School gets multi-sensory garden, courtesy Murphy International staff
A new multi-sensory garden at Scoil Bhride Athgarvan is thanks to the joint efforts of school pupils and more than 25 staff at locally-based Murphy International, writes Brian Byrne. The project was completed over the summer.
Murphy was approached by the school's Wellbeing Committee last November to sponsor the project, under the company's Giving Back Days initiative, which allows employees two paid days each year to support a community organisation, school or charity of their choice. The application was successful, and for the rest of the last school year, pupils contributed designs for the garden to the Student Council.
Murphy employees then spent over 300 hours repurposing waste and other materials during the summer, including concrete pipes, speed bumps, tree stumps, pallets and huge cable spools, into play elements for the garden, located on a previously unused patch of school land. It was officially opened last Wednesday.
Marion Sherlock, Principal of Scoil Bhríde, said it is an understatement to say that the team at Murphy has exceeded all expectations. "They took the brief the children gave them, including the focus on sustainability, and they made sure to put their needs and ideas at the heart of every element of this incredible space.” She added that the garden will, through outdoor play and exploration, support the development of motor skills for the children, aid problem-solving and spatial awareness, enhance cognitive development and focus, and help with emotional regulation.
Murphy International's Ireland operations have been headquartered in Newbridge since 1968. Managing Director John Murphy says the company is proud to have supported a variety of social value initiatives since. "What makes this particular project so impressive, however, is the fact that the creation of this garden was led by the students," he said. "The Scoil Bhríde students’ initiative and creativity made this garden happen, and they should all be very proud of what they have achieved here."
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