Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Kids enjoy the great outdoors
Joy as community project finally gets green light
Airdrie youngsters are jumping for joy after their outdoor space and community resource was given the green light by North Lanarkshire Council.
Staff and pupils at St Andrew’s Primary and Nursery were thrilled when the new learning facility finally became a reality, thanks to funding from the local authority.
The project began almost two years ago and was the vision of acting principal teacher Colette Lambie, who inspired senior pupils to campaign for the purpose-built outdoor space.
It was given the go ahead by Matt Costello, community partnership manager for the council, with Airdrie Central councillor Nancy Pettigrew also lending her support.
And following a series of consultation meetings, the project finally came to fruition.
Matt Costello said: “It was great that we were able to work in partnership with the school to create a space that can be used as an outdoor classroom but is also accessible by the wider community.
“At the time when we agreed the funding for this project we did not anticipate just how vital these outdoor spaces would become for the children.”
The excited youngsters were able to have a direct influence on the kind of space that they wanted. The area has amenities for den building, seating, outdoor teaching and general outdoor play to engage their imaginations outwith the confines of a classroom.
Benefits for the children, in terms of their mental health and wellbeing, will be “immeasurable” across the local community.
The school is working on exciting future plans for expansion of the site to include other outdoor activities which is what the local development programme funding encourages.
Mrs Lambie enthused: “It’s been fabulous. The children are absolutely loving it.
“We have some children who find it difficult to concentrate and that’s when you see them excelling.
“It’s been really nice, especially with some of the senior children who think they are too cool.
“To learn outdoors and learn to play and relax has definitely helped them with their transition into school.”
She added: “The timing of this project has been so fitting, in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
“Schools have been advised to take learning outdoors as often as possible to minimise the risk of infection, and it is wonderful to have this dedicated space where children can come and learn in a natural environment.
“The impact of regular access to a space like this on the physical and mental health of our pupils is immeasurable.”
As well as benefiting the school, the “fantastic resource” will also serve the wider communy.
Head teacher Jennifer Flanagan explained: “This is a fantastic resource, not just for our school, but the Whinhall and Burnfoot areas.
“To ensure that the area is kept clean and safe, we are calling on the local community to check up on it regularly and to clear away any litter and report any hazards that might make it dangerous for our children.
“We are sorely disappointed that we could not celebrate the launch of our outdoor classroom as we would have liked, and wish to extend our thanks to all who made this a reality.
“In particular, we would like to thank our former pupils, who set this whole project in motion.
“It is an inspiration to all of our children, to see that their actions have the power to bring about positive change in their community.”
The youngsters themselves have discovered a newly found appreciation for nature through imaginative play and learning.
Ellie Goldfarb of P6 said: “I just like to be myself and learn about all the different kinds of trees and nature.”
Fellow pupil Kinga Sokoloski added: “My favourite thing about the moss is to use your imagination and pretend you’re just wild.”