St Stephen's bring dreams of Outside Classroom to life

St Stephen’s BNS Waterford have embraced the Lasallian Leavening Fund initiative to achieve their dreams of an Outside Classroom to life.

With the help of a Go Fund Me page set up by the Parents' Association, the school community has come together to create a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle of school life.

This is a space that small groups and whole classes can use for time out, for teaching and learning and for quiet reflection. It is also a great space for boys with additional needs. St Stephen’s BNS is right in the heart of Waterford City and has nearly 400 pupils, so many of the boys live in apartments and have no access to an outside space. To have this garden area available to them to use in school is amazing and helps the boys learn about the world around them.

The Animation Team who is made up of six staff members have been heavily involved with the Outside Classroom. The staff (4) and pupils (13) that make up the Student Council helped with the planning and development of the space too. The Gardening Club (2 staff members and 16 pupils) have also been involved to.

The school has been successful in applying to the Leavening Fund again this year, and the plan is to buy some climbing equipment and also purchase a polytunnel for the growing of fruit and vegetables.