An old garden area at Rhos-y-Fedwen Primary School in Ebbw Vale has been transformed into an epic outdoor learning area for the youngest learners thanks to Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd.
After visiting the school shortly before COVID lockdown to talk to pupils about his career and business, the owner Mr Alun Griffiths was won over by the school and its pupils. He said that if they designed their dream outdoor learning zone then he would help to make it a reality.
Now the new area is complete, featuring a story circle; mud kitchen; working spaces; maths and literacy areas; physical development activities; a stage and even a tunnel and bridge.
To say the children and staff are delighted with their new learning zone would be an understatement.
Head-teacher Keri Smith says:
鈥淭he foundation phase garden was a really sad space with nothing but a play house, and we did not have a dedicated outdoor space for Foundation Phase that actually supported the children鈥檚 learning.
鈥淭hat all changed following a visit to the school by Alun Griffiths, organised by his company鈥檚 fantastic educational outreach team, and here we are today with this absolutely wonderful space in which our children can learn and play. How brilliant that this local company is giving back to the community and inspiring future generations to reach their potential 鈥� who knows some of them could be their future workforce.
鈥淲e simply cannot thank them enough!
鈥淭hank you also to Michele Jones, our STEM Co-ordinator at the school, who has worked closely with Alun Griffiths in planning and delivering the project.鈥�
Mr Alun Griffiths says:
鈥淲hen I visited Rhos-y-Fedwen School I was very impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff to give pupils the best in education. I recognised the gap in Foundation Phase learning and offered to help. With co-operation from the school and my team what has been created will, I hope, further the education of early learners and hopefully in the future they will be in the construction industry as we need great people. It has been a pleasure to support Rhos-y-Fedwen School.鈥�
The school is also due to undergo some extensive re-modelling work as part of the 21st Century Schools Programme, a partnership between Blaenau Gwent Council and the Welsh Government. Some of this work will create opportunities for the school to work even more closely with families and the wider local community - something Rhos-y-Fedwen Primary really prides itself on.
Ms Smith added:
鈥淲e鈥檙e at the heart of the community and our families are as important to us as the children themselves. There are very exciting times ahead for the school 鈥� and we can鈥檛 wait to share all the details with our families and the community.鈥�
Councillor Gareth Davies, a governor at the school and local ward member for Rassau, says:
鈥淩hos-y-Fedwen is a fantastic school right at the heart of the community here in Rassau, and I鈥檓 very proud to be a Governor there over the past few years and see the school go from strength to strength.
鈥淭here are even more positive times ahead for the school with some exciting improvements planned to the school building to enhance teaching and learning opportunities, starting with this amazing outdoor area courtesy of Alun Griffiths Construction. What a wonderful thing to do for our learners, thank you.鈥�
Griffiths Construction also donated sets of hard hats, hi-vis vests and protective gloves to the school.
The children were heavily involved in choosing what they would like to be in the new area and are now voting on a name.