A teacher with over 38 years of service with the same Island school will be officially opening an Outdoor Activity Area that has been created at Kewaigue School by pupils with the help of The Children’s Centre.

The Outdoor Area will give the 135 pupils at the school a new space to climb, jump and create their own play adventures. Chris Gregory and Will Revill from The Children’s Centre together with the Year 6 children have built the new space over the course of a week, which includes a variety of bespoke wooden fixtures to compliment the primary school’s existing outdoor classroom provision.

Adrian Shorthouse, Headteacher, said ‘Following consultation, the School Council requested an outdoor activity area for use at playtimes. Chris and the children have worked very hard to create this area, which I’m sure will provide many hours of creative play for the children at Kewaigue.’

‘Many children and parents in the Island will have been taught by Mrs Gilmour over the years and benefitted from her skills, knowledge and passion for primary education. In recognition of her 38 years service to the school, it seemed fitting that the area was named after her in recognition of
her love for the school.’

Janet Gilmour said ‘I hope the children enjoy this play area as much as I have enjoyed my teaching career at Kewaigue School. My father’s family and my husband’s family both grew up in Kewaigue Village so I know a great deal of the history attached to the school. I have taught many children and their children, but as yet I haven’t taught any of their grandchildren!’

‘I feel honoured to have been asked to open this new play area and I know that the children will have great fun with it. Their imagination will run riot and turn this area into anything they want it to be. It will enable them to develop positive relationships with each other which will reinforce the 6Rs that we teach in school.’