Gardening / Environmental Club

The Waringstown Primary School Gardening Club was initially started as an extra-curricular activity to encourage children to stay after school who were not involved in choir or sporting clubs in school. At present it consists of any Primary 7 pupil who wishes to enjoy a stress free afternoon, out in the open air, and who are eager to participate in practical tasks.

Over the last few years our activities have expanded from gardening to include the care of our school environment. On a seasonal basis, we plant bulbs and shrubs in the school grounds, are responsible for the planting of our own small garden area and have planted vegetables in the summer term. We have requested compost bins from Craigavon Borough Council and use these regularly to recycle our garden waste.

We now have established a very good relationship with the RSPB and have enjoyed several workshops taken by their Education Staff. Last year's club members were awarded the RSPB 'Bronze Award' for the work we completed around the school and our efforts to record and feed the many birds that visit the grounds.

We will continue with this award again this year, starting with the 'Big Bird Watch' in January and continuing with another 'hands on' session led by their team.

At Christmas, the Gardening Club members make up planters to give to friends and relations. We often sell window boxes at the School Craft fair, making a small profit from the bedding plants we have raised ourselves. We have been known to enjoy the fruits of our labour when our salad crop is ready for summer term!

Basic gardening equipment is provided by the school but children should have suitable footwear, gloves and a warm coat for the cold days of the autumn term.