Chilton pupils inspired to plant trees after Courtstairs volunteer day

Chilton pupils with Maxine Morgan and Nik Mitcheell

Being an integral part of their local community is an important lesson for children at Chilton Primary in Ramsgate.

Their latest project has been to lend a hand with a volunteering project at Courtstairs Park on the town’s West Cliff near their school.

And they have been so inspired by their work that they are now researching the various ‘free tree’ initiatives available to plant saplings in their school grounds.

Head of School Kate Law said: “Our pupils are encouraged throughout their time at Chilton to understand and appreciate that they are an important part of a wider community.

“We discuss volunteering and supporting others, whether it is local conservation projects and charities or national fundraisers like Children in Need and Comic Relief. They develop a strong social responsibility and this will certainly be important as they advance through education into adult life.

“They loved working with the Courtstairs Park programme and now want to source free trees that we can plant out at Chilton.”

Hundreds of pupils from all year groups took it in turns to visit the park in shifts and worked through the day with adult volunteers.

They helped plant 4000 daffodils and provided decorated small rocks that will be hidden around the park waiting to be discovered by others.

Nik Mitchell, who runs Wildlife Conservation in Thanet, told the children: “The bulbs will flower and encourage all sorts of wildlife from beetles and bugs to birds. The daffodils will flower into a beautiful yellow carpet.”

He said it is important for children to be involved in initiative like Courtstairs Park at a young age, adding: “They are interested in what they are doing for the area and in the other activities they can see. Their little project will have a big impact.”

The overall programme was co-ordinated by the Maxine Morgan and the Western Undercliff Regeneration Group whose members were also joined by local residents, students from East Kent College, volunteers from Pfizer at Sandwich, and staff from Hume planning consultancy.

Work was also carried out in the memory orchard, the children’s play area, pathways, the woodland and painting a large container unit. The work was funded by Ramsgate Town Council and Kent County Council

Chilton Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

2 Comments

  1. The commemorative garden looks so much better now,just the back wall to tidy up andweed.Thank you to all involved

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