The King Edward’s Pre-Prep and Nursery community gathered together on Friday to celebrate the opening of ‘Teddy’s Garden’, the school’s new outdoor learning and creative space.
With its new dipping pond, Victorian-style greenhouse, raised flower and vegetable beds and seated area, the new garden is set to further enhance outdoor learning and creativity at the school. The Gardening Club has already been busy planting vegetables in the new beds and tending younger crops in the greenhouse, and with the dipping pond complete, the children are looking forward to exploring pond life during lessons.
At the centre of the new garden is a sculpture of children playing ‘Ring o Ring O Roses’, created by renowned Somerset-based wire and willow sculptor, Fon Cosens. The new centrepiece is made out of recycled copper wiring, echoing the environmentally aware nature of the Pre-Prep.
Prior to the official opening, the children enjoyed a willow sculpture workshop with Fon.
The redevelopment of the old pond area was made possible by the enthusiastic support of Pre-Prep parents who arranged a cinema night and an amazing Fish ‘n’ Sips evening with raffles and an auction, all aimed at raising funds to help the School achieve this wonderful outdoor setting for pupils.
In doing so, the Pre-Prep was also very pleased to donate £4,000 of the amount raised to Dorothy House Hospice Care.
During her speech to parents on Friday, Ms Gilbert, Head of King Edward’s School Pre-Prep, said, “This is a wonderful addition to the school grounds. All the children will use this area to grow plants, pond dip and if they need a reflective space they now have the perfect environment to come to. I cannot thank last year’s Parent Reps enough for all their hard work and to all of you who came along and supported our fundraising events. Together we have helped to provide this wonderful new space for the children.”