Green-fingered youngsters at a Bedlington primary have helped to create a new memorial garden space in the school grounds.
The garden
The Reflection Garden space at St Bede’s was developed by a father of two of the school’s pupils.
Areas in the garden are allocated to each year group to plant and maintain.
It’s also a permanent memorial to a much-loved member of the school family.
Headteacher Therese Worrall said:
“The children wished for the area to be a place where children and adults could reflect upon past, present, and the future,”
“It can be a prayer space for children, and it can also be a place of growth.”
As well as the children taking part in the project, St Bede’s is keen for parents and carers to get involved.
“We would love the children to work with their grown-ups from home to maintain what is there and plant new flowers and shrubs,” continued Mrs Worrall.
“Each class will have the bed year after year, with the Year 6 children passing to the new Reception each September.
“Gardening can be done at the beginning or end of the school day, and, if anyone has any spare time during the day, they are also very welcome to come and help.”
Joan Riley memorial
Designed to promote calm and foster a love of nature, the space also features a memorial plaque to Joan Riley, a former governor and teacher at the school, a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust.
Besides her long-standing role as school governor, Mrs Riley saw her children and four grandchildren attend the school and was a parishioner at St Bede’s Church.
“There are some very important people who helped St Bede’s become the wonderful school that it is, and one particular person was Mrs Joan Riley,” explained Mrs Worrall.
“She was key to the school developing at the beginnings to a new chapter as it converted from a first school to a primary school in 2010. Joan continued to provide strong, strategic leadership as Chair of Governors for many years – she was also the voice of reason for me as a headteacher.
“Sadly, Joan passed away in September 2020, and she is a huge miss to all who loved her, including the St Bede’s community.”
This article is based on a Press Release.
