CPC polytunnel officially opened

A new polytunnel at Cross and Passion College could ‘spawn a love of both recreational gardening and horticulture’ that will benefit students throughout their lives, writes Brian Byrne. That view was expressed by Cllr Suzanne Doyle, a past pupil of the college, when she cut the ribbon to officially open the facility today.

The polytunnel has been in use since it arrived at Easter and was the idea of CPC Leaving Cert Applied coordinator Sabrina Mills. Funded by the school board of management, it is already giving LCA and TY students the opportunity to learn about growing plants and food in reality rather than just seeing pictures on a page. Cllr Doyle said it offers a real opportunity to gain a knowledge of sustainability through very practical traditional ways.

CPC principal Joe Leonard said the location for the polytunnel was just a ‘patch of grass waiting for an idea’ and when Sabrina Mills’s idea came along, it was “an instant yes.” The enclosed area has also been decorated with artwork provided by the CPC art teachers.

Ms Mills thanked everybody from the board and staff who had helped to make the project possible. She said the idea had come from the annual review undertaken with students, staff, and parents. “What came across was that our students really loved the practical side of the LCA programme and that they loved learning outside the classroom.” 

Noting that the polytunnel was just an idea last year and now a reality, she gave particular credit to the students. “They’re just the most fantastic group. They’re so creative and hard-working, they just take an idea and they bring it from the planning stage to the final stage, and the results are always amazing.”

Transition Year coordinator Glenda Groome described the facility as an example of ‘real experiential learning’ that is a focus in the college. “All the evidence shows that students learn more effectively when they actually get to experience something. When you’re growing something, you begin to see the reward in a very short period of time.” She added that having the polytunnel provides the opportunity to sample homegrown flavours and understand the savings that can be made when you grow your own, as well as being useful in the climate change module for TY students.

Small presentations were made to teachers and a representative of the school’s board by some of the LCA students.

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