Sunderland school opens community allotment on site
Children from St Mary Magdalen Catholic Primary School visited the community allotment which has been set up at St. Aidan’s Catholic Academy. The venture between the two schools, which are both part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, is part of St Aidan’s drive to be more sustainable.
Green fingers
20 reception pupils from St Mary Magdalen Catholic Primary School visited St Aidan’s Catholic Academy to engage in a range of gardening activities including a tour of the polytunnels where the youngsters learnt about what was growing and had a turn at watering the vegetables; planting flowers; decorating raised beds with colourful chalk; followed a worm trail searching for fun facts about worms hidden around the garden; and listened to a story, Superworm by Julia Donaldson.
St Aidan’s Catholic Academy RE teacher Anna Armstrong said:
“The allotment was set up in March 2022 to work towards the St Aidan’s three sustainable development goals, which are action on climate change, good health and wellbeing, and reduce hunger. Additionally, we want to work with the local community to create a safe, post-Covid space for all members of our community to enjoy. We want to build cross-generational relationships by working with local nurseries, primary schools and care homes, and support those in need by distributing produce grown on site. Special thanks must go to our lovely volunteer, Lynne Reay, who is the grandmother of one of our pupils, whose help has been invaluable.”
Reception teacher Joanne Robson, from St Mary Magdalen Catholic Primary School, said:
“We had such a lovely afternoon. Congratulations to Anna and the boys for a successful event. They were an absolute credit to you.”
The allotment has had other visitors also with residents at Belle Vue Care Home joining the pupils as part of the school’s goal to promote cross-generational relationships.
Building a community
Director of Schools North East, Chris Zarraga said:
“This venture has been excellent at promoting not only collaboration within the trust but also enabling St Aidan’s Primary School to connect with their wider community. I look forward to seeing the results of this project in the future.”
St. Aidan’s Catholic Academy & St Mary Magdalen Catholic Primary School are Schools North East Partner Schools and are a part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust who are a Schools North East Partner Trust. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School Programme click here.
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