Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Pupils see fruits of their labour
The fruits of Plains Primary pupils’ hard work was there for all to see as the school unveiled fantastic facilities.
The new orchard, rubbery and polytunnel was created at the village’s community allotments.
Primary Four and Five youngsters led the opening ceremony with a presentation for their fellow pupils, parents, friends, allotment members and Airdrie North councillors Alan Beveridge and Tommy Morgan.
The excited pupils cut the ribbon to declare the new areas open and invited their guests to take a look around, before juice and cake were served up.
Fruit trees were planted at the start of the year at the entrance to the allotment and the new rubbery was created using rubber tyres that were abandoned by fly-tippers in the area.
The tyres are now home to several plants, while the polytunnel was funded by a successful application for a Food For Thought grant from the Scottish government.
Since the funding came through, Plains Primary staff, pupils and parents and allotment members have all volunteered to clear the ground for the new polytunnel, construct the frame and cover it with polythene to complete the structure.
Many of the parents who attended the facility’s launch spoke very highly of the pupils’ confidence in delivering their presentation, and of their surprise at how big the 20x15 foot polytunnel was.
Principal teacher Gail Wilson hailed the school’s partnership wi t h the community allotments and how members, particularly Gordon White, have continued to support the school’s outdoor learning “to the very highest level”.
Ms Wilson added: “The new polytunnel would not have been constructed without Gordon and other members of the community allotment team.
“The P4/5 class will continue to work at the allotment every Friday during this school session.
“Their learning over the winter will involve constructing units and benches that can be used inside the new polytunnel.
“The pupils will also be using their maths and measuring knowledge to consider the layout of the seating and units for inside the tunnel.
“The three new areas at the allotments will be of benefit to all of the classes and our staff and pupils are really looking forward to continuing to develop their knowledge and skills further.”