A brand new garden which includes areas for both play and education has been constructed at St Martin’s School.
The garden, which was initially designed by pupils in Year 3 and developed by parent Vanessa Crispini-Adams and local architect Paul Langlois, requires minimal maintenance and only needs attention once a year. Funding for the garden project was provided by a £1,500 donation from Lagan Construction Group, along with additional funding from the PTA.
St Martin’s School Headteacher, Cate Mason, said:
“The school didn’t have a garden area and we wanted to create something that would attract wildlife, support indigenous plants and trees and provide an area where children could learn and have fun.
“The garden is divided into four contrasting areas: a quiet area for reflection and drawing, a role play area for creative play, a raised platform where a whole class can gather and learn and an area for den-making and construction play.”
Work started on the garden project in summer 2012, during the school holidays, and was completed in October 2012. During the final stages of the project pupils were encouraged to take part in the scheme by planting new shrubs and plants.
Cate added:
“There has been an emphasis in the UK on creating outdoor classrooms and we recognised the many benefits this area could bring but of course funding was a barrier we had to overcome.
“We were very lucky that volunteers gave up their time to help with the manual labour and we used the planting as an educational lesson for the children. However, the whole project really wouldn’t have been possible without the financial support of Lagan and the PTA and so we were extremely grateful to them.”
Project manager for Lagan Construction Group Steve Turner said the garden would bring many benefits.
Steve added:
“Part of Lagan’s ethos is to support legacy projects within the communities in which we are working. The garden at St Martin’s School will be a place where children for generations to come can meet together, learn and play and it will enhance the educational facilities that the school has.”
For more information about the Lagan Construction Group please visit: www.laganconstruction.com.
