Tuesday 25 September 2018

Jim McColl at our Awards Ceremony

Back row: Head boy Calum Cumming, Ross Watson, Jim McColl, Colin Stirling Head teacher Mrs Pauline Buchan, Head girl Libby Copeman
Front row: Ryan Ellington, Ethan Allen, Shane Manders
We were all thrilled to be able to host gardening guru and Beechgrove Garden TV presenter Jim McColl on Friday 21st September.  He came with Colin Stirling (our Grow and Learn course moderator) to present the Awards to our S4 pupils.
The weather was somewhat challenging but we didn't let the wind and rain dampen our spirits!  In fact we had a wonderful time.
We were very happy to be able to use the two polytunnels - one for serving soup and sandwiches and the other for the actual ceremony.
Thankfully, the rain stopped so Dougal, Lewis and Jacob joined Jim and Colin on the patio.


There was time for parents and other guests to view the garden and chat to folk.
It was lovely to have so many people in the garden for such a special occasion.
Jim was very interested in all that we have been doing and enjoyed chatting to the boys.  It was great to see Mr Wilson back from the technology department chatting to them all as well - thanks for coming Mr Wilson!

We moved into the new polytunnel and the ceremony began.  Miss Swallow gave a speech to congratulate individual pupils for making the garden such a special place.  She was very happy to celebrate the Grow & Learn and ASDAN awards - both of which involved working in the garden.
She handed over to head teacher Mrs Buchan to talk about the ASDAN award.
Ethan was presented with a food hygiene certificate along with the ASDAN award...
...then Ellie-Mae went up to collect her ASDAN certificate.
Next, Mr Jim McColl was introduced and stood to present the Grow & Learn awards.
Jim was very impressed by the RIDAN hot composter - Ross had talked him through it whilst touring the garden.  Here, Jim presents Ross with the award.
One by one, everyone got presented with the Grow and Learn Award.


Jim then gave a speech himself talking about the virtues of gardening and how useful the skills pupils have been learning will be.

He was very entertaining.
At the end of the ceremony, Jim looked through the folders of work.
We also had a photo session so each pupil has a record of the special occasion.
A proud smile from everyone!

A huge thank you to all those who attended the ceremony.  You helped to make it a very special occasion that these youngsters will remember for a long time!
Another special thank you to head boy Calum who helped level the ground to lay boards for guests to keep their feet clean when moving between the two polytunnels.
The S2 group helped...
...then carried the chairs across...
...to set up the rows...
...and test them out of course!
We also completed our new TEAM CG sign to welcome people to the garden.
We also put one on the gate of the walled area which we will be designing, building and planting next!  Watch this space!! :)


Tuesday 18 September 2018

All hands on deck for our Awards Ceremony preparations!

Pupils, staff and volunteers have been busy this last couple of weeks.  We are all working hard to get the garden looking "spic and span" in preparation for an awards ceremony this Friday afternoon.  We are delighted to tell you that Mr Jim McColl (from BBC1 Scotland's Beechgrove Garden program) has kindly agreed to visit the garden and award our S4 pupils with their Grow and Learn certificates.  Our head teacher Mrs Pauline Buchan will also award senior pupils with their ASDAN certificates.
Weeding and mulching the new Long Border
Harvesting potatoes in the polytunnel...
...and feeding & mulching the tomatoes.  
We have plenty of rich mulch from our RIDAN hot composter.
Many seeds have germinated in the gravel around the bird feeder so Ryan got started on them...
 ... Liam and Jacob helped out too.
Meanwhile there was mowing to do...
...and strimming.  The boys kept going through several lunch sessions too!
Thank you to the janitors who brought a memorial seat over from the walled area...
...this will allow us to start developing a quiet reflective area of the garden spaces now so keep revisiting this blog to see future progress as there is still much to do!
Ryan and Ross test it out!  I think it met with their approval 😄
A huge leap forward has happened in the second polytunnel too.  Sand and slabs were delivered...

...thanks to the Peterhead branch of B&Q and local firm Ellon Timber for their free delivery.
Then, Liz our star volunteer turned the floor from this...
...to this!!  We hope to put chairs in here for the actual ceremony as the weather is a little unpredictable at this time of year.
It was great that ex-pupil Euan volunteered to come in and help carry slabs and sand to help out.


Talking of volunteers, our faithful team from Ellon Resource Centre also got stuck in with weeding borders and paths, sweeping, watering and generally tidying so a huge thank you to them too.
Additional support for learning and science teacher Sheila also completed new blinds for the large windows in the shed...
...so it is looking much better than old sacking!!
David the local farmer brought us more topsoil so that we can continue filling the new raised beds.  We also need to level the area between the two polytunnels to improve access for all, so still lots of work to do before Friday afternoon! 
Meanwhile our produce keeps growing!
The rainbow and rhubarb chard plants are looking great...
...and we have lots of fruit in the garden including crab apples, apples, raspberries and blackberries.
The wildlife too is all about - Darren likes the lady-birds.  We had a large stoat run past us here too but didn't manage to get a photo!