Sensory Garden comes Alive
As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations our students and teachers have been busy growing plants for the sensory garden and we will see the installation of benches, arches, a water feature and planters in the coming weeks.
None of it would have been possible with the immeasurable dedication of Mr. Ed Carty, who coordinated every element of the project and encouraged the involvement of as many students and staff as possible. He even included a water feature that is a mini ecosystem and contains not just plant life but also goldfish! A big thanks to Brendan Ceccarelli who also helped design and crafted the beautiful wood structure in the garden - he is a craftsman extraordinaire. Thank you to everyone who helped with the garden and the beautiful mural that surrounds it.
Fr. Robert PP formally blessed the garden on Tuesday May 6th and dedicated it to Blessed Edmund Rice. Sr. Bernadette, the Diocesan Advisor also attended the service. They were most complimentary about the garden and full of praise of the staff and students they met on the day.
The First Years attended the celebratory mass with their guests; artist Fionnuala Halpin and her team (Hugo Neuroth, Daniel O Brien and Iosif Luca), Brendan Ceccarelli - member of the Parents' Council, and representatives from the L2LP Horticulture and Woodcraft classes, SEN team, Students' Council and Amber Group.
They had a lovely tea party afterwards, catered by Debbie, Emma, and Tony, with logistics expertly managed and monitored by their Year Head Ms. Thompson. The First Years were wonderfully well-behaved and engaged very positively with all their roles in the prayer service.
Bernadette Hennessy and her choir provided a beautiful musical accompaniment to Ms Lynn's thoughtful prayer service.
A big thanks also to Damien Brady from Larkhill and District Credit Union was in attendance as the Credit Union provided most of the funding for the garden. Damien is a past pupil of St. Aidan's and as such has been a fantastic support to the school. Well done to all involved.