After experiencing preparing the soil for the new year to arrive has strengthened the children's muscles and mind. When the seeds were sown, the gentleness and concentration was challenged, not to leave empty spaces and not to choke the other seeds and flowers by sowing too many seeds on one spot. Waiting and watering was the next step, where big and small had to challenge their patient nature and heart over a long period of time. When finally, the new flowers appeared, there was joy and excitement along the way, while looking after the school garden and polytunnel of the school. At the children’s coming and going to and from the school, they kept on checking what new things they can discover. Some of the beautiful flowers even made it to the children’s home’s kitchen table 😉.
As slowly the flowers of the established biodiversity corner came to their lives-end, it was a sad time for many children, to witness how their heads bent down, changed colours and finally made their way down to the ground. This was a time to talk about life and death and how nature has its way throughout the year. It takes an extra effort to encourage children to look forward to the new springtime and wait for new flowers to grow again.
Now, is the time to fully tidy up our biodiversity corner and let the cold season come and bring quietness and rest over nature. We will all treasure the last few flowers glowing in the dark, as well as observing the birdfeeders which will hopefully attract many birds during the cold season, through their beautiful design (and food) from our 5th class pupils. New flower bulbs will accompany the seeds who are hiding in the ground and receive a restful time during the winter.
Soon, the flower corner will also be accompanied by more trees, our new established wormery and the long-awaited biodiversity signs we plan to purchase with the remaining grant. So, we are patiently waiting for the spring to arrive and see what else we can add to the beautiful area of our school.
We are all delighted to see how all our flowers have come on over the holidays. We are now getting ready for our new fence to be prepared and put up to keep all the beauties save. Very soon, we will bring some company for the flowers and insects to find more work to do. Watch out!!!!
As previously outlined on the school plan below, pollinator patch (1) is now fully growing and enjoying the sun and rain that has been helping those little seeds to grow into beautiful flowers.
During the holidays, only the insects and a few people working in the school can enjoy this wonderful growth but soon, the children can enjoy this view too.
Our fence is ready to be painted and put up for the new school term, so these flowers will not be disturbed from anyone walking inside this area.
The children drew a map of the school and marked the locations of our planned wildflower gardens.
Now, we are waiting, watering and making sure that these little plants can grow into strong, beautiful and healthy flowers!
Look what we saw after one week!
Finally, we could start and get into actions!
5th class children started to prepare the place with shovels, rakes and a lot of enthusiasm and got plants into the ground and the first set of seeds.
After waiting for a long time for the topsoil to get prepared for our children to step into action, Fingal County Council finally came with a digger and a load of mulch.
While we are waiting for the topsoil to be levelled, we got busy with planting more pollinator friendly plants on our "Adopt a Patch which we have received from @TU Dublin Horticulture Department. Two nature loving boys from 6th class were planting and learning about the need of planting pollinator friendly plants in our community. Thank you to Jack and Jake.
A big THANK YOU to our 5th class pupils, who have now completed taking the measurement of the planned wildflower areas around the yard. One single plan, includes various skills development: communication, teamwork, maths, problem-sovling, fine & gross motor skills etc.
Now we are ready to order the right amount of native wildflower seeds.
The boys and girls in 5th class have been busy measuring the plots around the school grounds for the planting of our wildflowers. We are looking forward to filling the plots with wildflowers very soon to attract all our insect and bee friends for a visit.
To all the the insects and flower friends out there. If you have any native Irish wildflower seeds to spare, please contact us and we will adopt them and give them a loving home here at St. Luke's NS.
Our first team meeting with some of the team members was encouraging and brought many ideas and suggestion along, which we will share with you shortly. We looked at areas around the school ground, that can be used to develop an area to support biodiversity and to bring the pollinator plan junior into action.
The topsoil will be arriving tomorrow and pupils will help to level the soil on the designated areas.
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