School Around The Cedar

On a sunny day, we reckon this school might just be as good as Disneyland On Mulch for the kids attending…

Up at St Patrick’s School in Curtlestown just outside Enniskerry, they’ve come up with a rather fine solution to those Covid-19 restrictions.

By building a classroom out in the woods.

One of the parents involved in building the outdoor Learning Lodge, Mark Bruton, explained to RTE, “A lot of the classroom was scrubland. All of the trees were overhanging and you couldn’t see in there. So, during August we cleaned all that up and levelled the ground. Then we arranged to get the benches and the blackboard.

And despite some very wet nights, the parents managed to get the job done. 

“There is a great sense of community up in Curtlestown,” adds Mark. “So, by doing this we feel like we gave a little back.”

And now the school has ended up with an outdoor classroom that gives their 65 pupils a chance to learn whilst nature – including a dominating view of The Great Sugar Loaf – acts as its four walls.

“It has been fantastic,” says Principal Mary Conroy. “The children are really calm when they are out here. They are very focused, apart from the odd buzzard that flies by and catches their attention…”

And the kids are pretty happy too. Says 12-year-old Danny O’Shea, “It’s absolutely amazing. I must really congratulate the parents who built it.”

So, grab your axes and shovels, people. We’ve just found a solution to that Greystones Community College fiasco.