St Luke’s Pond opening ceremony
Last month, St Luke’s C of E Primary School, Bournemouth celebrated the official opening of their wildlife pond and a brand new outdoor learning centre.
Students, teachers, supporters and local community gathered together to recognise the efforts of staff, volunteers and the community in making both projects a success; and a wonderful learning opportunity for the students, who were excited to participate and promised to keep the areas clean and wildlife friendly.
The students also prepared a wonderful Birthday banner for Dr Jane’s 90th, and the pond was the perfect setting for a photo and birthday wishes.
Claire Williams, St Luke’s Primary School said: “I was delighted to see the new outdoor learning zone be opened in time for the warmer weather that spring /summer brings. To see it on the ceremony day adorned with a red bow and the fence decorated with balloons was heartwarming.
Many hours of thought and research went into this project at the planning stage, when it still felt like a concept. Then as each element was added it became a reality and developed into the vision myself and the PTFA had for it. I am delighted that the resource paid for solely with fundraised money, will be used to enrich the children’s learning experiences at St Luke’s.
I will always remember the countdown and cheer from the children when the ribbon was cut and the excitement for a positive addition for the school.
It now celebrates and connects the beautiful pond area, with which we were so lucky to have the support of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots programme along with Bournemouth University. I hope the area will be used and enjoyed by many pupils in the years to come.”
Emma Jenkins, Bournemouth University said: “It was fantastic to be part of the official pond opening at St Luke's Primary School, Bournemouth. To see the PTFA run with what we originally created and add the Learning Barn is so heartening. So many people within the community worked hard to make the pond a reality from the Bournemouth University staff and students who co-created it with the St Luke's children, the Springbourne firefighting team that filled it with two fire trucks' worth of water, the local companies that helped clear rubbish and donated materials (Eco Sustainable Solutions and Cool Loft Conversions-Thank you!) and finally to the local council who cleared and took away much of the unwanted vegetation. The pond was dug in 2022 as part of the Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots programme, and in 2023 we were invited to their awards ceremony at the Barbican, London. It was inspirational to go there and see the wonderful things other groups across the UK are doing. There was such a variety of projects and initiatives. We now hope that the pond area at St Luke's can become a valuable learning resource for the children as well as a rich habitat for local wildlife. We know we have some happy looking newts!”
All photos: Ben Stoney