​Growing A Better Future With The Glebe Ns Aughrim

Children of Glebe NS, Aughrim changing the future!

The children of The Glebe National School are growing a better future, through a range of exciting ecological projects in Aughrim. They recently planted twenty fruit trees in the rectory orchard - one for each child in the school.

​The trees were donated by two different charities, who are keen to encourage local communities to support biodiversity: DCs for Bees and Trees on the Land. Local gardeners, Thomas Dolan, Danny Reddan and Ross Weily helped the children in the work of planting.

“Planting trees helps the environment,” explains one student. “They give us oxygen and take the bad gas out of the air,” she explains. “Trees give a home to birds and animals,” adds a second child. “They help to welcome bees to the garden and that makes all the plants to grow better,” comments another.

It is all part of a fruitful collaboration between the school and wider community in recent years, on a number of exciting environmental initiatives. From seed-time to harvest, the students have lessons in two historic walled gardens, as part of The Rectory Garden Project.
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Reverend John Godfrey, Church of Ireland rector explained: “Learning to grow their own greens is helping the children to go green. Whether they are planting potatoes or picking tomatoes, the children are gaining invaluable insights into healthy eating, sustainable living and the cycles of nature. Most importantly of all, they are learning to be grateful and generous. And that’s what caring for the environment is all about.”