St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School is recognised as one of Brisbane’s leading independent schools, with a reputation for excellence in education, leadership, and student experience.

When the school engaged Everything Outside to create a new adventure playground, the expectation was clear: the play space needed to reflect the same high standards found throughout the rest of the campus.

Located in a highly visible position adjacent to the school’s new café and visible from the street, the playground would become an important part of the school’s identity. It needed to capture the imagination of students while also creating a lasting impression on current families and prospective parents visiting the campus.

Designed with Students, for Students

A key part of the project was collaboration with the Student Playground Committee.

Students were invited into the design process and provided a detailed wish list of features they hoped to see included in the new space. Their ideas helped shape the final outcome, ensuring the playground reflected how students wanted to play, explore, connect, and challenge themselves.

The result is a space that feels genuinely owned by the school community.

Delivering the Wow Factor

The brief called for a destination playground that would excite students from the moment they arrived.

At the heart of the design sits a dramatic elevated tower structure that creates a strong visual presence while offering multiple levels of challenge and exploration. Connected play experiences encourage movement, adventure, and discovery, giving students opportunities to test themselves physically while building confidence and resilience.

The playground includes:

• Elevated adventure towers
• A track ride
• Custom climbing wall
• Hideaway boxes and a secret garden retreat space
• In-ground trampoline
• Pod gathering space
• Musical play elements
• Water fountain and landscape features

Together, these elements create a rich and varied play experience that supports active play, imaginative play, social interaction, and moments of quiet retreat.

Learning Through Adventure

At St Margaret’s, learning extends beyond the classroom.

The playground was designed to support the development of confidence, independence, creativity, and social connection. Students can choose their own level of challenge, collaborate with friends, create imaginative games, or find spaces for reflection and conversation.

The secret garden and hideaway spaces provide opportunities for quieter forms of play, while the larger adventure elements encourage movement, risk-taking, and problem-solving.

A Playground Set Within Nature

One of the most distinctive features of the project is its setting beneath a magnificent mature tree canopy.

The established trees provide natural shade, seasonal interest, and a sense of connection to nature that is increasingly valuable within contemporary school environments.

Rather than competing with the landscape, the playground was designed to sit comfortably within it, using natural materials, warm timber finishes, and carefully considered forms that complement the surrounding environment.

A Showcase for the School

Because the playground can be seen from the road, it plays an important role in communicating the school’s values to the wider community.

For prospective families, it provides an immediate insight into the school’s commitment to student wellbeing and creating exceptional learning environments. For current families, it reinforces the school’s investment in delivering outstanding experiences beyond the classroom.

The finished space is more than a playground—it is a visible expression of the school’s commitment to excellence.

Project Outcomes

• Landmark adventure playground visible from the street
• Student-led design process incorporating Playground Committee feedback
• Signature elevated tower play experience
• Track ride, climbing challenges, trampoline, and adventure elements
• Secret garden and nature-based exploration spaces
• Opportunities for active play, social connection, and quiet retreat
• Integration within a beautiful mature tree canopy
• Enhanced campus presentation and school identity
• A unique destination space reflecting the quality of the St Margaret’s experience

At Everything Outside, we believe exceptional schools deserve exceptional outdoor environments. This project demonstrates how thoughtful design, student engagement, and attention to detail can create a play space that inspires adventure, connection, and a lifelong love of learning.