New school playground is on its way thanks to fundraising pupils
PRIMARY pupils have been running laps around their school to raise money for a new playground.
Bankhead Primary’s fun run has returned after being put on ice for two years due to the Covid pandemic.
The annual event, organised by Miss Caterina Verrecchia’s P5 class, raises money for school necessities like new books and chairs.
This year, the Knightswood pupils said they wanted to improve their playground.
Yesterday, a number of students hit the ground running before an audience of parents as well as city councillors Bill Butler and Eva Murray. Each class ran around the campus once for every year of their grade, with the seven laps by P7 nearing 2.5 miles.
The P7s returned for an eighth lap to escort a buddy from P1 around the block. Miss Verrecchia told The Glasgow Times this was the first time this year the whole school has been able to come together for an event.
The teacher said she explains to her class that “even 50p can make a difference when we add everyone’s contributions together”.
Mrs Vicky McCool, head teacher at the primary, said: “We consulted with the P5s on what they thought we could improve, and they chose the playground. It’s been a lovely opportunity to get the school together, and I want to send many thanks to Miss Verrecchia and her P5s for organising the event.”
Mrs McCool said a new sensory playground would be “greener” and “more accessible”, with features for children of all ages.
Miss Verrecchia’s class described the thought of new playground equipment as exciting, and said they were keen to try new things. They liked the idea of new equipment for everyone in their school to play with, and unanimously agreed that raising money for their school was “awesome”. Councillor Christina Cannon, city convener for education, communities and equalities, said: “This is a lovely example of pupil power at its best and taking control of ways in which to improve their envi-ronment to help others and being active at the same time.
“The fun run has brought the whole school community together to raise funds for playground up-grades that will include a sensory garden – the children and staff will have had great fun and I look forward to going to visit and meet the children and see the refurbishments first hand.”