The new term at Wylye Valley C of E Primary School, Codford, was bound to be different with many children having been off for nearly six months and Government guidelines dramatically changing the day to day routine in the school.
Separate entrances for each class, restricted movement around the school and hand-sanitising stations at each doorway – it’s been a busy couple of months – not to mention the routine general maintenance and repairs during the summer holiday.
This summer, there was even more going on behind the scenes. A special garden within the school grounds was given a complete overhaul. The garden was created in memory of former pupil Louis Coldwell. It is a place close to the hearts of the staff and pupils, where children can take a quiet moment at break times away from the hustle and bustle of life and is affectionately referred to as Louis’s garden. The garden (still Louis’s) now has a giant ‘Bill and Ben’ sculpture planted up with a variety of herbs, including mint, rosemary and thyme, providing sensational aromatic scent and colour throughout the year.
The man behind the transformation is Gary Belfield, a familiar face at Wylye Valley Primary as he runs the popular after-school gardening club and also goes into school to teach the children about growing and nurturing their environment for future generations. Reception children in Little Einsteins are particularly taken with it and have already familiarised themselves with the two characters overseeing the new garden.
“It’s been an absolute joy to see the children touching and smelling the plants,” said Georgie Baker (reception teacher). “Once again, Gary has done a fantastic job. It’s the perfect start to the school year and a real treat for the children and teachers alike.”