New Wildlife Garden for St Catharines School

Enterprising children unveil new wildlife garden and outdoor learning resource in school grounds.

After months of meticulous planning St Catharine’s School Wildlife Garden had its official opening this week on Tuesday 17th July and our very own Birdland’s assistant head-keeper Chris Abbey, attended the opening ceremony and cut the ribbon, accompanied by Cariad, the White-faced Scops Owl.

The redevelopment of the wildlife area at St Catharine’s, a forward-thinking primary school based in Chipping Campden, was originally conceived following a school trip to Birdland Park and Gardens, located in Bourton-on-Water. The trip was arranged to support a habitats and environments topic Class 5 were studying; they were looking in detail at how birds have adapted to suit their environment. Back at school the visit became the springboard for discussions around the development of a more sustainable wildlife and nature area for the school grounds.

The whole project was made possible through funding received from various sources. A grant was obtained from Health 4 Schools Futures, courtesy of Kraft Foods, and to help raise funds themselves the children enjoyed organising a Grand Bring and Buy sale. Everyone helped by baking cakes, sending in items for sale or buying them on the day – over £260 was raised, which was added to a generous donation from the schools Parent Action Group of £550. Once the funding was in place it was all systems go.

As part of their work in ICT (Information Computer Technology) Class 5 worked in partners and used graphic design programs to produce their own individual plans for the wildlife garden. This huge source of inspiration was then presented to Chris Lawrenson, of Cotswold-based Living Space Garden Design company, whose son attends St Catharine’s School, who incorporated as many design elements as possible from these plans in to the final design.

The children kept a watchful eye on the team of workmen as they set about the transformation and waited patiently for their chance to start using the area. To help support learning of life-cycle studies pupils have already built nesting boxes and shelters in DT lessons and discussions are underway to erect a weather station.

There was just one thing missing in the area – somewhere for the children to sit! Class 5 decided to approach local businesses and organisations; to see if they would be willing to fund a bench for the children to enjoy within the wildlife area. The last piece of the project came together thanks to Chipping Campden Rotary Club who kindly agreed to sponsor not just one, but three benches!

“It was extremely generous of the Rotary Group to fund the seating,” said Wendy Bennett Class 5 teacher. “We have positioned them in the garden alongside an additional bench kindly paid for and presented to school by our Year 6 pupils as their leaving present to school.”

Commenting on the project, Bennett concluded, “This project would not have been possible without the overwhelming response from the local community, support of the parents and the enthusiasm of our young talented pupils. I am incredibly proud of what the children have achieved here in the school grounds – it will be used and enjoyed by all the children as an invaluable outdoor learning resource”.

Photo
Chris Abbey, Birdland’s assistant head-keeper, with pupils from St Catharine’s RC Primary School who worked on the development of the wildlife garden. From left Alex King (holding Cariad), Sam Bayliss, Alice Irvine, Sam Lawrenson and Grace Meggeson