St Brigid’s launch new fundraiser for outdoor multi-sensory garden

St Brigid’s School in Mullingar has started a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of a wellbeing, multi-sensory garden for students.

Principal Joanne Jordan says the vision is to convert an area of unused ground into a “tranquil and inspiring outdoor learning environment”.

The planning has been a democratic process and staff, parents and, most importantly, students have been involved.

The garden will have a number of different zones to stimulate all the senses, including a performance arts area, a music classroom, and plants and vegetables can be grown.

Ms Jordan says that giving the students a say has been a key component of the project.

“The vision is to incorporate our students’ voice while creating this sacred space and much-needed area. We are hoping to have facilities within the sensory garden to engage all of our senses and to provide a beautiful environment for students to explore sound, sight, taste, touch and smell using a vast range of colourful apparatus. This area will include outdoor musical equipment, flower beds, multi-sensory surfaces, a performing arts area, a social circle and designated areas for each class to develop a creative space. This sensory garden will be used across the curriculum in all class levels to enhance our pupils’ daily school experience.”

School life has changed almost beyond recognition since Ms Jordan was appointed principal following the retirement of her predecessor Bob Keating in 2019.

From getting used to online classes to returning to school in mid-February, she says that pupils and staff acquitted themselves remarkably well during what has undeniably been a challenging time.

“The students are amazing. They are so resilient. It is tough for them and tough for the staff because they are very segmented. They are bubbled to protect the students and staff as much as possible because our aim is to stay open.”

Thanks in no small part to financial support from Mullingar Lions Club, during the last lock down the school built four covered outdoor classes, which are proving popular.

“It’s a great facility to have. Even on wet days the children can get out for some fresh air. It keeps everyone safer as well. The students absolutely love it. It has just become a natural extension to the classroom.”

Outdoor classes have gone so well that they will remain an integral part of the school’s timetable, post pandemic, Ms Jordan says.

“Hopefully we will be able to move away from masks in the future, but the outdoor lessons have already become embedded in our school policy and daily routine. We have been doing them since February and we can already, as a staff, see the benefits.

“I know Covid is a horrific pandemic and people have suffered seriously with family loss, illness and jobs, but this is like one little silver lining for our students. It helped us get a bit of funding. It helped us get new facilities in place for them and it helped us get them outside. It’s amazing how a bit of fresh air and sunlight enhances children’s learning,” she said.

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser for the sensory garden click here.