An ‘outdoor classroom’ and ‘reflection space’ to help pupils’ alleviate stress has been introduced at Perth Grammar School.
Over the summer months the garden has been tidied up and an area of the school grounds has been flattened out to make it more manageable - just in time for the start of term.
Support from the wider community - including former pupil Connor Park, Murthly Sawmill, and Aviva volunteers - has provided the team with groundworks, materials, wood chips and transportation for the mental health project.
The school intends to make the outdoor classroom accessible for all departments with Saints in the Community set to get involved in the coming weeks.
Organiser Lorraine McNamara of Aviva, who has had a long-standing affiliation with the school, said: “It has been a really good project. The existing allotment became tired and overgrown.
“After lockdown we were struggling to get people to do anything outside. I am grateful for all the help we have received.
“We want the space to eventually become a reflection garden, also for some of the Perth Grammar pupils that have passed away.
“It is a nice space for pupils to come to if they are not feeling great. If they are stressed out or are needing a break.
“And it is mostly finished before the pupils come back this month.
“I am retiring now so Saints in the Community will help take it over and plant some vegetables with the community.
“We will also look at planting autumn plants to bloom next year. It is exciting.”
Lucy McIntosh, pupil support teacher at Perth Grammar School, said: “We will continue with this task over the autumn/winter terms.
“We believe it can an excellent whole school resource and it has been very kind of our community partners to support us in this way.”
