The school community of St. Colmcille’s PS were delighted to proceed with the official opening of our Pond & Nature Area on Wednesday 8th June, by Father Murray (Parish Priest), Mrs Noreen Meehan (Chair of the Board of Governors), Mr Stephen Austin (Principal) and attended by pupil representatives from Foundation Stage, Key Stages 1 & 2 and our Learning Support Centres. The opening of the Pond & Nature Area is an important and exciting milestone in Phase 3 of our outdoor developments and represents an investment of £50,000. £9,470 of this overall amount was kindly donated by the Department of Infrastructure Living Spaces and Places Fund with rest coming from the careful management of school funds and our wonderful PTFA- who contributed approx. £15,000 to the project through numerous fundraising activities. This area of our school is now home to many native tree species, Wildlife Pond, complete with aquatic plants, fish, filtration and aeration systems, a water feature and sensory pergola shelter. There is an observation bridge with binoculars and a periscope, for pupils to observe the wildlife that will inhabit the area. Each year group in the school has a dedicated planter box, to explore growth and change throughout the different seasons. Also, around the Pond and Nature Area, there is a Nature Learning Zone with educational displays, providing information about the seasons, as well as different plants, animals and native tree species. Also included, is a Nature Discovery Zone, with a wormery and magnifying glasses and a shed for gardening equipment. A special thanks our head of Outdoor Education Mr Sean McReynolds, to Mr Lawrence Blaney, Mr Gareth Blaney and Mr Anthony Fitzsimons for volunteering their time and skills to enhance this area and thanks to numerous school staff for their ongoing efforts in upkeeping this area for the pupils to enjoy, including, Mr Brian Tweedie, Mr Bill Carew, Miss Lee Magee, Mrs Rosaleen Cunliffe, Miss Denise Sinclair, Mrs Katrina Smith, Mr Jack Hanna, and Mr Ryan Craig.