Storm-felled trees given new lease of life in outdoor classroom

Students at Scoil Mhuire with their teacher Denise Dowds pictured in the new outdoor classroom

placeholder image — Students at Scoil Mhuire with their teacher Denise Dowds pictured in the new outdoor classroom

Students enjoy outdoor lessons, lunch and chilling in shaded classroom

A local geography teacher has turned storm damage into a resourceful win for students at her school in Buncrana.

In the wake of Storm Éowyn, Scoil Mhuire geography teacher and Green Schools coordinator Denise Dowds contacted Drumfries-based agrictural consultant Henry O’Donnell to see if he had any fallen trees that could be repurposed as seating for an outdoor classroom.

Mr O’Donnell, whose daughter Ava is a student at the school, generously answered the call.

Over several deliveries, he provided logs from trees felled by the storm that have since been cut and varnished, transforming them into durable wooden seats.

These seats are now being used as part of the school’s outdoor classroom - a space designed to enhance wellbeing and provide students with an alternative setting for learning, or simply enjoying their lunch outdoors in the shade of sycamore trees by the school's running track and playing pitch.

Ms Dowds expressed her thanks to Henry O’Donnell for his support in getting the outdoor classroom up and running.