Wales in Bloom 2022 Schools Competition

All of our schools were invited to enter our annual Wales in Bloom Schools category competition. Unfortunately Ysgol Maesglas were unable to participate this year due to renovations in the grounds so the Mayor visited Ysgol Maes y Felin, St.Winefride’s Catholic Primary School and Ysgol Gwenffrwd throughout the past week.

As always all staff and pupils at the schools had put in a tremendous effort and it was a pleasure to visit.

YSGOL MAES Y FELIN

• The school boasts a gardening club although all children are all encouraged to actively participate in all aspects with at least one child from every class involved. Lessons are also taught outdoors wherever possible.
• The pupils have grown many plants from seed.
• All classes have plants on windowsills and eco themed paintings on the glass.Recipes have been written on the glass to include the fresh ingredients being grown.

• The vegetable garden has peas, beans, carrots, chard, onions and lettuce amongst others.
• The school created seed bombs to be used in the eco area.
• Compost bins and water butts are evident throughout the school and are used regularly.
• Pupils took part in Expressive Arts Week using the theme “Take Action for our Environment” and have created large pieces of art which will displayed on the school walls at the entrance.
• ST WINEFRIDE’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

• The school are keen on recycling and repurposing, using used bottles to make greenhouses, and old teapots as bird feeders.
• The school invite parents & carers to participate in eco days.
• The school holds fundraisers such as coffee mornings and uniform sales to assist with the cost of eco products.
• Currently there are many fruits and vegetables that are being grown such as rhubarb, cucumbers and potatoes. The vegetables grown will be donated to the local food bank.
• Old bottles have been recycled and used as hanging baskets and bird feeders.
• The gardens are used as outside classrooms and there are spaces for children to use as reflection areas.
• Trees have been planted in pots and mixed with wild flowers to encourage pollinators.
• The orchards have many species of fruit trees.
• The school also makes bird seeds out of the sunflower seeds they grow.
• The school have a variety of bug hotels and hedgehog houses.
• The school is now appealing for old decking to be donated to make pathways within the eco/wild pond area.

YSGOL GWENFFRWD

• Bug hotels have been built at the side of the schools perimeter.
• Untended patches have been left by the trees surrounding the school to encourage pollinators.
• Many plants have been grown from seed or cuttings, kept in the classroom, moved to the polytunnel, then transferred to the yard.
• Re-wilding areas have been introduced to encourage pollinators
• Plants are mixed with the fruits and vegetables to encourage pollinating.
• After school club have been helping this year too
• The school grows tomato plants, sunflowers, raspberries, gooseberries, mint, chives, runner beans, potatoes, cabbages, onions, rhubarb & strawberries which are used in the canteen.
• Parents are asked to bring in unwanted potting containers
• The school is a peat free school.
• The school has regular visits from rabbits, foxes, badgers, moles, squirrels, woodpeckers & newts.
• The class endeavours to bring classroom learning outdoors.

After much deliberation Ysgol Gwenffrwd was declared the overall winner of 2022, although all schools were outstanding with their efforts. The Wales in Bloom judge will visit Ysgol Gwenffrwd on her town visit on Wednesday 6th July. The school will be presented with their shield in the new school year.