Looking after chickens, growing vegetables and starting the day with a story around the campfire are not the usual things you'd typically expect to see at a Welsh primary school - but lockdown has taught one school in Pontypridd just how important it is to love the outdoors.
Since January 2021 children and staff at St Michael's Catholic Primary School have been working hard to develop an outdoor area to aid the school with social distancing, but it's quickly become much more than a space to sit in the sun.
The garden has become very special - not just because it's full of pretty flowers and you can see chickens running around - but also because it's developed into a cherished place for the children during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The project was started during lockdown to try and enhance and support the well-being, life skills and experiences of the little ones who attend the school.
Garden Lead, Miss Lauren Davies, said: "It was all based on the Covid hubs. We weren’t originally a hub school but from June onwards (last year) they introduced faith school hubs so we re-opened.
"Some of our staff are fully trained in forest schools and we spend a large amount of time outside. This is something we chose to carry into the hub, as it also helped with social distancing and being in an open space.
"The feedback from the hub was that was it was the most enjoyable part of the children’s experience, and we found it the most helpful activity for the children to maintain normality during the pandemic. From this we knew we needed to continue our outdoor area with more of a wellbeing aspect."
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After a bit of fundraising, some kind donations and with the support of a construction and development company the school have now managed to create a garden for all the children to enjoy and - for the kids - it's the best thing to have come out of lockdown.
The outdoor area, called 'The Axiom Garden', was officially opened on Thursday, July 8 and it's become a vital part of the children's learning.
From looking after chickens at their pen - Cluckingham Palace - to reading a book around the campfire at the start of the day, the entire project has taught the little ones just how special being outdoors can actually be.
When asked what it was like when the children first returned to school, Ms Davies said: "Most of them felt more comfortable being outside - they were able to socialise and they were able to learn in a safe environment at a time where they really needed to feel safe.
"After a while we thought 'how can we make this bigger?'"
The project now sees the children growing vegetables and looking after the five chickens, which have all been hatched on the school grounds.
As you can imagine the kids love looking after them and learning about the food chain. It's eventually hoped the school will also develop some form of farm cart (a small version of a farm shop) to enable the little ones to develop their entrepreneurial skills too.
"It's had a massive impact on welcoming the children back," Miss Davies added.
"When they first came back they didn't know what to expect.
"They were apprehensive coming back.
"They like being able to go outside and then come into the classroom. They start the day being outside by the fire toasting marshmallows then go back inside. They have been outside, but they are still doing and learning.
"They have spent a lot of time at home. They are more appreciative now of what they have got. They look forward to doing things outside. If they see a stick now their initial thought is to build a den. They have spent last 16 months or so inside so they are more appreciative than before."
Mrs Joanna Taylor, headteacher, said she is really proud and the hours of volunteer work and commitment will now create a lifetime of memories.
