Christ the King Catholic School in Amesbury has paid tribute to a much-loved former member of staff by naming its new outdoor gym after her, recognising nearly 30 years of dedication to generations of pupils.
The school, part of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, officially opened ‘Mrs Blackman’s Outdoor Gym’ in honour of Kath Blackman, who retired in December after serving the school community in a variety of roles.
Mrs Blackman first became a familiar face in Amesbury as a lollipop lady before supporting children at Christ the King as a reading helper and midday supervisor. Over almost three decades, she became a valued member of the school family, known for her warmth, kindness and care.
The new outdoor gym has been installed on the school field and is available for pupils to enjoy during playtimes and lunchtimes, encouraging active and healthy breaks throughout the day.
Funding for the project came through a combination of school fundraising events and generous support from the parish community, helping the school reach its target and bring the idea to life.
The equipment was designed and installed by Sunshine Gym, which also created bespoke signage recognising Mrs Blackman’s years of service.
Sophie Short, headteacher at Christ the King Catholic School, said, “Mrs Blackman has been such a special part of our school family for so many years and has supported generations of children with warmth, kindness and care.
“Even after her retirement, she remains very much part of Christ the King, so it felt only right that we recognised her in a way that will continue to bring joy to our pupils for years to come. We are very grateful to the parish for their generous support in helping to make this possible.”
Michael FitzPatrick, Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Amesbury, said, “We are very proud of Christ the King and the staff who have built such a strong, caring school community over many years.
“When the opportunity came to support this project in honour of Mrs Blackman, we were delighted to contribute through parish fundraising and donations, helping create something that will benefit children for years to come.”
Helen Taylor, CEO of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, said, “Christ the King has always been at the heart of its community, and this is a wonderful way to recognise someone who has given so much to generations of children and families.”
The tribute reflects Christ the King’s strong focus on community, kindness and service, celebrating the people who help make the school a welcoming and supportive place for children and families across generations.
