Waterside School’s gardening club once again blooms success
The pupils of Chesham Waterside School were held up as great gardeners when they were honoured with two top awards.
The children won the Chesham In Bloom award for the second successive year for their flower display around the school. Hanging baskets and flower tubs were beautifully presented around the school where they were judged to the best in the region.
For winning the Chesham In Bloom award, they were entered into the prestigious Thames and Chilterns Mark Mattock Schools Challenge trophy.
The trophy isan impressiveglass shield awarded to a primary school that best encourages its children to participate in gardening in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire.And they won this, too.
The awards were presented by Buckinghamshire County Councillor and Chesham Mayor, Noel Brown, along with In Bloom Chairman, Allen Tilsbury, during a school assembly.
The children received their own individual trophy for their efforts.
Noel Brown said: “I am very proud to be able to present these awards to the children of my local Waterside School. They have dedicated a lot of their own time to the club and thoroughly deserve the awards. They are truly becoming great gardeners!”
For the past three years, longstanding volunteer Andy Ford and teacher Laura Bullenthorpe have been co-ordinating the gardening club. Each term, around 20 pupils from acrossKey Stage 2are guided by Andy and Laura during their lunchtimes as they grow an array of flowers and vegetables.
All of the produce grown is put to good use. Hanging baskets have been sold, vegetable sales often occur after school, and children are able to take produce home to cook. Any profits are invested back into the club.
Jennifer Gamble, Acting Headteacher, said: “We are immensely proud of our gardening club and of the hard work and dedication shown by Andy, Laura and the pupils. Receiving the awards is nothing less than the gardening club deserves.
“Through the gardening club, the pupils have learned how to be self-sufficient and entrepreneurial, while also developing their ability to work in a team. The club has grown and blossomed with the pupils and it’s wonderful to see all of their hard work paying off.”