St Andrew’s Church School in Bath has celebrated a wonderful day of Fairy Tale inspired activities to celebrate the opening of its new Foundation Stage outdoor learning space.
The new playground was built in memory of St Andrew’s Headteacher Sue East, who died of cancer age 58 in December 2018. Sue made national headlines after writing a letter to the children in which she explained her illness and told the children to remember that there is “Fairy dust to be found in every situation, no matter how difficult.”
The learning space was built through fundraising started by Sue East’s niece, Rosie, which raised more than £7,000.
Pupils and adults from across the St Andrew’s community dressed up for the day as their favourite character, including a wonderful range of creative ideas and interpretations of Fairy Story characters including Tom Thumb and Peter Pan’s shadow.
Throughout the day, children engaged in different activities including finding clues behind fairy doors outside, creating apples for the St Andrew’s wish tree to record their ideas of how they can make St Andrew’s even better, a Philosophy for Children session based on a Fairy Tale and a chance for each class to visit the new playground for a play session with the Foundation Stage children. There was also a special musical celebration assembly including a cello trio and recorder group.
The school was pleased to welcome Sue’s family as well as the school’s extended community to the opening of the playground. Sue’s niece Rosie and former chair of governors, Jane Brown, both cut the ribbons to officially open the space, while daughter Susannah, son John and mum Mary Allen planted an apple tree to symbolise new growth for the future.
The ceremony was followed by a celebration tea party in the school hall.
One parent commented, “What a lovely day and afternoon you all put together yesterday. The kids loved it and we adults really enjoyed it too. It was a perfect way to show St Andrew’s style of celebrating life and the life of people who have left us, in such an inspiring way. Sad feelings cannot disappear, but you help people celebrate it all with happy events and see things in a different way, through the kid’s eyes! And you and all the staff have been, and always are, great at this!”