natural aesthetic. Using the Northcote Climbing Cube from our Perseverance range — a steel sub-range of Resilience — the project demonstrates how long lasting steel structures can still feel warm, inviting and perfectly suited to a bushland environment. Two Bush Hut Book Nooks were also installed in separate locations, creating quiet retreat spaces for reflection, reading and rest.

Design and Layout

The design cleverly integrates our steel play elements into a natural setting without losing the earthy, grounded feel typically associated with timber playgrounds. The deep greens and natural tones chosen for the Northcote Cube complement the surrounding bushland, allowing the structure to sit comfortably within the landscape.

The layout balances active and passive zones:

  • The Climbing Cube provides height, challenge and movement for students seeking stimulation.

  • The Book Nooks offer sheltered, low-sensory spaces ideal for quiet play, reading or emotional regulation.

This approach supports the school’s vision of offering both loud and quiet areas to meet the needs of its diverse learners.

Play Elements

The play space features a variety of elements designed to encourage physical development, problem-solving and self-confidence:

  • Northcote Climbing Cube 
    A multi-directional climbing structure combining nets, climbing walls, stepping pods, overhead bars and balance elements. It challenges coordination, upper-body strength and decision-making while offering multiple pathways for movement.

  • Book Nook Shelters
    Two timber Book Nooks positioned in different zones throughout the yard provide cosy, grounded spaces for reading, quiet time and imaginative play.

Together, these elements support both active exploration and calming regulation, reflecting the school’s commitment to offering diverse, student-centred learning environments.

Products Used

AP7333A_ClimbingCube_Northcote_Render1
book, nook, timber, climber, activity, playgrounds, natural, wood, climbing, play, fun, kids

Where Nature Meets Play

Designed for active, skill-building play, the Perseverance range pairs durable Australian steel with premium HDPE to create high-value challenge elements that build confidence, coordination and resilience through movement and exploration.

Explore the full Perseverance range and download product specs, CAD files, and high-quality renders