A long while ago, far back in the history of Holland Haven Primary School, there was a pond and wildlife area. Many hands toiled to create a haven for our creatures, and a wonderful learning space. But time and the seasons have passed, and sadly this part of our beautiful school has become abandoned and neglected... and transformed itself into a wilderness.... UNTIL NOW!!!
Last week, an energetic and enthusiastic team of 5 boys tackled the wilderness, with a view to return the wildlife area to it's former glory. Armed with shears, and saws, and secateurs, and bundles of youthful energy, the boys worked tirelessly for 5 days solid - they learned to use a saw, to dig with a spade, to snip with secateurs, to lop higher and larger branches, and to work as a team for a common goal. They pulled dead wood out, as well as a whole load of other rubbish that had somehow found it's way into the area; they pushed wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow full into a skip and  raked and tugged at weeds, nettles and brambles, until eventually they had restored the beautiful area back to the peaceful and tranquil haven it was intended to be.
Huge congratulations to Charlz, James, George, Jacob and TJay - what an achievement - you have shown incredible determination, effort, resilience, problem-solving and most importantly, the ability to work alongside each other and support each other through to the end of a mountainous task. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Impey for her enthusiastic help and quick decision-making, to Mrs. Goldsmith for allowing us to "borrow" Mrs. Impey, to Mrs. Gilbert for her invaluable gardening and wildlife expertise, and to Mr. Bradbury for his help with organising the skip delivery and rubbish removal. 
A very special THANK YOU to all at County Skips for your extremely generous donation of the 8 yard gated skip - without which we would not have been able to make such rapid progress towards our goal. 
The new wildlife area is very much a work in progress - the pond needs some TLC so that it can provide a habitat for a wider variety of species, and the fencing that separates the area from the playground is going to be replaced.... watch this space!!
Have a look at the photos that document the transformation so far...