Little Orchard will show children lifecycle of growth

THE ten classes in Scoil Íde Primary School in Clondalkin are now responsible for one fruit tree each, following a tree planting in the school last Friday.

The project, spearheaded by teachers Laura Moore and Áine Crowley, saw ten fruit trees being planted in the school which the students will now take care of.

The school developed the project as part of the Green Schools Initiative and Challenge to Change, which focus on bringing environmental awareness to young learners.

Catherine Keane, principal of Scoil Íde, told The Echo: “We have limited green space available in our school, so we wanted to have a little orchard.

“It will show the children the lifecycle of growth, they will actually see what happens when they plant something – it grows, and it will go through the different seasons.

“The children have learned about why we planted the trees, and about looking after and nurturing them.”

The children are keen for the trees to begin sprouting fruit, which they will then get to enjoy and see the real-world effect of their tree-planting endeavour.

“They’re keen to see the fruits of their labour,” added Ms Keane. “They’re really looking forward to the summer, when the trees will grow fruit that they can eat.

“And for the children who planted the trees who are now in junior infants, they’re going to grow with the trees as they progress through the school.”