Children, staff and parents returned to new-look to Shute Community Primary School grounds at the beginning of the summer term last week.
Over the Easter holidays members of the PTFA worked hard to transform the outside spaces at the school. The works included installing a new climbing dome, repainting fences and walls, creating a large new outdoor blackboard for the children to draw on, revamping the existing outdoor stage area and seating, cleaning the existing play equipment, planting up a herb garden, supplying parasols and picnic benches, and bringing in pots and seeds for every child to grow a sunflower this term. The works are part of a large scale and ongoing effort by the school to improve on the existing grounds for learning, play and all forms of recreation.
“It looked amazing when we arrived back after the holidays. The children were particularly excited to see a huge blackboard area for drawing on what was previously a wall. So wonderful to see the extraordinary work done by members of the PTFA, staff and other parents,” said Patrick Germscheid, head of learning at the school.
The re-vamping of the school grounds was made possible by a huge fundraising effort carried out by the PTFA over the last year. Despite all the difficulties caused by the lockdown, when the school was able to operate, activities brought in over £3000 in the last 12 months. In addition to this various local organisations, businesses and individuals have donated in kind or otherwise. This has included a donation of a large amount of drawing chalk by The Works, chalk board paint from JDC Taunton, sunflower pots from Tony Benger Landscaping, bark chippings from Lisle Burrough, benches from Ian Styles of Axminster Property, compost and the transport of parasols from Keith Sweetland of SAK Logistics, and a cash donation from Shute Festival.
“We are so proud of what we have collectively achieved. It has been a very difficult year indeed for the school community – staff, children and parents – in all sorts of different ways. But throughout what has kept us going is the collaborative spirit and willingness of the PTFA team to think creatively about how to improve our school,” said a member of the PTFA.
‘Shute Primary is thriving thanks to the hard work of the teachers and the PTFA, many of whom gave up their time to do grounds work over the Easter break. We are also very grateful for the generous support of parents and donors who have gone out of their way to raise money and donate goods. We look forward to implementing many more fundraising projects and exciting plans for the School in the months to come.”
Shute Community Primary School is always open to inquiries from prospective parents. Anyone who is interested in joining the school should contact Mrs Angela Hayson, the school administrator on admin@shute-primary.org.uk. The PTFA also welcomes donations for its projects to improve the spaces and experiences for children outside of the curriculum. Anyone who is interested in making a donation please contact the school.