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Dhoon School opens artificially grassed and log-cabin classroom

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Grassy Turf And Log CabinDhoon School opened a new artificially grassed area and log-cabin classroom at the far side of the school on Tuesday morning. Around 100 people, including pupils, parents, staff, governors and guests attended a ceremony which saw John Faragher of the Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment cut the red-ribbon and officially declare the facility open for business. 

Headteacher Max Kelly explained the idea behind the outdoor classroom came from a need to redevelop the existing plot of land that had been unused for some time.

'Given that Dhoon School is surrounded by gorgeous Manx countryside, a new facility was proposed which would give rise to a wonderful opportunity for the children to access the countryside much more regularly and meaningfully as part of their education.'

The school is currently in the process of equipping the area with appropriate teaching and learning equipment such as big planters for Manx flowers, bird tables and a whole array of other resources to help the children learn about the Manx countryside and outdoor science. This project is educational and some of the aims include:

  • Enabling children to learn about the Manx countryside – within the Manx countryside
  • Growing, caring for, learning about and maintaining Manx wildlife, flowers and plants
  • Mini-beast trials and hunts
  • Bird tables and learning about birdlife
  • Rural science and associated science and geography work
  • Community use

In addition to making full use of the outdoor learning area as part and parcel of lessons for the pupils, the school envisages allowing it to be used by all members of the Manx community at weekends and other out-of-school hours. Dhoon School is one of only 149 Centres of Excellence for inclusion in the UK, and the community-use aspect of the project was a vital component of the development, in keeping with the school’s inclusive ethos. For example, a group of people might need a base for a walk, or a stop off point during a countryside hike. Another example might be using the outdoor classroom with adult community groups.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Max Kelly paid tribute to those who had helped bring the project to fruition:

'Huge thanks must go to the Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment who provided Dhoon School with a generous donation to enable this facility to progress from plans to reality. We also recognize the contribution of the Maughold Social Club who provided funds which have enabled us to run power to the log-cabin and put down vinyl flooring, and to the NFU who have donated funding towards the new educational equipment and resources. Local company, Groundcare, also did a fabulous job in installing this facility and have finished it to a high standard.'

The opening ceremony also saw the unveiling of the name of the log-cabin which the Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment had asked the children to select through a competition. The winning entry, Balla Childher which is an Anglo-Manx fusion translating to 'Place for Children' was said by the judges to reflect the purpose of the facility, the Manx community and the Maughold / Garff area. The entry came from pupil Isabella Kerruish, aged 8, who was surprised and delighted to find that her suggestion was the chosen name. Isabel said:

'I am very delighted to have won this competition. I got the idea for the name by talkingto my Grandpa.'

Manx Radio visited the facility to record an edition of the 'Countryside' programme which will explore the facility in more detail and includes interviews with the school’s Student Council who have also been involved in the project.

Dhoon School (1)

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