Marafiki Garden Open Day
On Friday 5th July, the Marafiki gardening group held an open day to local schools, residents, staff, governors and pupils.
During the morning we welcomed visitors from Corpus Christi Catholic High School accompanied by Mr Robinson who originally founded the garden during his time at Our Lady’s. He was incredibly impressed with the progress that had been made to the garden since it was first set up 2 years ago and the fantastic ongoing work led by Mr Bilsborough. Mr Robinson brought 8 year 7 pupils to explain the purpose of the garden and the connection that it has with Tanzania. Mr Robinson is keen to get something similar up and running at Corpus Christi. Pupils had time to explore the garden but also took part in a number of activities, for example looking at the rate and temperature of decomposition in the compost heaps. They also planted their own herbs which they could take home.
We then had members of the local pre-school, St Anthony’s, who walked down to examine the garden. The children again had time to investigate the garden whilst being told about the different areas as well as a number of different activities. These included arts and crafts and a treasure hunt to find different features and plants in the garden. The children were then told that they were more than welcome to return to the garden with their parents and carers when they were picked up. A number of children returned to show off what they had learned and seen. All children were a pleasure and more than welcome to return to the garden in the future.
In between visits, we also had a number of classes visit the garden. This included Science, Geography and Resistant Materials classes. Each class was looking at the garden relating to their subject area. The Science class looked at composting, photosynthesis and the plant life cycle. The Geography class looked at sustainability. The Resistant Materials looked at the creation of the planters, raised beds and bird boxes.
In the afternoon, residents, staff and governors were invited to see the garden. Members of the Marafiki Gardening club showed the visitors around the garden to explain what we had done as well as talking to our guests. Strawberries, scones and jam and cream and a beautiful strawberry and cream cake went down a treat. Local residents commented on how impressed there were with the garden and liked the way that pupils had an area to come to and learn different skills needed for growing plants as well as fruits and vegetables.
There was a lot of hard work put into organising the day by both pupils and staff. Hopefully this will allow us to receive the last of the RHS School awards which we have been working towards for the last 2 years.
To see our journey over the 2 years please look for earlier reports in the Latest News section of the school website.
If you would like to visit our garden or donate, please contact Ms C Bown on cbo@olchs.lancs.sch.uk or Mrs Sewell on kse@olchs.lancs.sch.uk or call the school.
Thank you again for all of your support.
Marafiki Gardening Club
