Students at St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School are trading pencils for planters as they transform a quiet courtyard into a sensory prayer garden designed to nurture calmness and reflection. Supported by a £500 grant from Mendip and District Round Table 642, this project aims to engage all five senses through carefully selected plants and features.
Five raised beds have been installed and will soon be filled with flowers and plants chosen to stimulate sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound. The initiative is spearheaded by the school’s pupil wellbeing champions in collaboration with the chaplaincy team, highlighting a commitment to wellbeing, inclusivity, and environmental care.
This sensory garden is part of a broader effort to embed values of community, positive relationships, and healthy lifestyles into the daily life of the school. Recently, students also welcomed Paige from the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, who led workshops on river health, wildlife protection, and sustainability. Together, they installed drainage planters and learned about reducing water runoff, creating mini ponds, and conserving water through effective use of water butts.
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Headteacher Mrs Croker expressed her enthusiasm for the project: “We are delighted to see our sensory prayer garden taking shape and grateful to Mendip and District Round Table 642 for their support. This garden gives pupils the opportunity to explore their senses, connect with nature, and promote wellbeing. It’s inspiring to see our wellbeing champions and chaplaincy team bring this vision to life.”
Helen Taylor, CEO of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust, praised the initiative: “The sensory garden at St Benedict’s exemplifies how our schools provide enriching, hands-on learning experiences. Projects like this foster both academic growth and personal development while building a deep appreciation for community and the environment.”
Through this sensory garden and ongoing environmental education, St Benedict’s is creating meaningful opportunities for students to care for their surroundings, develop teamwork skills, and cultivate a profound respect for the natural world.