What an amazing community we are! Over a hundred people joined our Dalkey School Project Community Planting Day which took place last Saturday 14th March.
The event organised by Dalkey School Project Green School’s Committee in partnership with DSP PTA and DLR Parks was sponsored by Sense of Wonder Forest School.
All members of the community; children, parents, staff, neighbours & local councillors came together to create a thriving native hedgerow and orchard for the community. The event which demonstrated DSP’s commitment to prioritise and promote sustainability in our daily routines also helped to ensure we continue to maintain mutually beneficial child-centred relationships between the school and the wider community.
With the theme Hey Hedgerow!, the event came at the end of a week of child-centred nature based activities for National Tree Week. Please see previous blog post.
Hey Hedgerow!
The community, which was buzzing with teamwork, happiness and goodwill, was fuelled by not just the wonderful sweet treats, tea and coffee but also by the wonderfully abundant sunshine! It was a joyful morning of planting, creativity, music and storytelling.
Hedgerow and Orchard planting
All along the newly installed fence adults and children worked to prepare soil, dig holes and plant Hawthorn, Spindle and Holly. At the same time, others were busy digging larger holes to plant 8 new apple trees.
Music
Cara from Sense of Wonder Forest School and Ellie (parent) led the music for the morning, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere while the sun shone.
Nature Art
Sinéad and Emma also from Sense of Wonder Forest School facilitated creative art circles inspired by hedgerow wildlife. Happy children got to experience many art activities including willow weaving, natural clay molding, Hapa zome (a Japanese technique for creating art by hammering fresh leaves and flowers into fabric or paper to release their natural pigments) and making magic wands!!
Storytelling
Susan hosted a storytelling circle centred on hedgerow creatures, seasonal cycles, and folklore connected to native trees and wildlife. Stories invited inquisitive and excited children into the imaginative world of birds, insects, and woodland animals.
Wishes
There was also a wishing tree with nature filled wishes by children from DSP written on rags and tied to the trees. Wishes included ‘My wish is for birds to feast on these trees’, ‘I hope our trees grow big and strong’ and ‘I wish we could have Forest School in Sallyglen’.
Hey, Hey Hedgerow
The event finished with a closing circle. Participants were led by Ellie and Cara in a performance of the “Hey Hey Hedgerow” song; a song specially written for the occasion by Yuuki (parent & Forest School leader), Saya (Yuuki’s daughter) and Ellie (parent).
A massive, massive thank you to Sarah Sheeran and Daniel Walsh who made this possible. Sarah and Daniel worked collaboratively with the parks department of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to make the hedgerow and orchard a reality.
Also a special thank you to Anne Murray DLR Biodiversity Officer and DLR Park Supervisor Finian Ward for their input, advice and collaboration.
We would also like to thank all the local Councillors who came along and not just to support the initiative but also to help with the planting; Cllr Martha Fanning, Cllr Thomas Joseph, Cllr Tom Kivlehan, Cllr Carrie Smyth and
Thanks to everyone involved, our children will have access to more nature and nature based activities for generations to come!
