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Embracing Nature in the 'School Farm and Garden'

Integral to the heart of Scoil Chormaic Special School lies a hidden gem that brings nature, education, and well-being together—the school’s beautiful 2-acre Farm and Garden. This vibrant space is not just a learning environment but a sanctuary where students engage with nature, develop essential life skills, and nurture both plants and animals. The Farm and Garden is a beloved feature of the school, boasting a variety of areas including raised garden beds, a walking path, two 20-metre polytunnels, a pasture for small animals, a hen coup, and a dedicated Relaxation Area above the soccer field (Mr. Isaac Shields).

Care of Animals: Building Responsibility and Compassion

One of the most cherished aspects of the School Farm and Garden is the care of animals. Students at Scoil Chormaic learn the importance of responsibility and empathy through hands-on experiences with a variety of small animals. The pasture is home each Spring-time to friendly calves and playful lambs, where students take on roles in feeding, cleaning, and tending to their needs.

Caring for Small Calves: For a 2-3 week period each Spring, students participate in feeding the calves with milk. Our Maths skills are enhanced, measuring in grams and litres and degrees Celcius when re-constituting the milk from milk powder. Also the animals need clean water, shelter and bedding, helping them understand the level of care required to raise healthy animals.

Bottle-Feeding Lambs: A favorite activity for many is bottle-feeding the lambs. We borrow ‘pet-lambs’ from an neighbouring farmer. This nurturing experience fosters a bond between the children and the animals, while teaching them patience and gentleness.

Collecting Eggs: Over at the hen coup, students collect freshly laid eggs each day, learning about the routine and commitment it takes to care for chickens. This activity also gives them a chance to observe the lifecycle of chickens, from incubating eggs to watching chicks hatch.

Incubating Chickens: Students eagerly monitor the incubators, where eggs are kept warm until they hatch. This process captivates the children, offering a magical glimpse into the beginning of life.

 

Through these experiences, students develop an appreciation for animals and nature, while also gaining practical life skills that enhance their confidence and self-esteem.

 

A Flourishing Garden: Flowers, Fruits,Vegetables, and Wildflowers.

The School Farm and Garden isn’t just about the animals—it’s a place where plants thrive and students immerse themselves in horticulture. The garden features colourful flowers, a wildflower plot ( by Ms. Laura Cummins), and an abundant vegetable garden that students maintain throughout the year.

Colourful Flowers: Bursts of vibrant blooms are scattered throughout the garden, providing students with a visually stimulating environment. Whether planting or watering, students enjoy caring for the flowers, which also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Wildflower Plot: The dedicated wildflower area is not only a beautiful feature but also an eco-friendly initiative that supports local biodiversity. Students learn about the importance of wildflowers for wildlife and the role they play in sustaining pollinators. This project is in it’s infancy and will flourish over the next few years.

Vegetable Garden: The heart of the garden are the vegetable plots, where students grow a variety of produce. Tending to the plants, watering, and weeding teaches them responsibility and patience, while harvesting gives them a sense of accomplishment. Some of the favorite crops include:

o Strawberries: The sweet success of growing strawberries is always a highlight. Students learn how to care for these delicate fruits, from planting to harvesting.

o Tomatoes: From seed to ripe fruit, students monitor the growth of tomatoes in the polytunnels, observing how sunlight and water affect their development.

o Lettuce: A staple in the garden, students plant and care for lettuce, learning how to grow healthy vegetables that contribute to the school’s cooking lessons.

 

Each season brings new growth, and the garden is an ever-changing classroom where students cultivate a love for gardening and develop an understanding of where their food comes from.

 

Raising Tadpoles and Frogs: A Lesson in Life Cycles

One of the more unique learning experiences at Scoil Chormaic is raising tadpoles and frogs. This project is in Phase 1, as frogs were released to the wild in 2024. The school’s garden needs a small, shallow safe pond where students can observe the incredible transformation of tadpoles into frogs. This hands-on lesson will them about animal life cycles, water habitats, and the importance of protecting wildlife.

 

Well-being Benefits: A Space for Peace and Reflection

The benefits of the School Farm and Garden extend beyond education—it serves as a space for promoting mental and emotional wellbeing. With the tranquil walking path from the trampoline area to the polytunnels, staff can assist pupils with ‘movement breaks’ and provide students with a peaceful environment to unwind and reflect.

 

Spending time in the garden has been shown to have profound benefits for the students, from reducing anxiety to boosting mood and concentration.

 

Practical ‘Farm and Garden’ Skills are linked to Junior Certificate Level 1 and 2 Priority Learning Units such as Personal Care – healthy food choices, growing foods for Cookery and doing work activities for the ‘Preparing for Work’ Unit. Also schools can undertake the following optional Short Courses: Horticulture Level 1 and Level 2 and Caring for Animals Level 2.

 

Caring for Animals: Animal breeds, animal health, daily care of an animal, animal diet and feeding. 

 

Horticulture: Identify common trees, shrubs and flowers, use a range of common gardening tools and equipment, planting your own vegetable or flower bed, learn about conditions that help plants grow and about safe working practices in the garden. 

 

A Living Classroom of Learning and Growth – The Scoil Chormaic Special School’s Farm and Garden is a living classroom, where every day offers new opportunities for learning, exploration, and personal growth.