Friday the 22nd of October saw the first DYW school project launch after 18 months. The Astra Gardens project at Ardrossan Academy hosts a large poly tunnel for growing vegetables and herbs, whilst the garden area has impressive planters with flowers, cabbages, brussel sprouts and a huge pumpkin patch.
Denise Harvey is the Lead teacher on Astra Gardens and is also Ardrossan Academy’s Science Teacher. This project was designed to help young people learn valuable horticulture and rural skills. With the introduction of two beehives, Denise and the pupils are hoping to start understanding how as pollinators, bees play a part in every aspect of the ecosystem. They’re hoping to produce and sell their own Ardrossan Academy honey too.
The launch comes as the first event since the COVID-19 pandemic so was a real celebration. In attendance was Provost Ian Clarkson, North Ayrshire Council, Lindsay Monteith, Faculty Head of Science, Anne Anderson, Head Teacher, Lorna Gibson, Chair of the DYW board, Glenn Hays and Jane McFadzean from DYW Ayrshire and Walter Smith who supported the school with the project from the initial stages. The pupils, Holly, Taylor and Christopher gave impressive speeches on the importance this project has on their school and on them as individuals.
