Parents, grandparents and children gathered on the Headmaster’s lawn on the afternoon of Monday 2nd July to celebrate the grand opening of the S. Anselm’s Secret Garden in true garden party style this afternoon!
From Pre-Prep to Year 5, everyone has joined together to produce a wonderful garden in a previously overlooked corner of the school grounds. It is clear how much the children have cherished the space, filling it with creative project work, including sensory stories, a minibeast mansion, giant birds nests, colourful pottery fish, bird feeders, a unique garden sundial and willow tree sculptures. There is even a peaceful story corner and a flourishing vegetable plot.
Mrs Phillips cut the silk tape to open the garden to guests and everyone assembled to watch Head Girl Katie Smith plant our very own S. Anselm’s rose. Mr and Mrs Smith contacted the Rose Society on hearing of our Secret Garden project and arranged for the very special pure white, highly scented hybrid tea rose to be named after our school. They have kindly gifted 25 of these rose specimens to school to mark Katie’s leaving. It is planned to plant 18 around the Headmaster’s Lawn from which to propagate a supply of roses as leavers’ gifts in future.
Guests moved between enjoying the Pimms, sandwiches and cupcakes on the lawn and admiring all the features of the garden, with the children as their guides. There were also short performances on the lawn from each of the Junior Years.
Congratulations to all the children and parents involved in creating such a special garden and our gratitude to all the parents who kindly made donations.
