A Carlisle school hosted students, staff and families for the Central Summer Fair last week which also marked the opening of the academy’s Memorial Garden.
Over 60 students from Central Academy and staff took part in the creation of the Memorial Garden which was designed to provide a quiet and calm space for students and staff to think and reflect.
Importantly, it is a space the school community can visit to remember and pay tribute to Central Academy students who have tragically lost their lives in recent years.
The Sustainable Central Eco Club worked closely with the school’s Art Club to design and build the Memorial Garden in what was formerly a disused area of the school playground.
The focus of the garden is a large wooden planter upon which the Art Club has painted an impressive mural, featuring colourful artworks inspired by the people and places around them, as well as a poem written by Year 10 student Jayden Lee Ruddick.
Year 10 student Kavin said: "It has been great seeing students of all ages coming together to create this space. We hope that everyone enjoys using it as an outdoor learning area, to relax at break times and to remember. We also hope the garden will inspire more students to join us and learn about looking after nature.”
Students also took the lead in setting up and running various stalls and games to raise funds for several charities, including Macmillan and Eden Valley Hospice and the Memorial Garden Maintenance Fund.
Dan Markham, Principal at Central Academy, said: "It was fantastic to welcome so many members of our local community to our Central Summer Fair and to use this opportunity to unveil our Memorial Garden.
"The project was an incredible, collective effort and I have no doubt that it will remain a special and meaningful place for students and staff over the coming years. Thank you to all those whose efforts made the Memorial Garden a reality, and likewise to all students and staff whose tireless work made this year’s Summer Fair such a memorable and successful occasion."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here