SCHOOL NEWS: Wessex Watermark Award for Greenfylde

THE Greenfylde First School at Ilminster has won a £500 Wessex Watermark Award which will help to repair the school pond.

The repairs will include a new liner and regenerate the surrounding area to include planting which allow pupils to get involved and watch the pond’s watery wildlife.

Wessex Water’s education officer, Sue Goodland, will be visiting the school with the Watermark Award to meet pupils and staff on Monday (May 9, 2016).

Making the pond viable for wildlife again will fit in with the school’s long term plans to give their children hands on experience with their immediate environment.

“The pond is just the beginning of our plans to introduce a small wetland habitat for the school” said Claire Oaten, Greenfylde’s headteacher.

“Along with repairing the pond we want to reinstate a patch of meadow to encourage insects and birds. We are fortunate to have a very supportive Parent, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA) who have raised money for our gardening classroom project.

“We will be creating garden champions in our Eco Club who will encourage and support other pupils.

“These two projects – our garden classroom and repairing the pond for wildlife – have taken a while to complete but thanks to the children for their enthusiasm, the PTFA and this Wessex Watermark we can now look forward to enjoying them both.”

The Watermark Award provides funds for environmental projects within the Wessex Water area. Now in its twenty second year, it has supported over 900 environmental initiatives. Organised by The Conservation Foundation, all projects are judged by a panel chaired by its President - David Bellamy.

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